The I.League has finalized the official drawing for the 2026/27 League Cup, setting up an opening fixture where Persija Jakarta will travel to face PSMS Medan. The newly structured tournament brings together 38 clubs from across the country’s top two divisions.
Thirty-Eight Clubs Compete Across Four Regional Zones
The tournament field features 18 clubs from the Super League and 20 teams from the Championship. Persib Bandung and Borneo FC Samarinda were granted direct byes straight into the quarterfinal round. League organizers implemented this exemption to protect both clubs from fixture congestion stemming from their active commitments in AFC and AFF regional tournaments.
With two spots reserved in the quarterfinals, the remaining 36 clubs were divided into three pots and sorted across four regional groups: Zona Barat 1, Zona Barat 2, Zona Timur 1, and Zona Timur 2. Because each group contains only three teams, the opening stage uses a format where every participant plays twice—once at home and once away—during the group phase.
Persija Lands in Group A Alongside PSMS Medan and Sumsel United
The draw placed Persija Jakarta into Group A of Zona Barat 1, where the club faces matches against Sumsel United and PSMS Medan. Meanwhile, across the bracket in Zona Barat 2, PSIS Semarang was drawn into Group D alongside Java United and Adhyaksa FC Bekasi, setting up a local storyline where PSIS and Java United both utilize Stadion Jatidiri in Semarang as their home venue.
In the eastern brackets, Arema FC landed in Group L of Zona Timur 2. Arema FC Head of PR Munif B. Wakid stated in an official club release that the club views the home-and-away group format as ideal and competitive. He added that the team’s objective is to advance as far as possible in the tournament.
Legendary Players Highlight Opportunities for Local Talent
Speaking at the draw ceremony in Jakarta, former Indonesia national team player Firman Utina emphasized that the competition provides vital playing time for domestic players. League regulations cap every participant at a maximum of three foreign players in the tournament, a rule Utina argued would push more young local players into senior competitive action.
Former national team player Ponaryo Astaman echoed those remarks during the event, telling reporters that Championship clubs enter the tournament carrying high motivation to prove themselves against elite Super League opponents. PSSI Executive Committee members and General Secretary Yunus Nusi also praised the initiative, noting that the competition allows regional fans to watch top-flight teams face second-tier teams.
Group Stage Fixtures and Knockout Calendar
The I.League calendar outlines three distinct windows for the group stage: November 3–5, November 24–26, and December 1–3, 2026. Group winners advance directly to the 12-team knockout round, where cross-regional pairings take effect. Zona Barat 1 meets Zona Timur 2, while Zona Barat 2 meets Zona Timur 1.
Following the 12-team round scheduled for January 15–17, 2027, the surviving clubs will meet the waiting top seeds, Persib Bandung and Borneo FC Samarinda, in the quarterfinals on January 30–31, 2027. The tournament continues with the semifinals on April 21, 2027, before concluding with the final match on May 19, 2027.
-organise-un-meeting-handisport-d-envergure-nationale-ce-samedi-1er-juin-au-stade-d-athletisme-du-haut-keme-photo-archives-1716669320.jpg)