The opening match of the 2026/27 Indonesian Super League at Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Gianyar has already made Balinese football history.
The clash between home side Bali United and PSS Sleman drew 16,000 fans, filling nearly 89% of the stadium.
This is an all-time attendance record for the Serdadu Tridatu's home arena. The previous high was set in January 2025 at the game against Persib Bandung (10,868 people). In the first round, only Bandung drew a bigger crowd than Bali, with 24,923 fans at the match there.
A “crazy atmosphere” and the return of the away section.
A long-awaited development gave the match a special flavour: for the first time in almost four years, away fans were officially allowed in for an away game. PSS Sleman supporters organized a mass trip, with several thousand fans heading to Bali to back their team.
“The atmosphere in the stadium was excellent. The fans are simply amazing. The supporters' sections of both teams coexisted perfectly right next to each other, so being in the stadium as a coach was a real pleasure. It was just incredible... A crazy atmosphere, everyone pushing the team forward right to the end,” said Bali United head coach Johnny Jansen, the 51-year-old Dutch specialist, sharing his impressions.
The price of emotion: 60 million rupiah
That said, one unpleasant incident marred the celebration in the stands. In the 82nd minute a firecracker was set off in the supporters' section. The PSSI Disciplinary Committee reacted instantly: Bali United was fined 60,000,000 IDR.
Despite the punishment, the coaching staff took the situation with understanding, but called for discipline:
“I think the fans were great. The atmosphere was incredible. But rules are rules. When it comes to pyrotechnics or anything like that, there are clear regulations. If we throw that onto the pitch or anywhere else, it's unacceptable,” Jansen stressed ahead of the next match.
A hard-fought win
On the pitch Bali United took an important win, though not without some frayed nerves. The team created plenty of chances and led 2:0, but eased off late in the game and conceded in the closing minutes, putting the fans through the wringer.
“We should have closed the match out with three or four goals. We need to take our chances better,” the coach summed up.
The Serdadu Tridatu's next home match is against Isen Mulang FC (Kalteng FC). The club and the coaching staff hope the stands at the Dipta Stadium will be packed once again — but this time strictly without pyrotechnics.
How to get to a Bali United home match?
Where it's played:
Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium (Jl. Raya Buruan, Blahbatuh, Gianyar). From the popular tourist areas (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu) the trip by taxi or bike takes 1–1.5 hours; from Ubud, about 20–30 minutes.
Buying tickets:
Online: Official tickets are sold through the Bali United App mobile app (available on the App Store / Google Play). Sales open 3–5 days before the match.
Box office: Match-day sales near the stadium aren't always available, especially for the biggest games, so it's best to buy an e-ticket in advance.
Rules of conduct at the arena:
Pyrotechnics are strictly prohibited: the PSSI Disciplinary Committee comes down hard on the club for any firecrackers, flares or fireworks (the penalty is 60 million IDR).
What you can't bring in: Water bottles (you'll be asked to take the caps off or pour the liquid into cups), sharp objects and pyrotechnics.
Arrive early: With security checks and traffic jams on the way into Gianyar, it's better to get there 1.5–2 hours before kick-off.
Source: kompas
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