Srikandi Fair Brings Vibrant Energy to International Tournament Featuring Kudus Residents
KUDUS – The 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup offers more than just women's football in Kudus. Alongside the tournament, the public has a space to gather, enjoy entertainment, participate in various activities, and explore local products at the Srikandi Fair.
Held at Rendeng Field from August 17 to August 23, 2026, the Srikandi Fair is part of a series of events coinciding with the 81st anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day. The fairgrounds feature 35 booths from local Kudus small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), carnival games, children's rides, an entertainment stage, and a large screen for viewing the 2026 Srikandi Merdeka Cup matches.
The Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation also hosts a booth offering a variety of sports merchandise, including jerseys and other items. These activities provide attendees with diverse options to enjoy the event, whether as match spectators or fair visitors.
The Srikandi Fair opened with a cultural parade from Simpang Tujuh Square to Rendeng Field. Kudus Regent Sam’ani Intakoris and Vice Regent Bellinda Birton were in attendance, joined by Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation Program Director Yoppy Rosimin and Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup Program Director Teddy Tjahjono.
For the Kudus Regency Government, this event is part of an initiative to strengthen Kudus' reputation as a sports tourism destination while stimulating the local economy.
“This event further cements Kudus' image as a sports tourism destination, boosts the local economy, and promotes women's achievements through soccer in conjunction with Indonesia's Independence Day,” said Sam’ani.
Teddy also expressed his appreciation to the local government and the people of Kudus for their warm reception of the Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026. According to him, this support highlights the development of the women's soccer ecosystem in Kudus, which features a structured pipeline from youth programs to the national team level.
“We thank the Regency Government and the people of Kudus for their support in developing women's football. Currently, two athletes from Kudus are playing for the Indonesian national team. This is a source of pride and serves as a model for women's football development starting from a young age through initiatives like the MilkLife Soccer Challenge and the HYDROPLUS Soccer League, all the way to the U-16 Women's National Team level,” Teddy said.
Watching Matches While Enjoying the People's Festival
For visitors, the Srikandi Fair offers an experience distinct from the match area. The public can engage in various activities, ranging from sampling local cuisine and browsing regional products to participating in games, enjoying live music, and watching matches on a large screen.
Nanda Dwi Fauziah, a Kudus resident, originally attended the venue to follow the football tournament. However, the variety of other activities in the vicinity piqued her curiosity about the Srikandi Fair.
“There’s a football tournament over there, and right next to it is this. It makes you curious. The event is quite intriguing,” Nanda said.
That curiosity drew her into the fair area. One of the highlights for her was the musical performance taking place on the entertainment stage.
“The live music sounds exciting; it feels quite upscale and lively,” she added.
For Nanda, the fair adds an extra layer of engagement to sporting events. Beyond just watching the matches, she enjoys the atmosphere surrounding the venue.
Another highlight for her was seeing the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus host a competition featuring participants from seven nations. Nanda noted that the Rendeng Field, traditionally a local sports ground, has now become a stage for international events.
“We came for both the match and the Srikandi Fair. The matches were incredible; the players were truly impressive. It’s quite surprising, as Rendeng Field is rarely used for major international events like this,” she said.
Showcasing a Variety of MSME Products
The Srikandi Fair also provides a platform for local Kudus MSMEs to engage directly with the public. Among them is Yeti Yuniati, owner of the MSME JV Hungry Queen, commonly known as Mrs. Vanessa.
Since August 17, 2026, Yeti has operated a stall offering a range of items, including Betawi soto, rice bowls, and various fritters. Among her offerings, the Betawi soto has proven to be the most popular.
“The Betawi soto is the best seller, as it’s rarely found here and has a savory flavor,” Yeti said.
The Betawi soto is priced at IDR 25,000 per portion, while rice bowls are IDR 15,000, and fritters are available at three for IDR 5,000.
Over two days of sales, most of her customers have been from Kudus and surrounding areas, though she has also gained new patrons through interactions at the fair.
