Bali might be renowned for its
epic surf breaks, but what if you're more into kicking a ball than catching waves?
Until recently, playing football on the island was a bit of a gamble, largely
confined to sporadic games in Canggu. But since last autumn, the game
has changed.
Bali now boasts a thriving football scene with vibrant communities
all over the island.
Regular training sessions, organized tournaments, and
local amateur leagues are now the norm, with teams eager to take the field and
compete.
This article is your ultimate guide to getting stuck into the football scene in Bali—find out where and how you can get on the pitch and play the beautiful game on the island.
Canggu
Canggu is home to two vibrant
football communities:
The AFL Community
AFL, an amateur league in
Indonesia that now includes expat teams, offers both futsal (5-a-side) and
8-a-side football.
Futsal matches are held on Mondays and Thursdays, while
8-a-side football is played on Wednesdays.
Monday futsal and Wednesday
8-a-side games are officiated by a professional referee.
Each week, a Most
Valuable Player (MVP) is selected via a poll in the chat and awarded a prize.
Players wear branded bibs, and
game results and highlights are shared on Instagram.
Future plans include video
recordings of games and additional branded gear.
- Cost: 50,000 IDR for two hours of futsal; 100,000 IDR for 8-a-side football.
- Participation: Open to everyone.
Join the futsal chat.
Join the 8-a-side chat.
Bali Football Community
Another fantastic option for
playing football in Canggu is with Bali Football community.
Games are held twice a week on natural grass at Finns Recreation
Club, featuring 8-a-side matches. With six teams playing across two fields, you
can enjoy the added bonus of a stunning sunset.
- Cost: 250,000 IDR per person per game; this covers field rental, lighting, balls, bibs, and referee and assistant fees.
Anyone can join the games.
Registration opens the day before, with the first 48 players securing spots on
the main list, while additional players are placed on a waiting list.
There is also a 49th spot
available for FREE.
This person can:
- Play if a paid participant is late.
- Play as a last-minute replacement if someone doesn’t show up.
If all players are on time and no
replacements are needed, the free spot holder can use the time as they
like—whether that’s training around the field, watching the game, or enjoying a
meal at the restaurant.
The community tracks statistics for the most active and consistent players, and a special app is in development to monitor participant activities, including goals, assists, and more.
Join the community via this Telegram link.
Ubud
The cultural capital of the island boasts two active football communities alongside the AFL team, FC Ubud United.
Bali Football Club Ubud and FC Ubud United
Bali Football Club Ubud Telegram community is open to everyone and offers more
than just football. Members regularly play together, organize sauna trips, and
even hold FIFA tournaments on gaming consoles.
FC Ubud United, the community's team, competes in the AFL—an Indonesian amateur league featuring local and expat teams.
Open tournaments draw teams from
across Bali and feature invited referees. Players with strong skills may be
invited to join Ubud United, which has its own training schedule and league
games on Saturdays and Sundays.
They also offer training sessions
to sharpen your skills and host tournaments that attract footballers from
across Bali.
Games are played on artificial turf in a 5-a-side format.
Training Schedule:
Monday: Open training to
work on football skills.
Tuesday: Mini-tournament
with 4, 5, or 6 teams (depending on the number of players).
Thursday: Open football
skills training session.
Friday: Mini-tournament
with 4, 5, or 6 teams (depending on the number of players).
- Cost: 30,000 IDR for a mini-tournament; 60,000 IDR for a training session. Fees cover field rental and equipment like balls and bibs.
Becoming a member is simple. Join
the Bali Football Club Ubud Telegram chat and keep
an eye out for the next game or training session, all organized through a
Telegram bot.
Private Club
This club does not have a name. It operates
through a private chat group, organized by a local football enthusiast.
Membership is by invitation only, typically extended by a current participant.
If you’re interested, joining the Bali Football Club Ubud community can help you secure an
invitation to this exclusive group.
Game Schedule:
Twice a
week on Monday and Saturday, with 5-a-side games on artificial turf.
- Teams: Usually 2 to 3 teams per session.
- Registration: Opens the day before, with participants signing up via roll call in the chat. The first 15 to sign up secure a spot, with additional players on a waiting list.
- Cost: 20,000 IDR per game.
Bukit
Bukit Futsal Club is buzzing with
activity, featuring games four times a week.
Schedule:
Weekdays: Three 5-a-side
games at Mumbul Arena, including mini-tournaments among three teams.
Sundays: The Bukit
Showdown - a grand tournament with six teams competing on two fields. The Bukit
Showdown draws football enthusiasts from across the island.
Additionally, there's a weekly
8-a-side game on natural grass, with day and field location updates available
in the chat.
The Bukit football community tracks player statistics and
recognizes the MVP, top goal scorers, and assist makers after each tournament.
- Playing Surface: A hybrid of carpet and artificial turf. Turf or futsal shoes are required—cleats are not allowed.
- Skill Level: Intermediate to those who “haven’t played in a couple of years.”
- Registration: Managed through a chat bot.
- Cost: 50,000 IDR per session, covering field rental, balls, and bibs.
Join the community via this Telegram
link.
Jimbaran
In Jimbaran, you can join FC
BaliPalmas🌴, an international football club with
players from across the island. The club hosts a diverse group for both
training and matches.
The club focuses on training
games that are open to everyone, regardless of skill level. Standout players
from these sessions may be invited to join the main team.
- Game Format: 8-a-side and 11-a-side football.
- Schedule: Matches are held every weekend at various stadiums across Bali.
- Cost: 80,000 IDR per session, which covers field rental and equipment like balls and bibs.
FC
BaliPalmas' registeration link.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just looking to have a kickabout, Bali's football scene has something for everyone—so lace up your boots and dive into the action!
Yours, Ibu Tan
You can add one right now!