TVRI Jambi has officially announced plans to host public viewing events—known as nonton bareng or nobar—for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The screenings will take place at the station’s main studio and the Cafe Dupa, located on the premises of the TVRI Jambi office, providing local football fans with a communal space to watch the tournament matches.
Public Access to 2026 World Cup Coverage
The initiative to host these public gatherings aligns with the broader strategy of LPP TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia) to maximize public access to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As the official broadcaster for the tournament in Indonesia, TVRI has confirmed that coverage will be available to the public free of charge via its digital television network. This move is designed to ensure that the global football event remains accessible to viewers across the archipelago, regardless of their ability to access paid subscription services.
The inclusion of physical gathering spaces, such as those organized in Jambi and reportedly in other regions like South Sulawesi, serves to bolster the community experience surrounding the tournament. By utilizing local studio facilities and partner cafes, the broadcaster aims to foster a “Bola Gembira” (Joyful Football) atmosphere, encouraging collective engagement among fans during match days.
Digital Infrastructure and Viewing Methods
For viewers unable to attend the organized public screenings, TVRI continues to emphasize the transition to digital-only broadcasting. The 2026 World Cup matches are scheduled to be aired exclusively through digital signals. Households currently using analog television sets are required to install a Set-Top Box (STB) to receive the digital broadcast signal, as legacy analog transmissions have been phased out in line with national telecommunications policy.
Beyond traditional television sets, digital transformation efforts have extended to mobile and online platforms. Official broadcasting rights holders have outlined methods for viewers to access matches via smartphones and tablets, typically through official streaming portals or dedicated applications. These digital options provide a secondary, portable viewing alternative for those who may be traveling or unable to access a television screen during the scheduled match times.
Tournament Context and Fan Engagement
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, represents a significant expansion in the tournament’s history, featuring an increased field of 48 teams. The extended format introduces a new structure for the group and knockout stages, which authorities suggest will increase the volume of high-stakes matches available for broadcast.
Local organizers in Jambi and other regional bureaus are preparing for the tournament by focusing on the logistics of these public screenings. While specific match schedules for the Jambi events remain subject to the finalized FIFA fixture list, the designated venues are being readied to handle crowds for the tournament’s opening stages and the progression toward the Round of 32.
Fans are encouraged to monitor official announcements from their regional TVRI stations regarding specific match-day schedules and any potential capacity limitations at the Cafe Dupa or studio venues. As the tournament approaches, updates regarding broadcast timings and additional public viewing locations are expected to be released through official TVRI social media channels and local news outlets.
The next confirmed checkpoint for football fans is the release of the official FIFA match schedule for the opening group stage matches, which will dictate the local start times for the public viewing events in Jambi and across Indonesia.
