Minister of Youth and Sports Regulation Number 9 of 2026 on Comprehensive Consolidation of Sports Industry Regulation and Risk-Based Licensing

Introduction

On 17 April 2026, the Ministry of Youth and Sports issued Minister of Youth and Sports Regulation Number 9 of 2026 on the Sports Industry (“Regulation 9/2026”), which took effect on the same date. This Regulation implements the mandate of Article 43 paragraph (2) and Article 86 of Government Regulation Number 46 of 2024 on the Administration of Sports, as well as Article 5 paragraph (7) of Government Regulation Number 28 of 2025 on the Implementation of Risk-Based Business Licensing.

The development of the sports industry in Indonesia demonstrates increasingly dynamic growth, marked by rising public demand for sports products, services, activities, infrastructure, and economic opportunities. This condition requires a more comprehensive and integrated regulatory framework. In addition, a strong legal foundation is necessary for the implementation of the sports industry to ensure legal certainty, integration, efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. Accordingly, Regulation 9/2026 consolidates all regulations related to the sports industry into a single comprehensive regulation, including new provisions on Professional Sports and Risk-Based Business Licensing (“RBBL”) in the sports sector.

 

Comparison

Regulation 9/2026 revokes and replaces Minister of Youth and Sports Regulation Number 3 of 2023 on the Development and Advancement of the Sports Industry (“Regulation 3/2023”). The following table presents a comparison between Regulation 9/2026 and Regulation 3/2023.

 

Key Provisions

Forms of the Sports Industry and Its Ecosystem Development

Article 4 of Regulation 9/2026 maintains the classification of the Sports Industry into goods and/or services; however, all such goods and/or services must comply with intellectual property (IP) provisions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Goods under Article 5 include eight categories, ranging from sports facilities such as stadiums, sport-specific equipment, sports apparel and accessories, sport science equipment, fitness and recovery equipment, sports medical equipment, sports supplements, to other supporting infrastructure and facilities. Meanwhile, Article 6 regulates nine categories of services, including championships, festivals, professional services, agency services, outdoor activities, and supporter management.

Article 8 establishes seven pillars for strengthening the Sports Industry ecosystem under the responsibility of the Central Government and/or Regional Governments. Compared to Regulation 3/2023, two additional pillars are introduced: (f) development of Sports Tourism; and (g) provision of incentives and/or facilitation for Sports Industries.

Development of Sports Tourism

Regulation 9/2026 introduces a new definition of Sports Tourism in Article 1 point 14 as tourism activities utilizing sports as a means to promote tourism. Article 28 affirms that Sports Tourism constitutes an integral part of Sports Industry Development and must generate added economic, social, and cultural value for the community. Its implementation must comply with seven key aspects under Article 29: regional potential; health, safety, and security; accessibility and inclusivity; environmental sustainability; socio-cultural values; economic benefits for the community; and sustainable sports development.

The implementation of Sports Tourism is carried out through six mechanisms under Article 31: fulfillment of human resources; promotion of host tourism destinations for championships; organization of championships in tourism destinations; promotion of domestic products and MSMEs; utilization of sports infrastructure and facilities; and fitness-oriented sports tourism activities. Under Article 38, the Central Government is responsible for formulating national policies and providing ecosystem support, while Regional Governments are responsible for developing local potential and facilitating implementation. The community plays an active role through participation, promotion, and utilization of business opportunities.

Professional Sports

Chapter III of Regulation 9/2026 (Articles 41–76) governs Professional Sports. Pursuant to Article 41, any person may become a Professional Athlete upon fulfilling three requirements:

1. Having previously been an Amateur Athlete and/or having participated in periodic competitions, evidenced by a certificate from the parent sports organization;
2. Meeting employment requirements, evidenced by a copy of an employment contract or agreement; and
3. Meeting medical requirements, evidenced by a health certificate issued by a doctor appointed by the relevant Sports Governing Body.

Article 44 requires every Professional Athlete to enter into an employment contract/agreement that at least includes:

1. Rights and obligations of the parties;
2. Wages, bonuses, allowances, and insurance;
3. Term of the agreement;
4. Support for the implementation of the contract object; and
5. Dispute resolution mechanisms.

Article 46 provides that Professional Athletes are entitled to:

1. Be accompanied by managers, coaches, medical personnel, psychologists, legal experts, and other professionals;
2. Participate in competitions at all levels;
3. Receive development from the governing body; and
4. Obtain fair income in accordance with professional sports standards.

