Harapan Bangsa Stadium

Construction ran from February 1991 to December 1996, and the stadium was officially opened on 1 January 1997. From the start it was conceived as the flagship of the Harapan Bangsa Sports Complex in Lhong Raya, designed to combine a football pitch with an athletics track for the wider region.

Rebuilding and major events

The stadium's story is bound up with the tsunami of 26 December 2004, which devastated the Aceh coastline. As part of the region's reconstruction the ground was repaired, with FIFA among those contributing to the work. Further upgrades followed in 2011 and 2017, and a major rebuild in 2024 prepared the complex to host the opening ceremony of the Pekan Olahraga Nasional (PON) 2024, Indonesia's national multi-sport games. In December 2017 the stadium staged the Aceh World Solidarity Tsunami Cup, an international tournament commemorating the disaster's victims, contested by the national teams of Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Brunei and Indonesia. The ground remains in full use today and also serves as an official venue for Indonesia's national team.

When Persiraja play at home, Lhong Raya turns into a focal point of Acehnese passion. The club's supporters, proudly styled "Laskar Rencong" — warriors of the traditional rencong dagger — create a loud, colourful backdrop of drums, chants and yellow flags.

Laskar Rencong in full voice

Football runs deep in Banda Aceh, and Persiraja, nicknamed Laskar Rencong, is one of the oldest and most cherished clubs in Indonesia. Home matches are a community occasion: families, youth groups and committed ultras fill the stands in club colours. The atmosphere also reflects the province's wider story — after the 2004 catastrophe, sport helped to heal and unite. Chants ring out in both Acehnese and Indonesian, and derbies or fixtures against big visitors from other islands send the noise rolling around the complex. For opponents the pitch can be a difficult place: tropical heat, humidity and relentless home support make Lhong Raya a true stronghold.

Harapan Bangsa Stadium lies in the Lhong Raya district on the southern edge of Banda Aceh, a few kilometres from the historic centre. The complex is easy to reach and surrounded by other sporting venues.

Practical information

From central Banda Aceh the easiest way to the ground is by taxi, ride-hailing app (Gojek/Grab) or a local motorcycle taxi (ojek). Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport is about a 30-minute drive away. On matchday, arrive early, wear light, breathable clothing and bring plenty of water for the tropical climate, and expect a lively crowd of Persiraja fans.

• Location: Harapan Bangsa Sports Complex, Lhong Raya, Banda Aceh
• Getting there: Gojek/Grab, taxi or ojek; airport ~30 min
• Matchday: come early, light clothing, water, wear club colours
• Nearby: Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, the Aceh Tsunami Museum, the boat-on-a-house (PLTD Apung) and Ulee Lheue harbour