Response To Rising Indonesian National Team Ticket Prices, Arya Sinulingga: Squad Is Getting Stronger, Funding Is Getting Bigger

The large number of protests against the ticket price for the Indonesian national team match received a response from PSSI Executive Committee (Exco) member, Arya Sinulingga.

According to Arya, the increase was based on strong enough reasons.

The Indonesian national team will appear against Iraq and the Philippines in the 2026 World Cup Qualification. The match will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, on June 6 and 11, 2024.

Ticket sales began to open online on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Tickets are priced at IDR 250 thousand for the cheapest and IDR 1,250 thousand for the most expensive.

This price clearly experienced a significant increase of IDR 150 thousand compared to the match against Vietnam on March 21, 2024.

It was this rising price Bandrol that then drew protests from fans of the Indonesian national team. Responding to the protest, Arya revealed the reasons behind the increase in ticket prices for the Indonesian national team.

According to him, ticket prices have soared due to the increasing impact of the need for the Indonesian national team.

"Harga seperti sekarang ini. Kenapa? Karena memang kalau Timnas Indonesia semakin kuat itu butuh perdanaan makin besar," kata Arya Sinulingga dalam keterangannya dikutip pada Kamis, 16 Mei 2024.

Regarding the great need, Arya took an example when the U-23 Indonesian national team managed to break into the semifinals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

He said the cost of accommodation at that moment was also a factor in increasing costs.

Arya said the high target of the Indonesian national team in the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualification will also have an impact on funding.

Arya admitted that one of the sources of funding for the Indonesian national team was income from tickets.

"Well, then at the World Cup (qualification) we all hope to enter the third round. In the third round we have 10 matches that we will carry out, of course we need funding."

"When away (a trip), get on a plane again and so on. Indeed, the Indonesian national team is getting stronger, funding is getting stronger."

"So, a lot of funds are needed. So, we don't make a profit. This is all to finance the Indonesian national team," said Arya.

"One of them, yes. There is indeed a broadcasting right, but that is not enough. So, one of them is from the ticket."

"Although the ticket is arguably still small compared to the others. Well, our consequences are that our Indonesian national team is getting stronger, so we need bigger funds," he said.

Furthermore, Arya then apologized to the fans of the Indonesian national team for the ticket price which was considered too expensive. He acknowledged that the increase in ticket prices was for the good of the Indonesian national team as well.

"So, we are really forced to do it just so that our Indonesian national team can compete without thinking about money."

"They know they only compete. Once again I apologize," he said.