The Jakarta Provincial Government estimates that the 2026 Jakarta Running Festival (JRF) and American rapper Ye’s concert will generate more than IDR 150 billion in economic activity, as the capital seeks to strengthen its position as a destination for international events.
Chico Hakim, a special staff member to Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung, said the events were part of the administration’s efforts to attract visitors and support local businesses, including hotels, transport operators, restaurants and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
“The Jakarta Provincial Government’s support for events like the JRF and the Ye concert is part of a consistent policy under the leadership of Governor Pramono Anung. We want the economic benefits to be felt directly by the public, from the hotel, transportation, and culinary sectors to MSMEs. while simultaneously reinforcing Jakarta’s image as a city prepared to host international events,” Chico said in a written statement on Sunday (25 October).
Ye Concert Draws International Visitors
Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, performed at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (24 October). The concert, titled Ye Live, opened with “King” and featured approximately 30 songs, including “Runaway” and “Carnival”.
The performance featured a large, dome-shaped stage displaying a rotating image of the Earth. Karen Tjahja, marketing and communications lead at promoter Raw Vision Collective, said the 360-degree stage structure had been flown in from overseas.
The promoter reported that more than 20,000 international visitors had purchased tickets, with buyers primarily coming from Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. More than 30,000 visitors from outside Jakarta were also expected to attend, according to the provincial government.
Joaquin, a fan who travelled from Perth, Australia, to attend the concert, described the experience positively.
“The concert was incredible, he played all my favourite songs, there were plenty of fireworks, and the stage design was magnificent,” Joaquin said on Saturday night.
Jakarta was the only stop in Southeast Asia and Oceania on Ye’s 2026 live concert tour, which also includes destinations in the United States, Kazakhstan and Portugal.
The provincial government expects the concert and JRF to generate more than IDR 150 billion in economic activity combined. Chico said Governor Pramono was optimistic that the final figure could exceed the initial projection.
“Regarding JRF 2026 and the Ye concert, Governor Pramono is optimistic that the economic turnover will exceed the projected IDR 150 billion. Field reports indicate that hotels along the race route and in the surrounding areas, extending even to the city’s outskirts, are already fully booked,” Chico said, as quoted from Kumparan.
Lihat postingan ini di Instagram
Running Festival and Government Support
The 2026 JRF took place on 24 and 25 October, attracting approximately 37,000 runners from 48 countries, including more than 1,000 international participants. Its half-marathon category also received the World Athletics Gold Label designation.
Pramono officiated the start of the full marathon and took part in the 10-kilometre race. He described the event as well organised and enjoyable, adding that it could serve as a model for future running events in Indonesia.
To support both events, the provincial government coordinated weather modification operations with the Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) from 21 to 25 October. The measures were intended to help manage weather conditions during the events.
Public transport services were also extended. The Jakarta MRT operated until 1.30 am Western Indonesian Time on 25 October to accommodate concertgoers, while TransJakarta provided additional services. JRF participants were also entitled to free public transport, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
Approximately 2,000 joint personnel were deployed for concert security and traffic management. Sunday’s Car Free Day activities along the Sudirman–Thamrin corridor and Jalan HR Rasuna Said were suspended to accommodate the running festival.
Pramono said Jakarta was becoming more vibrant as the city hosted more international concerts and sporting events. He cited The Weeknd’s two-day concert at Jakarta International Stadium on 26 and 27 September, which reportedly attracted more than 60,000 attendees each day, alongside the Ye concert and JRF.
He also highlighted the planned three-day BTS concert on 26, 27 and 29 December 2026, as well as a Westlife concert scheduled for January 2027.
“BTS can perform for three days in Jakarta and stay for four, that’s extraordinary,” Pramono said.
The governor said large-scale events could help stimulate Jakarta’s economy amid ongoing financial pressures faced by the local government. The administration expects spending by visitors on accommodation, transport, food, retail and other services to contribute to the city’s economic activity.
