BRI Renews Commitment as Title Sponsor for I.League Super League 2026/27, Cementing Long-Term Partnership

JAKARTA – The landscape of Indonesian professional football continues to solidify its commercial foundations as Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) officially announced the extension of its title sponsorship for the I.League Super League for the 2026/27 season. Alongside this announcement, the league confirmed that Elang Mahkota Teknologi (Emtek) will retain its role as the official broadcaster, ensuring continued visibility for the country’s premier football competition.

The partnership renewal was unveiled during the official launch event of the Super League held at the SCTV Tower in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. This landmark agreement marks the sixth consecutive season of the collaboration, a relationship that began in the 2021/22 season and has since become a cornerstone of the domestic football ecosystem.

The Core Partnership: A Synergy of Scale and Reach

The announcement signifies more than just a financial transaction; it represents a strategic alignment between the nation’s largest micro-finance institution and the country’s most popular sport.

During the launch, BRI President Director Hery Gunardi emphasized that the decision to continue the sponsorship was driven by a shared philosophy between the banking giant and the nature of football.

"We see a fundamental alignment between football and BRI. Football is the people’s sport—it is massive, inclusive, and deeply integrated into the fabric of daily life. BRI, as Bank Rakyat Indonesia, shares that same DNA of being massive and accessible," Hery stated during his keynote address.

He highlighted the sheer scale of the bank’s operations as a testament to why the partnership remains the most logical choice for the league. With over 7,500 branches across the Indonesian archipelago, 120,000 employees, and a customer base exceeding 129 million, BRI’s infrastructure provides the perfect vehicle to carry the I.League brand to every corner of the nation.

A Brief Chronology: Six Years of Growth

To understand the weight of this renewal, one must look at the evolution of the partnership since 2021:

• 2021/22 Season: The inaugural year of the "BRI Liga 1" (now rebranded as Super League). At this stage, the partnership focused primarily on brand awareness and establishing the league’s professional credentials during the post-pandemic recovery.
• 2022-2024: The partnership transitioned into a stabilization phase. BRI’s branding became synonymous with the league, and the bank began integrating digital financial services into the football ecosystem.
• 2025: The introduction of advanced digital integration, where clubs, players, and coaching staff began utilizing BRI’s digital banking suite for salary disbursements and team financial management.
• 2026/27 Season: The current milestone. The partnership is no longer just about "exposure"; it is about ecosystem integration. The focus has shifted from mere billboard advertising to a deep, data-driven financial partnership involving stakeholders at all levels of the league.

Supporting Data: The Economic Impact of the League

The longevity of the partnership is backed by empirical data regarding the league’s reach. Despite the shift in the start date for the 2026/27 season—which moved from the traditional August kick-off to September—the commercial interest remains at an all-time high.

The "Super League" environment has proven to be a highly lucrative space for stakeholders. According to BRI’s internal metrics, the success of the collaboration is measured not just in brand sentiment, but in the tangible expansion of financial literacy and services among the football community.

Key figures cited during the launch include:

• Stakeholder Penetration: A vast majority of players, coaches, and club staff have now migrated to BRI’s digital banking ecosystem.
• Broadcasting Reach: Emtek’s role as the official broadcaster covers both Free-to-Air (FTA) television and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, ensuring that even remote regions have access to live matches.
• Market Penetration: The correlation between the league’s match-day exposure and the acquisition of new retail banking customers has shown a steady upward trend over the past five years.

Official Responses and Strategic Vision

Hery Gunardi: Beyond Branding

Hery Gunardi, reflecting on the evolution of the partnership, noted that the relationship has matured significantly. "In the early days, our primary focus was branding and exposure. We wanted people to associate BRI with the spirit of football. However, as we moved into the later years of the contract, we realized we were doing much more than that," he explained.

He described a shift toward "ecosystem building." By embedding banking services into the daily operations of clubs, the league has created a professional environment where financial security for players and staff is standardized. "We are now working with clubs, players, and coaches on a professional level. It’s a holistic integration that benefits the financial health of the entire football industry," Hery added.

Harsiwi Achmad: The Broadcaster’s Perspective

Emtek, represented by Director of Emtek Media Harsiwi Achmad, addressed the logistical changes for the upcoming season. While acknowledging the slightly delayed start, she maintained that the "BRI Super League" brand has found its permanent home within the Emtek Media ecosystem.

"We were anticipating the season, and even though the start is in September, the demand from the audience remains incredibly high," said Harsiwi. "The Super League has found a perfect home with Emtek. Our platforms—both broadcast and digital—are ready to capture the enthusiasm of the fans. The environment created by this partnership is robust, and we are committed to delivering the best possible viewing experience."

Implications: What This Means for Indonesian Football

The renewal of this partnership carries significant implications for the future of the sport in Indonesia:

1. Financial Stability for Clubs

By securing a long-term, reliable title sponsor, the league provides a level of financial predictability that was historically lacking. This allows clubs to plan their budgets, invest in youth development academies, and improve infrastructure with greater confidence.

2. Professionalization of the Ecosystem

The integration of BRI’s banking services into the league’s operations forces a higher level of administrative accountability. When a league, its clubs, and its athletes are all integrated into a unified financial system, it promotes transparency—a vital requirement for the long-term growth of the sport.

3. Digital Transformation

The collaboration underscores the shift towards a digital-first approach in Indonesian sports. By utilizing OTT platforms and digital banking, the I.League is aligning itself with global trends where the fan experience is increasingly mobile and data-driven.

4. A Template for Future Sponsorships

The success of the BRI-I.League model serves as a blueprint for other Indonesian sports leagues. It proves that when a sponsor moves beyond "logo placement" and begins to actively support the internal ecosystem of the sport, the return on investment—both in terms of brand value and social impact—is exponentially higher.

Conclusion: A New Era for the Super League

As the 2026/27 season approaches, the atmosphere in Jakarta is one of optimism. The continuity provided by BRI and Emtek ensures that the Super League remains on a steady trajectory toward modernization.

The partnership is a testament to the fact that football in Indonesia has evolved from a simple pastime into a sophisticated industry. With a sponsor that understands the "mass" nature of the sport and a broadcaster that knows how to capture the nation’s attention, the upcoming season promises to be a defining chapter in the history of the I.League.

For the millions of fans across the country, the message is clear: the game they love is backed by a professional structure that is designed to grow, evolve, and sustain the future of Indonesian football for years to come. Whether it is through the live broadcast on Emtek or the digital convenience provided by BRI, the Super League is set to dominate the national conversation throughout the 2026/27 season.