The 2018 Liga 3 National Zone Route was played from 14 July to 20 October 2018.[1] A total of 32 teams competed in the national zone route to decide 20 of the 32 places in the national round of the 2018 Liga 3.[2]
The following 32 teams entered the national zone route:
There should be 40 teams relegated from 2017 Liga 2 competed in this route,[4] [5] but Pro Duta and Persifa Fak-fak disqualified. On 5 June 2018, PSSI disqualified PPSM Magelang and Sragen United.[6] Also PS Bengkulu, PS Timah BaBel, and Persigubin Gunung Bintang withdrew from the competition.[7] Later on 28 July 2018, PSSI disqualified Yahukimo because they didn't attend match coordination meeting in Gawalise Stadium.[8]
In the preliminary round, 32 teams divided into eight groups. Each group was played on a home-and-away round-robin basis, except for group 7 and 8 that is played on a home tournament. The winners and runner-ups from each group advanced to national round of 2018 Liga 3.
In the play-off round, third-placed teams on each group competed in a knockout round home and away tournament. Each winners advanced to national round of 2018 Liga 3.
The schedule of each round was as follows.[1]
| Round | Match date | |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary round | 14 July – 23 September 2018 | |
| Play-off round | 22 September – 7 October 2018 |
A total of 32 teams played in the preliminary round.
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On 28 August 2018, PS West Sumbawa withdrew from the competition after 3 matches. The other teams' results against PS West Sumbawa was annulled.[9] |}
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A total of eight teams played in the play-off round: third-placed teams on each group.
The following teams qualified from national zone route for the national round.
| Qualified teams | Qualified as | Qualified on |
|---|---|---|
| 757 Kepri Jaya | Group 1 winner | |
| PSCS | Group 3 winner | |
| PS Badung | Group 7 winner | |
| PSBL | Group 1 runner-up | |
| Persiba Bantul | Group 4 runner-up | |
| Persewangi | Group 7 runner-up | |
| Persekap | Group 6 runner-up | |
| Persibas | Group 3 runner-up | |
| Persik | Group 5 runner-up | |
| Persijap | Group 4 winner | |
| Bogor | Group 2 winner | |
| Lampung Sakti | Group 2 runner-up | |
| PSBK | Group 5 winner | |
| Persekam Metro | Group 6 winner | |
| Persatu | Play-off winner | |
| PSGC | Play-off winner | |
| Persinga | Play-off winner | |
| Celebest | Group 8 winner | |
| Perseka | Group 8 runner-up | |
| Perssu | Play-off winner | |