Kedah Eagles beat Bomba Fighters to win STL Division One and return to the Premier League after 10 years

Kedah Eagles are back in the top flight of Malaysian sepak takraw. On Sunday, 11 October, they came from a set down to beat Bomba Fighters 2-1 in the 2026 Sepak Takraw League (STL) Division One final, winning 13-15, 15-11, 15-8. Both finalists had already earned promotion by reaching the final, and they will fill the last two places in the 12-team STL Premier League, which starts on 21 October.

How the final turned

Bomba Fighters edged a tight first set 15-13, but Kedah settled from there. They took the second set 15-11 and then pulled clear in the decider to win it 15-8.

Kosmo reported that Kedah head coach Mohd Zahir Safinyi praised his players for how they responded after losing the opening set. He said the original target set by management was only promotion, not the title. He credited the comeback to better control of the first ball, tighter defence and support from fans in Kedah.

Stadium Astro and Flashsukan both describe it as Kedah's first Division One title, and the result ends a 10-year absence from the Premier League. Bomba Fighters finished runners-up in Division One for a second season in a row, but they also go up again.

The road to the final

Both finalists needed to win their semi-finals to earn promotion. Kedah beat Terengganu Turtles 2-1 (15-12, 10-15, 15-12), which ended Terengganu's hopes of an immediate return after they were relegated from the Premier League last season. Bomba beat Sabah Mountaineers 2-0, with two close sets of 15-13 and 17-16.

Bomba had earlier beaten Pahang Mammoth in the quarter-finals.

The 12-team Premier League line-up

Kedah and Bomba join 10 established sides in the 2026 STL Premier League: Perak Bison, Melaka Titans, KL Thunders, Negeri Sembilan Antlers, Selangor Pistons, ATM Guardians, Penang Black Panthers, Johor Tigris, Kelantan Warriors and PDRM Defenders.

Melaka Titans tekong Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi told Bernama that imports from Thailand and the Philippines will make this season tougher. He said Melaka are better prepared than last year, when they had little time to get ready after going straight up from Division One.

Seven Grand Prix rounds from Ipoh to Serdang

The Premier League is played as a series of Grand Prix rounds around the country:

• GP Perak: 21-25 October, Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh
• GP Pulau Pinang: 28 October-1 November, Kompleks Sukan Balik Pulau
• GP Melaka: 11-15 November, Stadium Bukit Serindit
• GP Kuala Lumpur: 18-22 November, Stadium Titiwangsa
• GP Negeri Sembilan: 9-13 December, Karisma Arena, Seremban
• GP Johor: 23-27 December, Arena Larkin, Johor Bahru
• GP Selangor: 6-10 January 2027, Stadium MBSJ, Serdang Jaya

Astro says it will show the league on Astro Arena and Astro Arena 2, with streaming on Astro GO and sooka.

Key takeaways

• Kedah Eagles beat Bomba Fighters 13-15, 15-11, 15-8 in the STL Division One final on 11 October.
• Kedah return to the Premier League after a 10-year absence, and Bomba are also promoted.
• In the semi-finals, Kedah beat Terengganu Turtles 2-1 and Bomba beat Sabah Mountaineers 2-0.
• The 12-team STL Premier League starts with GP Perak in Ipoh from 21 to 25 October.
• The season has seven Grand Prix rounds and ends with GP Selangor from 6 to 10 January 2027.

FAQ

Who won the 2026 STL Division One title? Kedah Eagles won it, beating Bomba Fighters 2-1 in the final after losing the first set.

When does the 2026 STL Premier League start? It starts on 21 October with GP Perak at Stadium Indera Mulia in Ipoh, which runs until 25 October.

How many teams are in the STL Premier League this season? Twelve, including Kedah Eagles and Bomba Fighters, who were promoted from Division One.

Sources: Bernama, Kosmo, Stadium Astro, Flashsukan, Lumi News, Astro Media Solutions