Piala Presiden 2026 Unveils New Format as Southeast Asia's Top Clubs Battle for Preseason Glory

Piala Presiden 2026 is set to kick off from July 25 to August 6, marking the eighth edition of Indonesia's prestigious preseason tournament. Originally introduced in 2015 during the suspension of the national league, the competition has evolved into a major event that helps clubs prepare for the upcoming season while attracting widespread attention from football fans across the country.

This year's tournament brings a fresh international dimension, with eight clubs from four Southeast Asian nations competing for a total prize pool of Rp6 billion. The inclusion of teams from Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, and Thailand alongside Indonesia's leading clubs adds greater regional appeal and raises the overall level of competition.

The participating teams have been split into two groups, with Group A featuring Persib Bandung, Arema FC, DPMM FC, and Tampines Rovers. All Group A matches will be played at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung. Meanwhile, Group B consists of Persebaya Surabaya, Persija Jakarta, PSMS Medan, and Port FC, with all fixtures taking place at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya.

Piala Presiden 2026 will follow a single round-robin format during the group stage, allowing every team to face each of its three group rivals once. Each club will therefore play three matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage based on their final standings.

The semifinals will feature crossover matchups, with the winner of Group A facing the runner-up of Group B, while the Group B winner meets the Group A runner-up. Teams defeated in the semifinals will compete for third place, while the two winners will battle in the final to determine the Piala Presiden 2026 champion and claim the tournament's Rp6 billion prize pool.