Reasons For The Use Of 3 Host Stadiums For The 2024 President's Cup

Solo's Manahan Stadium is the semifinal and final venue for the 2024 President's Cup (Instagram/@ manahan.solo).

JAKARTA - The 2024 President's Cup will be held on July 19, 2024 at three different stadiums, namely Si Jalak Harupat (Bandung), Captain I Wayan Dipta (Bali), and Manahan (Solo).

Ferry Paulus as a member of the 2024 Presidential Cup Steering Committee (SC) revealed the reasons for the selection of the three stadiums.

Before it was decided to roll on July 19, 2024, in the three locations above, the 2024 President's Cup was not yet clear. The reason is that a few weeks earlier there was a discourse that this prestigious pre-season tournament was canceled.

The main consideration is the availability of stadiums for the preliminary and knockout stages, including the finals in Jakarta. Moreover, the initial concept of the 2024 Presidential Cup will be followed by 18 2024/2025 League 1 contestant teams.

"There are 18 clubs that previously wanted to be included. If so, there are at least four plus one stadiums that will also be used for Road to Jakarta (finals)."

"However, it turns out that Jakarta is no longer possible," said Ferry Paulus at the launch of the 2024 Presidential Cup in the Senayan area, Central Jakarta, on Monday, July 15, 2024.

"Then we have not obtained the four stadiums because we also want to implement VAR."

"Well, the most likely stadiums are only in Bali, Bandung, Solo, and Surabaya. The rest can't be done yet," said Ferry Paulus again.

Before it was finally decided to take place on July 19, 2024, the consideration of using the Manahan Stadium and Gelora Bung Tomo had faced challenges.

The reason is, the two stadiums have an agenda for holding the AFF U-16 Cup (Manahan Stadium) and the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup (GBT Stadium) which will take place on 17-29 July 2024.

"The four stadiums, when they wanted the President's Cup to be held at the end of June 2024, there were still 2024 AFF U-16 Cup matches in Solo."

"Then recently it will be rolled out in Surabaya, the AFF U-19 Cup. So, it is impossible for us to take turns in the stadium," said Ferry.

After careful consideration, the 2024 President's Cup will finally be held in a different format. For this season, there are only eight teams from Liga 1 2024/2025 involved and divided into two groups.

"With all the limitations of the existing stadium, only two, one are available in Solo, so only eight teams have been created for the President's Cup system."

"Four (teams) in Bandung, four in Bali, then Road to Solo for the semifinals and finals," said Ferry Paulus.

The eight teams are Persib Bandung, Persija Jakarta, PSM Makassar, Madura United, Arema FC, Bali United, Borneo FC, and Persis Solo.

Group A is inhabited by Persib, PSM Makassar, Borneo FC, and Persis Solo. Meanwhile, Persija, Bali United, Madura United, and Arema FC will fight in Group B.