A Guide to Organizing Esports Tournaments in Indonesia

Indonesia’s esports industry continues to grow, attracting more developers, communities, event organizers, and companies interested in hosting esports tournaments.

However, organizing an esports tournament involves more than simply preparing prizes and finding participants. Organizers also need to consider regulations issued by the Indonesian Esports Association (PB ESI), tournament classifications, public event permits, and personal data protection requirements.

Here are the key things you should know before organizing an esports tournament in Indonesia.

1. Esports Tournaments Are Classified Based on Prize Pool

One of the main factors to consider is the total prize pool offered by the tournament.

In general, tournaments can be categorized into three levels:

Small-Scale Tournaments

Tournaments with a prize pool of less than IDR 15 million are considered small-scale tournaments.

Under certain circumstances, small tournaments do not require a PB ESI permit. However, if the tournament involves a physical audience or attracts a significant crowd, additional requirements may apply, including recommendations from PB ESI.

Medium-Scale Tournaments

Tournaments with a prize pool between IDR 15 million and IDR 100 million are classified as medium-scale tournaments.

These tournaments require permission and supervision from PB ESI. Organizers may also need to meet the requirements applicable to registered tournament vendors.

Large-Scale Tournaments

Tournaments with a prize pool of more than IDR 100 million are considered large-scale tournaments.

Organizers must comply with the applicable licensing and supervision requirements established by PB ESI, as well as other requirements related to large-scale events.

2. Tournaments and Esports Leagues Are Different

A tournament and an esports league are not necessarily the same thing.

A tournament generally refers to a competition held within a specific period or series of matches. An esports league, on the other hand, typically involves a more structured and ongoing competition format.

Because leagues generally have a broader and more organized structure, their requirements can be more complex and may involve formal recognition or cooperation with PB ESI.

Therefore, organizers should determine from the beginning whether their planned event is a tournament or a league.

3. Organizers Should Pay Attention to Vendor Requirements

For certain tournaments, organizers also need to consider the regulations concerning esports tournament vendors.

PB ESI recognizes several vendor classes, each with different levels of authority.

In general:

• Class 1 vendors may organize small, medium, and large-scale tournaments.
• Class 2 vendors may organize small and medium-scale tournaments.
• Class 3 vendors are limited to small-scale tournaments.

Companies and event organizers planning to host esports tournaments on a regular basis should therefore understand the registration requirements and vendor classification before organizing their events.

4. Offline Tournaments Require Additional Considerations

Online tournaments generally have different requirements from offline events.

When a tournament is held at a physical venue and attracts a large number of participants or spectators, organizers need to consider regulations governing public gatherings.

Depending on the scale of the event, organizers may also need to obtain a public gathering permit from the police.

For this reason, organizers should not focus solely on the tournament system and competition format. Venue capacity, security, crowd management, and event permits should also be planned in advance.

5. Participant Data Must Be Properly Protected

Tournament registration usually requires participants to provide information such as their names, phone numbers, addresses, identification details, and other personal information.

Such information must be handled responsibly.

Organizers should comply with Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law (UU PDP), including requirements concerning how participant data is collected, used, stored, and disclosed.

For publicly displaying tournament results, for example, using a player’s nickname or gaming name can be preferable to publishing their full personal information.

The terms governing the use and publication of participant data should also be clearly explained during registration.

6. What If the Organizer Is a Foreign Company?

Foreign individuals or legal entities planning to organize an esports championship or tournament in Indonesia may be subject to additional requirements.

According to the applicable regulations, such events need to be organized in cooperation with PB ESI.

This is particularly relevant for international game developers and publishers planning to organize esports events in the Indonesian market.

7. Don’t Overlook Licensing and Compliance

Esports tournaments can be an effective way to build a gaming community, promote a game, and engage players.

However, the larger the event becomes, the more legal and administrative requirements organizers need to consider.

These may include:

• Prize pool classification
• Organizer status and eligibility
• PB ESI licensing and supervision
• Event recommendations
• Public gathering permits
• Venue requirements
• Participant and spectator safety
• Personal data protection

Ignoring these requirements can create problems for organizers, particularly when an event involves a large number of participants, spectators, sponsors, or substantial prize money.

Conclusion

Organizing an esports tournament in Indonesia involves more than choosing a game, creating a competition bracket, and preparing prizes.

Organizers should first determine the tournament format and scale, then ensure that the event complies with the applicable regulations.

For communities or game developers looking to organize their first competition, an online small-scale tournament with a prize pool below IDR 15 million may offer a relatively simple starting point. However, the applicable requirements should still be reviewed carefully, particularly if the event involves a physical audience or offline activities.

Larger tournaments and major offline esports events require more extensive licensing and administrative preparation.

By understanding the regulations from the beginning, organizers can run their tournaments more professionally while providing a safe, fair, and enjoyable competitive experience for players.