When first opened prior to the 1962 Asian Games, the stadium had a seating capacity of 110,000. It has been reduced twice during renovations: first to 88,306 in 2006 for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and then to 77,193 single seats as part of renovations for the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games, where it hosted the ceremonies and athletics competitions. Due to the most recent renovation which saw all remaining bleachers replaced by single seats, it is the 28th largest association football stadium in the world and the 8th largest association football stadium in Asia.
History
Under Sukarno: construction and inauguration
After the Asian Games Federation declared Jakarta to host the 1962 Asian Games in 1958, the minimum requirement that yet to be met by the Jakarta was the availability of a multi-sport complex. In response to this, President Sukarno issued Presidential Decree No. 113/1959 dated 11 May 1959 about the establishment of the Asian Games Council of Indonesia (DAGI) led by Minister of Sports Maladi. As an architect and civil engineering graduate, Sukarno proposed a location near M. H. Thamrin Boulevard and Menteng (Karet, Pejompongan, or Dukuh Atas) for the future sports complex. then Sukarno accompanied Friedrich Silaban, a renowned architect to review the location of the proposed sports complex by helicopter. Silaban disagreed with the selection of Dukuh Atas because he argued the construction of a sports complex in the center the future downtown area will potentially create a massive traffic congestion. Sukarno agreed Silaban suggestion and instead assigned the Senayan area with an area of approximately 300 hectares.[9]
Construction began on 8 February 1960 and finished on 21 July 1962,[10] in time to host the following month's Asian Games. It was built as part of Sukarno's construction sprees before the 1962 Asian Games and the centerpiece of the Sports Complex.[11] Its construction was partially funded through a special loan from the Soviet Union. The stadium's original capacity was 110,000 people. The stadium is well known for its gigantic ring-shaped facade (a.k.a. "temu gelang"), which also was designed to shade spectators from the sun, and increase the grandeur of the stadium.[12] The idea came from Sukarno himself and although Soviet architects didn't want to implement temu gelang at first due to its unusual design, but Sukarno insisted and he got his way in the end.[11]
Although the stadium is popularly known as Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (Stadion Gelora Bung Karno) or GBK Stadium, its official name is Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno), as there are other stadiums in the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, such as the Sports Palace and the secondary stadium. It was known as Senajan (EYD: Senayan) Main Stadium from its opening through the 1962 Asiad until the complex's name was changed to Gelora Bung Karno by a Presidential Decree issued on 24 September 1962, twenty days after the games ended.
Under Soeharto: Gelora Senayan
During the New Order era, the complex was renamed "Gelora Senayan Complex" and the stadium was renamed "Gelora Senayan Main Stadium" in 1969. The name changes was part of the "de-Sukarnoization" policy by military junta government under Suharto.[13]
At the 1985 Perserikatan Final, Match Persib Bandung against PSMS Medan which was held at this stadium became an amateur match with the largest attendance of 150,000 spectators. The match was finally won by PSMS Medan.[7]
Reformasi–present
After the fall of the dictatorship, the complex name was reverted by President Abdurrahman Wahid in a decree effective since 17 January 2001.[14] The stadium's capacity was then reduced further to 88,306 as a result of renovations for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.
The stadium served as the main venue of the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games, hosting the ceremonies and athletics.[15] It underwent renovations in preparation for the events; to comply with FIFA standards, all of the stadium's existing seating was replaced, including its remaining bleachers, making it an all-seater with a capacity of 77,193. The new seats are coloured in red, white, and grey—resembling a waving flag of Indonesia. A new, brighter LED lighting system was also installed, with 620 fixtures, and an RGB lighting system was installed on the stadium's facade. Improvements were also made to the stadium's accessibility.[16][17][18][19][20][21]
The political rally for both parliamentary and also presidential elections in 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024. The 2019 final day campaign for both presidential candidates was held in this stadium. The final campaign was held on 7 and 13 April 2019 respectively. Each final campaign was attended by more than 77,000 supporters, arguably the most attended a one-day campaign rally in the history of the Indonesian presidential campaign.[24]
Christmas event jointly organized by the Indonesian Bethel Church for the whole district since 2006 until now (only absent in 2012)
Indonesia Tiberias Church Christmas Services since 2000 until now (except in 2016 and 2017)[25]
Michael Jackson was planned to hold a concert at the Main Stadium for 2 days in December 1993. but the concerts were cancelled due to Michael Jackson's health issues that caused him to go into rehabilitation, affecting remaining Dangerous World Tour dates.
As a result of several Islamic groups and community elements rejecting the concert on grounds that Lady Gaga's appearance that did not reflect morality and Indonesian culture, she was forced to cancel her Born This Way Ball Tour on June 3, 2012, at the Main Stadium.
One Direction held a concert in this arena on March 25, 2015.
In May 2019, Ed Sheeran held his Divide Tour at this stadium, making him the first male singer since Mick Jagger in 1988 to hold a concert in this stadium.
After 61 years of operation, Raisa became the first female singer to hold a concert at this stadium on February 25, 2023, after double postponement due to COVID-19.
Blackpink became the first Korean group to hold a concert in this stadium; the concert was held for 2 days in March 2023 as a part of their Born Pink World Tour.
Coldplay held their first ever visit to Jakarta on November 15, 2023, as a part of their Music of the Spheres World Tour; the concert grossed more than $13 million.
^Rindi Nuris Velarosdela (4 September 2018). "Mengenal Rumput Zeon Zoysia, Jenis Rumput Terbaik yang Dipasang di Stadion GBK". Kompas.com. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
^"Sukarno Dibuat Kesal oleh Silaban soal Lokasi GBK". Bisnis.com. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
^Ahmad Fawwaz Usman (8 August 2017). "Menuju Asian Games 2018, Renovasi GBK Nyaris Rampung". Liputan6.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
^"Persija Hanya Bermarkas di Senayan Hingga Jelang Bulan Ramadhan". bola.com. 13 April 2016.
