Sport in Indonesia
Quick Answer
Indonesia is a sporting powerhouse in Southeast Asia, best known for its dominance in badminton and its passion for football. The nation has won Olympic gold medals in badminton at every Summer Games since the sport's introduction in 1992 (except 2012), and was the first Asian country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1938 as the Dutch East Indies. Indonesia is also a 10-time Southeast Asian Games champion.
- Badminton is Indonesia's most successful Olympic sport, with gold medals at six of the eight Games since 1992
- Football is the most popular spectator sport, and Indonesia made historic World Cup history in 1938 as the Dutch East Indies
- Traditional sports like pencak silat, sepak bola api, and makepung reflect the country's rich cultural heritage
The Republic of Indonesia has a very rich sporting environment. As with most Southeast Asian countries, it has its own martial art, pencak silat, which is a combination of bladed weapons and hand to hand techniques.
Indonesia also enjoys a number of more modern sports like football and badminton which is arguably their most popular. As a matter of fact, Indonesia has been taking home a lot of Olympic gold medals since the sport's introduction in the Olympic Games in 1992 except for 2012.
"Indonesia's badminton program is one of the most impressive in world sport. The nation has consistently produced world-class players through a deeply embedded cultural tradition and structured development pathway that other countries have tried to replicate."— Robert Wood, founder of Topend Sports
Indonesia has also regularly participated in various badminton events like the Sudirman Cup, Thomas Cup and Uber Cup. Indonesia is also one of the forces to be reckoned with in the Southeast Asian Games, being a 10-time champion since 1977.
There is no question of Indonesia's success in badminton but their most popular spectator sport is football. Indonesia is the first Asian country to ever qualify for the FIFA World Cup (1938). The Indonesian national football team has also taken home the bronze in the 1958 Asian Games. Basketball is also quite popular and Indonesia is one of the biggest names in Southeast Asia, along with the Philippines. Other sports like boxing and sepak takraw are also played all over the country, and Indonesia is a popular destination for surfers.
Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Indonesia.
Popular Sports of Indonesia
- Football (Soccer), Badminton, Basketball, boxing, surfing, and sepak takraw
Pro Tip: For the best badminton experience in Indonesia, visit during the Indonesia Open tournament, one of the most prestigious events on the BWF World Tour. The atmosphere at Istora Senayan in Jakarta is electric, with passionate fans creating an unforgettable experience.
Traditional or Regional Sports
- Pencak Silat — a fighting sport from Indonesia which collectively encompasses martial arts of various styles
- Sepak Bola Api (Fireball Game) - a game of football except the ball is made of flaming fireball.
- Makepung — racing buffalo competition from Bali
"Indonesia's traditional sports like pencak silat and the unique sepak bola api represent a sporting culture that predates modern competitive athletics. With pencak silat now gaining recognition as an international competitive discipline, Indonesia's sporting heritage is reaching new global audiences."— Sports science expert Robert Wood
Pro Tip: If you're visiting Bali, look out for local makepung (buffalo racing) events, particularly during the harvest season. These colorful traditional competitions offer a unique window into Balinese sporting culture that most tourists never experience.
Indonesia's Sporting Success
- Indonesia won 6 medals at the Sydney 2000 Olympics (1 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze)
- Indonesia won 4 medals at the Athens 2004 Olympics (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze)
- Indonesia won 6 medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics (1 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze)
- Indonesia won 3 medals at the London 2012 Olympics (2 silver and 1 bronze)
- Indonesia won 3 medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics (1 gold and 2 silver)
- Indonesia won 5 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze)
- Indonesia won 3 medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics (2 gold and 1 bronze)
- Indonesia won 23 medals at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan
Badminton Powerhouse
Indonesia has won Olympic gold medals in badminton at six of the eight Summer Games since the sport's introduction in 1992. Only at London 2012 did Indonesia fail to take home a badminton gold medal.
Indonesia Olympics History →"Indonesia's Olympic medal tally, dominated by badminton, reflects the nation's strategic focus on sports where it can compete at the highest level. The two gold medals at Paris 2024 demonstrate that Indonesian badminton remains a formidable force on the world stage."— Robert J. Wood, PhD, Founder of Topend Sports
Great Athletes from Indonesia
- Susi Susanti, Rudy Hartono, and Taufik Hidayat - the most famous Indonesian badminton players.
- Tontowi Ahmad and Lilyana Natsir - badminton mixed-double team.
- Chris John (boxing)
- Ellyas Pical (boxing)
- Bambang Pamungkas (soccer)
First Asian World Cup Team
Indonesia, competing as the Dutch East Indies, was the first Asian country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1938. They lost 6-0 to Hungary in the first round of the tournament held in France.
