Indonesian Football Derbies and Rivalries Guide

Persebaya supporters unveil a giant tifo at Gelora Bung Tomo for the Super East Java derby against Arema, May 2018. Photo: consigliere ivan, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Every football country has its grudge matches, but Indonesia's rivalries carry extra weight. Many are between the old city clubs of the Perserikatan era, some are fuelled by regional pride, and a few have cost lives. Here are the fixtures that matter most in the 2026-27 Super League, and how to approach them as a neutral.

Why derbies matter so much

Indonesian clubs are tied closely to their city or region, and their supporter groups are large, organised and loyal (see our guide to supporter culture). Since the 2000s some rivalries have spilled into violence on roads and at train stations far from any stadium. After the 2022 Kanjuruhan disaster, away fans were barred from league matches. They have been allowed back in 2026-27, but the biggest derbies are still assessed one by one and are often played with home fans only.

Derbi Indonesia: Persija v Persib

The biggest game in the country is Persija Jakarta against Persib Bandung, often called the Indonesian El Clásico or Derbi Indonesia. Both clubs helped found PSSI in 1930, they met in Perserikatan finals in the 1930s, and between them they hold more national titles than anyone else. The cities are only around 180 km apart: the capital against the proud Sundanese heartland of West Java.

The rivalry turned hostile between the fans in the 2000s, and The Jakmania and Persib's Bobotoh have not officially shared a stadium for years. It has been marred by deaths, including that of Jakmania member Haringga Sirla, who was killed by rival supporters at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api before a match in September 2018. PSSI suspended the league for two weeks afterwards and ordered Persib to play the rest of that season's home games behind closed doors.

On 12 September 2026 the derby returned to Jakarta for the first time since 2019. Persija won 2-1 at Gelora Bung Karno in front of 58,961 people, the season's biggest crowd so far, with Persib fans told to stay away. The return fixture, at Persib's home, is scheduled for April 2027.

Super East Java derby: Arema v Persebaya

Arema FC of Malang and Persebaya Surabaya come from different traditions: Persebaya (1927) from the Perserikatan, Arema (1987) from the semi-professional Galatama. The rivalry grew after the two leagues merged in 1994 and became one of the most heated in Asia between Aremania and Bonek. A 1998 agreement was meant to stop the two groups attending the same match.

It was after this derby, on 1 October 2022, that the Kanjuruhan disaster happened. Persebaya won 3-2, Arema supporters went on to the pitch, and police fired tear gas into the stands. In the crush that followed, 135 people died. No Persebaya fans had been given tickets. The fixture is still handled with great care: Arema's home derby in April 2026 was moved to Bali and played without spectators after the club was refused a security permit. Arema are due to host Persebaya again in late November 2026; check the venue and crowd arrangements nearer the time.

Derbi Suramadu: Persebaya v Madura United

Named after the Suramadu Bridge linking Surabaya with Madura island, this derby between Persebaya and Madura United only began in 2018. It is sometimes called the East Java Brotherhood derby because the two sets of fans are on friendly terms, which makes it a good-natured exception.

The Yogyakarta derbies

The Derbi DIY (Special Region of Yogyakarta derby), also billed as a Derbi Mataram, pits PSS Sleman against PSIM Yogyakarta, neighbours in the same small province. It has a troubled recent history. In July 2018 a PSS supporter was killed by rival fans around the first meeting between the clubs that season, and the return match in October was played without spectators. With both clubs in the Super League in 2026-27, supporter groups signed a peace pledge with the regional police in September 2026 ahead of the first meeting, at PSIM's Sultan Agung Stadium in December.

PSIM's other great rival is Persis Solo, in the historic Mataram derby between two former royal cities. That one is on hold for now, as Persis were relegated in 2026.

Other rivalries to know

PSM Makassar v Persija: a meeting of two Perserikatan giants. The rivalry between PSM and Persija goes back decades and became more hostile after The Jakmania were formed.
Persija v Persita: the Daan Mogot derby, a Greater Jakarta rivalry with Persita Tangerang. Crowd trouble at the October 2026 meeting led to a six-match away ban for The Jakmania.
Persita v Dewa United: a newer Banten rivalry with Dewa United Banten.
Arema v Persib and Arema v Persik: long-running needle matches for Arema, the second with fellow East Javans Persik Kediri.
Borneo derbies: Borneo FC Samarinda have local rivalries with Barito Putera (the Papadaan derby), Persiba Balikpapan and Mitra Kukar (the Mahakam derby), though none of those clubs is in the top flight in 2026-27.

Advice for neutrals

Watch the biggest derbies on TV or in a bar rather than in the stadium if this is your first Indonesian match. See our guide to watching on TV.
Check whether away fans are allowed. If they are not, do not wear the visitors' colours anywhere near the ground, or on public transport.
Expect changes. Derbies are often moved, rescheduled or played behind closed doors on police advice, sometimes at short notice. Check ileague.id and club channels.
Choose a lower-risk fixture first. A mid-table game at a modern ground gives you the atmosphere without the tension. Our matchday guide and club pages will help you plan.

Sources

Updated weekly through the 2026-27 season. Spotted something out of date? Use the Submit an Update button at the top of the page.

The Great Rivalries of Indonesian Football

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