^Putra, Gerry. "Hadapi Persela, Persija Kembali ke Senayan". Bolalob - Situsnya Anak Futsal!. Archived from the original on 17 November 2018.
^"E-Booking Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno". gbk.id. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
^ a b"Jelang PSMS vs Persib, Kenangan Rekor 150.000 Penonton di Senayan". Kompas.com (in Indonesian). Kompas Gramedia Group. 25 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
^Zafna, Grandyos (12 January 2018). "Stadion Utama GBK juga Dilengkapi Empat Sky Box". Detik.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 21 January 2018.
^"Sukarno dan GBK". historia.id (in Indonesian). 17 March 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
^"Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Bung Karno Stadium, Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia". Archived from the original on 5 June 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ a bSalam, Fahri (17 August 2018). "Sejarah Desain Atap Temugelang Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno". tirto.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 December 2023.
^Laksmi, Brigitta Isworo; Handayani, Primastuti (15 June 2008). M.F. Siregar, matahari olahraga Indonesia. Penerbit Buku Kompas. ISBN 9789797093884 – via Google Books.
^Media, Kompas Cyber (4 November 2021). "De-Soekarnoisasi, Upaya Soeharto Melemahkan Pengaruh Soekarno Halaman all". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 December 2023.
^Media, Kompas Cyber (10 July 2018). "Perubahan dan Asal Usul Nama Gelora Bung Karno". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 December 2023.
^"Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium Ready for 2018 Asian Games". Jakarta Globe. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
^Rahmat, Arby (12 January 2018). "Lampu Stadion GBK Saingi San Siro Milan". CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 14 January 2018.
^Baskoro, Rangga (12 January 2018). "SU GBK Jadi Stadion Paling Terang Di Asia". Tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
^"GBK stadium to go dark for Earth Hour". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
^Diah, Femi (29 September 2017). "Wajah Terkini Stadion Utama GBK: Rasa Baru yang Makin Merah Putih". Detik.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 12 January 2018.
^Raya, Mercy (12 January 2018). "Stadion Utama GBK Sudah Lebih Ramah Disabilitas". Detik.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 12 January 2018.
^"Welcoming The New Face of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium". Tempo. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
^"Tempo online: Sang Gembala Itu Telah Datang". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
^Rangkaian Peringatan 100 Tahun Kebangkitan Nasional
^"Rock stars turn Jokowi's final campaign rally into a free concert". The Straits Times. 14 April 2019.
^daniel.tanamal (9 December 2018). "Setelah Dua Tahun, GTI Kembali Rayakan Natal di GBK". jawaban.com (in Indonesian). CBN Indonesia 2014- Jawaban.com. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
^"30 Ribu Banser Amankan Harlah NU di Gelora Bung Karno". Tempo.co (in Indonesian). 17 July 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
^"Ribuan Peserta Muktamar Hizbut Tahrir Berdatangan, Senayan Macet". Liputan6.com (in Indonesian). 2 June 2013. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017.
^"Ujian CPNS di Gelora Bung Karno". Tribunnews.com.
^Azanella, Luthfia Ayu (11 July 2021). Wedhaswary, Inggried Dwi (ed.). "Vaksin Gratis di GBK dan JIExpo untuk 60.000 Orang, Tak Harus KTP DKI" [Free Vaccine Shots at GBK and JIExpo for 60.000 people, DKI ID Card Not Required]. Kompas.com (in Indonesian). Kompas. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
^"Enam hal tentang Misa Agung Katolik yang diadakan di Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno pada tanggal 5 September 2024". detiknews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 September 2024.
^"Tampil di Jakarta, Ed Sheeran Minta Maaf Sempat Batal Konser". CNN Indonesia. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
^"6 Potret Raisa Live In Concert: Jadi Penyanyi Wanita Pertama Gelar Konser Tunggal di Stadion Utama GBK Jakarta, Perasaannya Campur Aduk". Liputan 6. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
^"Blackpink Jadi Artis K-Pop Pertama yang Gelar Konser Solo di GBK". Liputan 6. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
^"Dewa 19 All Stars Stadium Tour, Sejarah Kolaborasi Konser Musik Indonesia". Detik.com. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
^"📢 SMTOWN LIVE 2023 SMCU PALACE @ JAKARTA with KB Bank Sat, September 23rd 2023 6.30 PM WIB Gelora Bung Karno Stadium". Instagram. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
^"Coldplay Music of The Spheres World Tour Jakarta Gelora Bung Karno Stadium Wednesday November 15th 2023". Instagram. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
^"Konser Coldpay di Jakarta Terlaris, Raup Pendapatan Total Rp215 Miliar". VOI - Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan (in Indonesian). Retrieved 26 December 2023.
^"Harga Tiket Konser NCT Dream The Dream Show 3 Jakarta dan Cara Belinya". IDN Times. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
^"NCT Dream Sukses Gelar Konser di GBK Jakarta, Dibanjiri 40.000 Penggemar". yoursay.id (in Indonesian). 20 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
^"Lot Detail – Michael Jackson Personally Owned "Meditation" Note and Original 1993 World Tour Itinerary". Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
^Lutfia, Ismira. "Lady Gaga Cancels Jakarta Concert". Jakarta Globe. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
^Due to COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, Raisa Live in Concert, which was scheduled for June 27, later November 28, 2020, was rescheduled to February 25, 2023
Bibliography
Pour, Julius (2004), Dari Gelora Bung Karno ke Gelora Bung Karno (in Indonesian), Jakarta: Grasindo, ISBN 978-979-732-444-5.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
Profile on GBK Sports Complex official website (archived)