Foundation and Galatama era (1988–1994) Barito Putera was founded in 1988 by H. A. Sulaiman and participated in the 1988–89 Galatama season. Andi Lala was their first
coach. For the 1990 season, they signed Frans Sinatra Huwae, who would later be their captain and club legend, and Sukma Sejati as coach. The next year, Sukma Sejati was replaced by Maryoto, who previously coached Frans Sinatra Huwae in Diklat Ragunan.
Salahuddin joined Barito and was called to the
Indonesia national team for the
1991 Southeast Asian Games, where he won the gold medal. In late 1992, Maryoto was replaced by Andi Teguh because he was appointed as the national team coach. Andi Teguh managed to guide Barito Putera to a third-place finish in the 1992–93 Galatama season with players such as Frans Sinatra Huwae, Salahuddin, Zainuri, Yusuf Luluporo, Abdillah, Albert Korano, Fahmi Amiruddin, Samsul Bahri, Joko Hariyono, Heriansyah and Saiman. In the last season of Galatama,
Daniel Roekito replaced Andi Teguh and Buyung Ismu was one of the most feared strikers in Indonesia. Because of financial problems, Barito Putera was relegated to the
Liga Indonesia First Division in 2003. The crisis continued and they were relegated to the
Liga Indonesia Second Division in 2004, despite the new coach Gusti Gazali. Finally in 2008, they won the Liga Indonesia Second Division, and earned promotion to the Liga Indonesia First Division. In 2010, Barito finished in top eight and was promoted to the Liga Indonesia Premier Division. In the
2021–22 Liga 1 season Barito finished above
Persipura Jayapura although having the same points due to head-to-head rule after drawing 1–1 against
Persib Bandung in the final matchday, but
three seasons later they were relegated to
Liga 2 despite beating
PSIS Semarang 2–1 in the final matchday. == Crest and stadium ==