Istora Gelora Bung Karno, indoor sports arena in Jakarta, Indonesia
Istora Gelora Bung Karno is an indoor arena in the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, with 7,166 seats after its 2018 reopening. The court and tribunes are surrounded by multi-functional rooms incorporated underneath the tribune, and five rows of all-brown wooden bleachers near Gate 1 recall the pre-renovation seating.
Construction of the arena finished on 21 May 1961, in time for the Thomas Cup held that June. In 1969, under Suharto's de-Sukarnoization policy, it was renamed Istora Senayan; President Abdurrahman Wahid restored the Gelora Bung Karno name on 17 January 2001. A 2016–2018 renovation for the Asian Games cost Rp132 billion and cut capacity from 9,500 to 7,166.
The venue is named after Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, reflecting his vision of national pride and modern infrastructure. Today it serves as a gathering place for sports fans, performers, and communities who come for badminton tournaments, concerts, and large celebrations.
The venue is easily reached by public transportation, with buses and trains running nearby, making access convenient for visitors. Arriving early for major events is recommended, as the surrounding area becomes crowded and parking fills quickly.
Five rows of brown wooden bleachers near Gate 1 were kept in the 2016–2018 renovation to recall the old Istora, whose delft blue, yellow and green seats were scrapped for grey single seats. The arena also staged the 1966 MPRS General Assembly, a political session held in a sports hall.
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