PT LIB Talks About The Arema Vs Persebaya Match Office Held At The Kanjuruhan Stadium

The Kanjuruhan Stadium has the possibility of becoming the Arema vs Persebaya match arena (Instagram/@aremafcofficial).

JAKARTA - President Director (Managing Director) of PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB), Ferry Paulus, spoke about the opportunity for Arema FC's match against Persebaya Surabaya to be held at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang. This is related to the condition of the stadium which has been renovated.

Arema FC as the Malang City team, is scheduled to host Persebaya in the 30th week of Liga 1 2024/2025 on Monday, April 28, 2025.

Berstatus salah satu laga big match Tanah Air, pertemuan kedua tim jelas menjadi perhatian. Apalagi soal lokasi penyelenggaraan, di mana sebelumnya Arema terpaksa menjadi penghina karena kandang yang tengah proses renovasi.

Regarding the Arema chance to host Persib at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Ferry Paulus said that the Liga 1 operator was still conducting an assessment.

"If the handover (stadium) from the Ministry of Public Works (Public Works) to the Regional Government is done, while for communication and utilization of the Kanjuruhan Stadium to Arema is done."

"I am also waiting for whether Arema vs Persebaya momentum will be the first match in Kanjuruhan as a new stadium," said Ferry Paulus during a PT LIB press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

The Kanjuruhan Stadium was declared to have been renovated after the Kanjuruhan Tragedy on October 1, 2022. The Kanjuruhan tragedy was a painful wound to Indonesian football.

The reason is, during the Arema FC vs Persebaya match on October 1, 2022, 135 people died. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the stadium was closed and then renovations were carried out.

Although recently there were many locations for the Arema FC vs Persebaya match to return to the Kanjuruhan Stadium, PT LIB has not provided certainty because there is no black on white regarding the permit to hold the big match.

"Although not yet black and white, but the direction is there, the handover has been done, the documentation has been done, the rest of the ceremony," he said.

With the current change in facilities, the stadium is expected to be more comfortable for supporters to come and support their proud team. Moreover, this improvement also aims to improve quality.

"We are Arema's assistance that this is also blessings, in the past (capacity) was 48 thousand, now 23,800 is arguably going to increase the grade of its own supporters, there are fewer stadiums, but there are more enthusiasts."

"In the past, the D-E stratanya would be able to be B-C, so, supporters will be more comfortable," he said.