Article 47 requires such accompanying personnel to hold competency certificates in their respective fields, and the Sports Governing Body must ensure their availability. Furthermore, Article 73 requires any foreign individual and/or legal entity organizing international sports championships in Indonesia to establish partnerships with Sports Governing Bodies and/or Professional Sports Organizations. This obligation aims to promote knowledge and technology transfer, athlete career development, and the growth of the national sports industry.

RBBL in the Sports Sector

Article 77 establishes the RBBL system, classifying sports sector business activities into four risk levels: low, low-medium, medium-high, and high. All businesses must comply with business activity standards according to their respective risk levels as set out in Annex I of Regulation 9/2026. Article 78 stipulates that compliance with such standards is evidenced by the possession of a Standard Certificate for sports businesses.

Article 80 regulates the distribution of supervisory authority in a tiered manner. The Ministry (through the relevant deputy) supervises foreign investment businesses located outside Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Free Trade Zones and Free Ports (KPBPB), and the Nusantara Capital Authority area, as well as high-risk domestic investment businesses outside those areas. Provincial governments supervise medium-high risk domestic businesses, while regency/municipal governments supervise low and low-medium risk domestic businesses. SEZ Administrators, KPBPB Authorities, and the Nusantara Capital Authority supervise all sports businesses within their respective jurisdictions.

Article 82 provides that RBBL supervision is conducted in an integrated manner through the supervisory subsystem of the OSS (Online Single Submission) System. Supervision consists of: (a) routine supervision through review of business reports and/or field inspections; and (b) incidental supervision conducted at specific times. For low-risk business activities, supervision is conducted only on an incidental basis. Business reports must include compliance with licensing requirements and the progress of investment realization.

 

Sanctions

Article 84 stipulates eight conditions under which businesses may be subject to administrative sanctions, including:

1. Failure to fulfill RBBL business activity standards;
2. Failure to submit reports;
3. Failure to realize business activities according to schedule;
4. Conducting activities inconsistent with self-declared compliance statements for low-risk businesses;
5. Conducting business activities under licenses that are not yet effective;
6. Conducting activities that endanger health, safety, and the environment;
7. Conducting activities resulting in casualties or property loss; and/or
8. Violations of laws and regulations related to business licensing and/or investment facilities.

Administrative sanctions under Article 84 paragraph (3) consist of warnings, temporary suspension of business activities, and/or revocation of business licenses. Article 86 regulates a tiered warning mechanism: the first warning allows 30 working days for compliance; the second warning provides 15 working days; and the third warning provides 10 working days. If compliance is not achieved after the third warning, a temporary suspension is imposed (Article 87), granting 30 working days for compliance.

The highest sanction, namely revocation of business licenses, is regulated in Article 88 and includes revocation of the Business Identification Number (NIB), Standard Certificate, and/or License. If the NIB is revoked, the businesses may reapply for RBBL no earlier than one year from the date of revocation. However, Article 84 paragraph (6) allows for immediate imposition of sanctions without a tiered process if the violation directly endangers the safety and security of businesses and/or the public.

Article 89 grants businesses the right to submit administrative remedies in writing, supported by evidence, to the sanctioning authority within a maximum of 7 working days from the imposition of sanctions. Under Article 91, the competent authority must issue a decision that may uphold, mitigate, aggravate, or revoke the administrative sanction within 14 working days from the date of determination.

 

Transitional Provisions

Article 98 of Regulation 9/2026 provides two transitional provisions. First, Standard Certificates for tourism businesses in the sports sector issued prior to 17 April 2026 remain valid as long as the businesses continue their operations. Second, the implementation of standard certification for the sports sector shall continue to follow existing laws and regulations until new certification mechanisms under Regulation 9/2026 are established. Additionally, Article 99 stipulates that adjustments to the implementation of RBBL in the sports sector must be completed within a maximum of 6 months from 17 April 2026.

 

Closing

Regulation 9/2026 comprehensively consolidates sports industry regulations by introducing key updates, including mandatory compliance with Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for sports goods and services, the addition of Sports Tourism as a core pillar, and the standardization of Professional Sports covering athlete qualifications, contractual protection, and local partnership obligations for foreign organizers of international championships. Furthermore, the Regulation integrates RBBL through OSS-based supervision with a structured administrative sanctions mechanism, while providing a six-month transitional period to ensure a smooth adaptation process for businesses in the sports sector.