Inspired by Anfield, GBLA Projected to Become New Sports Tourism Destination in Indonesia

When talking about football stadiums in Indonesia, most people immediately imagine the bustling crowds during matches, supporter chants, and the 90-minute electric atmosphere in the stands. However, Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium (GBLA) is being steered towards a story far grander than just being a match venue. 

The government plans to transform this stadium into a new icon for sports tourism, a place that will remain vibrant even without matches. This concept has led GBLA to start being called "Indonesia's Anfield."

In many countries, stadiums have already become tourist destinations. Anfield in Liverpool, Camp Nou in Barcelona, or Allianz Arena in Munich are examples of how sports venues transform into experience magnets, complete with museums, locker room tours, club history storytelling, and educational packages. Now, Bandung doesn't want to be left behind. GBLA is being directed onto that kind of tourism map.

From a Quiet Stadium to a Full-Day Destination

GBLA has long been known as one of Indonesia's most magnificent stadiums. Its stands are spacious, its design is modern, and its location in the Gedebage area is strategic – close to the toll road, easily accessible for out-of-town tourists. But for years, this stadium was primarily used for matches only. Outside matchdays, the stadium area tended to be quiet. That's what they are trying to change.

The new concept being discussed by the Bandung City Government, West Java DPRD, and even the World Bank points towards a leap: turning GBLA into a year-round living sports tourism destination. You don't need to wait for kick-off; the stadium can be visited anytime to enjoy attractively packaged experiences.

If this plan materializes, visitors can come on regular days for a range of engaging activities like stadium tours from the stands right down to the pitchside, visiting the Persib museum or Bandung sports museum, enjoying club and city history storytelling, seeing the player changing rooms, viewing photo galleries and memorabilia, and exploring interactive corners by participating in workshops, educational tours, or thematic festivals.

This concept is simple but very effective: the stadium becomes a living public space.

Why Does GBLA Have Great Potential?

To become "Indonesia's Anfield," a stadium needs two assets: a strong history and a fanatical community. GBLA has both.

First, this stadium is a significant symbol for Persib Bandung—the team with the largest supporter base in the country. Second, Bandung itself is a city with a creative culture and high public interest in sports. 

A 2025 Nielsen survey stated that 86 percent of Indonesians are now actively maintaining their health, and Bandung is among the cities with the most massive running, cycling, and community activity ecosystems.

With Persib managing it for the next 30 years, this stadium has the opportunity to be redesigned as an interactive space, not just a match arena.

Inspiration from Anfield and World Stadiums

As a benchmark, Anfield is the most popular example. The Liverpool stadium opens itself up to museum tours, locker room tours, club storytelling, and even family tour packages. The impact is tremendous, with nearly 400,000 visits in 2024, making it one of the world's best landmarks according to Tripadvisor.

Anfield's formula is simple: it has a historical narrative, packaged into an experience, made relevant for all ages, visitable anytime, not just on matchdays.

GBLA actually has an equally rich story. From the massive construction process, dark tales of construction controversies, Persib's historic moments, to how the stadium rose again. All of this can be crafted into an emotional and inspiring museum experience.

Bandung is a city skilled at storytelling and design. If packaged in a distinctive way, blending sport tourism and creative tourism, GBLA could have a unique character that's even more appealing than other stadiums in Indonesia.

A Living Stadium, A Moving City

Domestic and international tourist movement continues to grow. Bandung, with its natural attractions, culinary delights, and creative culture, just needs to add one more element: solid sports tourism.

If GBLA is truly developed as a sports tourism hub, the impact won't just be entertainment. It will also drive the city's economy, create business opportunities for MSMEs around the stadium, provide creative space for communities, become a new attraction for young travelers, and forge a new identity for Bandung as a sports city.

A stadium that was once sometimes quiet can now be alive seven days a week. A stadium that was once visited only for watching, now becomes a hangout spot, an educational tourism destination, and an iconic photo spot.

GBLA is not just a sports venue. It is moving towards a new phase as an urban landmark, a modern public space, and the new face of Indonesian sports tourism.