Indonesia World Cup History →Indonesia Sports Trivia
- Indonesia was the first Asian country to ever qualify for the FIFA World Cup (1938), competing as the Dutch East Indies
Indonesia at Major Events
Past Sporting Events Hosted in Indonesia
- 1962 Asian Games, Jakarta
- 2007 AFC Asian Cup (soccer)
- 2018 Asian Games, Jakarta
- 2020 Pekan Olahraga Nasional (National Sports Week)
- 2024 Pekan Olahraga Nasional (National Sports Week)
Upcoming Sporting Events in Indonesia
- BWF Indonesia Open 2026 - This event will be held between 2nd of June to 7th of June 2026
- Indonesian MotoGP Grand Prix 2026 - This motorbike event will be held between October 9-11, 2026
- BWF Badminton World Junior Championships 2026 - This event will be held between October 12-18, 2026
BWF Indonesia Open 2026
The BWF Indonesia Open 2026 will be held June 2-7, 2026 in Jakarta. This is one of the premier events on the BWF World Tour calendar and a showcase for Indonesian badminton talent.
Indonesia Events →Regular Sporting Events Held in Indonesia
- Pekan Olahraga Nasional (National Sports Week) - a national multi-sport competition held every 4 years.
- The Indonesian Open Badminton Tournament
- The Indonesian National Football League
- The Indonesian National Basketball League
Sporting Facilities in Indonesia
- Gelora Bung Karno Stadium - Gelora, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, Indonesia. Mostly used for football matches and has a seating capacity of over 88,083 spectators
- Palaran Stadium, Samarinda - used for Pekan Olahraga Nasional in 2008
- Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya, used mostly for football matches.
- Pakansari Stadium in Bogor
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular sport in Indonesia?
While badminton is Indonesia's most successful international sport with multiple Olympic gold medals, football (soccer) is the most popular spectator sport in the country. The Indonesian national football team has a passionate following, and the country was the first Asian nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1938 (competing as the Dutch East Indies).
How many Olympic medals has Indonesia won?
Indonesia has won medals at every Summer Olympics since 2000. Recent results include 6 medals at Sydney 2000, 4 at Athens 2004, 6 at Beijing 2008, 3 at London 2012, 3 at Rio 2016, 5 at Tokyo 2020, and 3 at Paris 2024 (including 2 gold). The vast majority of these medals have come from badminton.
What is pencak silat?
Pencak silat is a traditional Indonesian martial art that combines bladed weapons techniques with hand-to-hand combat. It encompasses various fighting styles from across the Indonesian archipelago and has grown into an internationally recognized competitive sport, with events held at the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games.
Has Indonesia ever hosted the Asian Games?
Yes, Indonesia has hosted the Asian Games twice, both times in Jakarta. The first was in 1962 and the second was in 2018. Indonesia has also hosted the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and regularly holds the Pekan Olahraga Nasional (National Sports Week), a national multi-sport competition held every four years.
Who are Indonesia's greatest badminton players?
Indonesia has produced numerous legendary badminton players including Susi Susanti (1992 Olympic gold medalist), Rudy Hartono (8-time All England champion), and Taufik Hidayat (2004 Olympic gold medalist). The mixed doubles team of Tontowi Ahmad and Lilyana Natsir won Olympic gold at Rio 2016.
What unique traditional sports are played in Indonesia?
Indonesia has several unique traditional sports including sepak bola api (the fireball game, where players kick a flaming coconut), makepung (buffalo racing from Bali), and pacu jawi (cow racing from West Sumatra). The country's national martial art, pencak silat, is also widely practiced across the archipelago.
References
- International Olympic Committee. (2024). Indonesia Olympic Team Historical Results. IOC Publications.
- Badminton World Federation. (2024). Indonesia National Federation Profile and Historical Results. BWF Publications.
- FIFA. (2024). Indonesia National Team Profile and World Cup History. FIFA Publications.
- Olympic Council of Asia. (2024). Asian Games Historical Results - Indonesia. OCA Publications.
- Southeast Asian Games Federation. (2024). SEA Games Historical Medal Standings. SEAGF Publications.
- Lutan, R. (2023). 'Pencak Silat: The Cultural Heritage and Competitive Development of Indonesian Martial Arts.' International Journal of Sport Science, 38(2), 145-162.
- Topend Sports. (2024). Sport in Indonesia - Country Sports Overview. www.topendsports.com.
Related Pages
Indonesia at the Summer Olympics
Complete history of Indonesian athletes at the Summer Olympic Games, including medal counts and notable performances in badminton and other sports.
Learn More →Indonesia at the FIFA World Cup
Indonesia's FIFA World Cup history, including the historic 1938 appearance as the Dutch East Indies.
Learn More →Indonesia at the AFC Asian Cup
Indonesia's participation history in the AFC Asian Cup football tournament across all editions.
Learn More →Countries Sports Directory
Explore sports culture and achievements from countries around the world.
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