Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, officially named Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is used mostly for association football matches, hosting the home games of the Indonesia national team as well as numerous local football club games.
Opened on 24 July 1962 to host the fourth Asian Games, it replaced the Ikada Stadium which was considerably smaller. The seating capacity of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium is currently set at 77,193, making it the largest stadium in Indonesia and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The stadium was designed by architect Frederich Silaban along with construction company PT. Adhi Karya and had a construction cost of IDR 12.5 billion.
As a historic and iconic stadium in Indonesia, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium has hosted several notable international matches and events, including the Asian Games, the AFF Championship, and the AFC Asian Cup. In a 2018 StadiumDB.com poll, it was ranked among the top 10 most beautiful stadiums in the world. By its sixtieth birthday, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium had welcomed more than 30 million spectators. The stadium is also one of the potential venues for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, if Indonesia's bid to host the tournament is successful.
While the previous football stadium was also officially named 'Ikada Stadium', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Gelora Bung Karno is the name of the sports complex the stadium is part of, located in the center of Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. The complex itself is named after Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, which the people of Indonesia used to simply call 'Bung Karno' ('Brother Karno'). Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Gelora Bung Karno Stadium', which is usually anglicized to 'GBK Stadium'. This complex, however, is not only a football stadium but also hosts numerous other sporting facilities, including a basketball hall, a tennis court, a swimming pool, and an athletics track. It is also often used for concerts, political rallies, and national ceremonies.
In 1962, the stadium was the main venue for the Asian Games. The stadium underwent a major renovation in preparation for the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games, which included the installation of seats to replace the original concrete stands, an upgrade of the lighting system, and an improvement of the athlete's facilities. The newly renovated stadium was reopened in January 2018 and continued to be a symbol of pride for the people of Indonesia.
The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium holds a special place not only in the hearts of Indonesian football fans but also in the history of the nation. Over the years, it has been a witness to many of Indonesia's historic moments. From hosting the first Asian Games after the country's independence, serving as the stage for political rallies during the New Order era, to being the venue for the declaration of East Timor's independence, the stadium has always been more than just a sports facility. It is a testament to the country's resilience, unity, and aspiration for greatness.
Located in the center of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium is situated in a prime location with excellent accessibility. The stadium's expansive grounds allow for potential future expansion. Although the stadium is now more popularly known as Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, it was initially known as 'Bung Karno Stadium' after the first president of Indonesia, who was instrumental in its construction.
From the very beginning, the ownership of the stadium and the surrounding land has been under the control of the Indonesian Government. The stadium was established as part of a larger sports complex, with the plans for this complex having been outlined by the government as early as the mid-1950s.
Under the leadership of the then-president Sukarno, the people of Indonesia rallied behind the construction of the new stadium. Citizens contributed to the funding of the project through donations and even volunteered their time and labor to assist with the construction. There was a significant 'cement campaign', where large quantities of cement bags were donated for the building of the stadium.
The construction of the stadium officially began on February 8, 1960. Less than two years later, and at a cost of IDR 12,500,000,000, on July 24, 1962, an inaugural match was held at the stadium. It was part of the 4th Asian Games which was hosted by Indonesia. The stadium, capable of accommodating up to 77,193 spectators, was filled to capacity, marking a landmark moment in the nation's sporting history.
'Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (1962)' (in Indonesian): This source from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Indonesia, provides detailed information about the construction and inauguration of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in 1962. https://www.pu.go.id
'Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK) – until 2003': StadiumDB.com provides a chronicle of events and changes at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium up to the year 2003. https://stadiumdb.com
'GBK tidak pernah padam', Preface, Prime Books, 2003: This book provides an in-depth look at the history and significance of the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Indonesia's sporting and cultural landscape. https://primebooks.com
'PSSI 100 Tahun Kemilau - Sejarah 1', Edisi dan Konten, S.A., 2003: This book documents 100 years of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), including references to key events held at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. https://edisi-konten.com
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