PERAN NEW MEDIA DALAM PEMBENTUKAN IDENTITAS SOSIAL KEAGAMAAN DI KOMUNITAS SEPAK BOLA MARKIFER FC YOGYAKARTANIM.: 24202011028Alvin Fahrizal BayyuniauthorThis study analyzes the role of new media in shaping religious identity within the Markifer FC Yogyakarta community, an informal football community that evolved from a hobby into a space for organically practiced religiosity. It addresses a gap in research on religious social identity within informal, sport-based communities, a topic mostly studied within formal da'wah institutions. This qualitative research uses a phenomenological paradigm and a case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with twelve informants (selected via purposive and maximum variation sampling), passive participant observation, and documentation, analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model, and validated through Lincoln and Guba's triangulation. The study draws on three frameworks: New Media Theory (Castells and Jenkins), Symbolic Interactionism (Blumer), and Religious Social Identity Theory (Tajfel, Turner, and Ysseldyk et al.). Findings show new media, particularly WhatsApp and Instagram, play a significant role through four key findings: (1) functioning as an informal, gradual space for da'wah and internalizing Islamic values; (2) representing the community's identity as a religious sporting community; (3) fostering solidarity and a sense of belonging among members, including converts and those rarely attending in person; and (4) the community facing challenges in maintaining value consistency and managing member heterogeneity in the digital era. Theoretically, the three frameworks are complementary: new media provide the space, interaction produces symbolic meaning, and this process crystallizes into a religious social identity collectively lived by members.302.231 Media Komunikasi, Media Massa, Media Sosial2026-08-18UIN SUNAN KALIJAGA YOGYAKARTA;FAKULTAS DAKWAH DAN KOMUNIKASIThesis