Persib Bandung loses home ground mid-season: Lessons in preparation for international tournaments

On the afternoon of August 31, at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Persib Bandung had just finished their AFC Champions League Two playoff match against Manila Digger. The stands were still full, but no one knew this might be the last time the team would play at home for a long while. Just three days later, an official announcement from the West Java Youth and Sports Agency (Dispora) stunned the entire city of Bandung: this stadium would be closed to host the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, a new international tournament sanctioned by FIFA, will take place from September 24 to October 5 in Indonesia. Si Jalak Harupat Stadium was chosen as one of the venues. To ensure FIFA standards, the local government decided to ban all other matches at this stadium from September 5, including those of the BRI Super League, Indonesia's top division. Persib Bandung, based in Bandung, regularly uses this stadium as their home ground. They are now forced to find an alternative venue for their opening match against PSM Makassar on September 6. Notably, the GBLA Stadium (Gelora Bandung Lautan Api) is also undergoing maintenance, leaving Persib without a backup home ground. Meanwhile, the team also has to compete in the AFC Champions League Two, creating a congested fixture schedule and significant pressure. This situation is not merely an administrative decision. It places Persib in a difficult position on multiple fronts. First, the home advantage – a crucial factor in football – will be lost for at least four to six matches. Based on my experience following matches, teams often have a higher win rate when playing at home, thanks to fan support and familiarity with the pitch. Having to play at a different, possibly unfamiliar stadium will affect the players' style and mentality. Second, financially. Each home match generates revenue from ticket sales, food and beverages, and commercial activities. If forced to move to a smaller-capacity stadium, revenue will decline. Although specific figures are unavailable, for a club with a massive fanbase like Persib, this could amount to billions of rupiah per match. Moreover, refunding or reseating season-ticket holders also incurs costs and complications. Third, tactically. Each stadium has different dimensions and pitch quality. Teams often build their training and tactics around their home ground. Changing venues can disrupt set pieces, corner routines, and ball progression. I have witnessed many teams struggle on unfamiliar surfaces, leading to unexpected results. Fourth, psychologically. Players may feel unsettled without playing at home, especially early in the season. Fan support is a major motivational source, and its absence can affect performance. As a beat keeper, I understand that mental stability is key to a team's success. A goalkeeper does not need glory; he only needs the goal frame and a heart that keeps the rhythm. However, there is another perspective. Losing home ground could be an opportunity for Persib to test new stadiums, expand their fanbase in other regions, and create a "new advantage" if they adapt well. Many teams worldwide have turned disadvantages into advantages by building flexible styles that do not depend on a specific pitch. Furthermore, the FIFA ASEAN Cup is a major event, offering promotion opportunities for Southeast Asian football. Persib's sacrifice of some personal interests to serve the region's common development can be seen as a positive contribution. Moreover, this incident exposes a structural issue: the lack of coordination between football governing bodies and local authorities. With better preparation, Persib could have had a contingency plan in place. Instead of criticizing, we should look at the lessons in risk management and strategic planning for clubs in the region. This situation raises a big question: Are Southeast Asian clubs ready for the increasing number of international events? As FIFA expands regional tournaments, clubs will face more disruptions. The key is not to avoid them, but to build a flexible, adaptable system. Persib may overcome this difficult period, but this story will be remembered as a lesson in preparation and coordination in modern football. Every great team was once born in a small blog no one read.