The competition between Persib and Borneo is tight, I.League prepares champion trophies in both Bandung and Samarinda.

The title race for the BRI Super League 2025/2026 has entered its most high-stakes phase. As of Matchweek 32, Persib Bandung and Borneo FC remain dead level on points. Competition operator I.League has prepared two separate contingency schemes for the championship trophy handover.

I.League Operations Director Asep Saputra confirmed the governing body will deploy the official trophy to two separate cities: Bandung and Samarinda. This step is taken to prepare for a title race that will almost certainly go down to the very final round of the season.

"Where is the trophy? We will have it ready at both locations if there is still no clear leader after Matchweek 33," Asep stated during a press appearance in Jakarta.

This deadlock perfectly illustrates the ferocious competition at the top of the table this season. Persib officially leads the provisional Standings on 75 points, but Borneo sits immediately in second place with an identical points tally.

This upcoming Weekend will act as the critical turning point. Persib will travel away to face PSM Makassar on Sunday 17 May, while Borneo will host Persijap Jepara at exactly the same kickoff time.

Should both sides register wins this weekend, the title battle is guaranteed to stretch to a dramatic final matchday of the campaign.

On that decisive final round, Persib are scheduled to host Persijap at their home ground in Bandung, while Borneo will welcome Malut United in Samarinda.

With two separate stadiums now potentially set to host championship victory celebrations, I.League has been forced to operate with full dual contingency plans.

That said, Persib holds the advantage courtesy of a superior head-to-head record against Borneo. This means if both clubs win their remaining two fixtures, Maung Bandung will automatically be confirmed as league champions.

For Asep, this tight title race only demonstrates the improving quality, competitiveness and unpredictability of domestic Football. He noted that a race going down to the final match is clear proof that the BRI Super League has matured into a properly competitive competition.

"This is exactly what makes this BRI Super League 2025/2026 season so special. It was a three-way fight between Persib, Borneo and Persija for most of the campaign, now it is down to these two, and even right now nobody can call the result," Asep commented.

Asep also pointed out that last-gasp title deciders are not a new phenomenon for Indonesian Football. He recalled the 2018 season, when Persija Jakarta secured the championship by just one single point ahead of PSM Makassar.

"This is not unusual at all. Back in 2018 the exact same scenario played out, when LIB (Liga Indonesia Baru, the former name of I.League) also had the title split between sides in Makassar and Jakarta. This happens every few years in the Premier League too. This is just the thrilling, unscripted nature of competitive sport," he added.

When pressed for details on which city would receive the replica trophy, Bandung or Samarinda, Asep refused to confirm the information.

"That is one detail we will leave for the press to speculate about. All you need to know is there will be complete equal treatment between both clubs. You can interpret that however you wish," he concluded.