For Yeti, the opportunity to meet consumers face-to-face is a key benefit of participating. Products that are usually sold through her daily operations are now reaching a diverse audience at a crowded event.
“I have gained new customers. The Srikandi Fair certainly opens up new opportunities to expand my client base. I might even plan to open my own shop later,” she said.
Participation in such events is measured by more than just on-site sales. For Yeti, the new customers encountered during the fair represent long-term potential for her business growth once the event concludes.
Nasi Jangkrik Highlights Kudus Culinary Heritage
A different story comes from Aulia Farida, who introduced Nasi Jangkrik to the Srikandi Fair. The dish is deeply rooted in Kudus tradition, making it a standout product compared to other food offerings at the fair.
On one occasion, all 15 portions prepared by Aulia were sold out. Visitors not only purchased the meal but were also drawn to inquire about it due to its intriguing name.
"Nasi Jangkrik is our best seller because it's distinct from other SMEs here. Plus, Nasi Jangkrik is typically only found during the Sunan Kudus 'buka luwur' tradition at Menara Kudus," explained Aulia.
Nasi Jangkrik is priced at IDR 12,000 per portion. Additionally, Aulia offers cup noodles for approximately IDR 10,000, jelly ball drinks for IDR 10,000, and fruit juices ranging from IDR 6,000 to IDR 10,000.
Nasi Jangkrik is a culinary specialty of Kudus, traditionally associated with the Sunan Kudus 'buka luwur' ceremony. Its presence at the Srikandi Fair serves as an opportunity to introduce the dish to visitors who may not have been familiar with it.
Aulia uses teak leaves as a liner inside the rice bowls. According to her, this method prevents spills while preserving the traditional presentation of Nasi Jangkrik.
While most of her customers are still locals, interactions with fairgoers have led Aulia to see potential for introducing the product to a wider market.
Aulia also operates a food stall from her home, and her participation in the Srikandi Fair provides a platform to bring her home-based products to a new environment.
"I hope to participate in future events like this and see my home stall thrive as well," she said.
Merchandise and Visitor Activities
Beyond culinary offerings, visitors can also browse various sports products at the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation booth. A range of merchandise, including jerseys, is available for purchase at the fair area.
The booths offer visitors a convenient opportunity to purchase products related to the sports and events of the 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup.
For families, the event provides a variety of activities beyond the matches, including skill games and kid-friendly attractions. A Ferris wheel and a carousel are among the entertainment options available for children.
The diverse offerings ensure the Srikandi Fair extends beyond match-related activities, featuring a range of food options, games, merchandise stalls, entertainment, and large-screen match broadcasts.
Local Musicians Take the Stage
An entertainment stage serves as another highlight of the Srikandi Fair, featuring performances from local artists such as Muhammad Taufiq Akbar, or Topar, of the Muna Muni Band.
For a musician native to Kudus, the opportunity to perform at an international event hosting participants from seven countries provided a unique experience.
"This event feels broader and more international. It is a major occasion for Kudus. Being born and raised in Kudus, on the slopes of Mount Muria, I am truly happy to have been given the chance to participate compared to previous events," said Topar.
He expressed hope that his performance with the Muna Muni Band would be enjoyed by those attending the Srikandi Fair, noting that the event serves as a community space for people to gather and enjoy entertainment together.
“This is a stage for the people, a celebration for the public. I want the residents of Kudus to come here and have fun with us,” he said.
For Topar, entertainment and sports are closely linked. While the competition remains the primary focus, music and other activities offer community members a variety of options while on-site.
“It is very important, as sports are also about sportainment; entertainment is inherently connected to sports. In a competition setting, we are here to provide entertainment and have fun together,” he added.
He also expressed appreciation for the opportunity provided to local musicians to participate in the event.
“We at Muna Muni Musik are very proud to be involved in the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup. We thank the Djarum Foundation Bakti Olahraga for bringing an international-class sporting event to Kudus,” he said.
Sports, SMEs, and Community Activities
The Srikandi Fair brings together matches, culinary options, SMEs, games, merchandise, and entertainment in one area. Visitors can watch games, sample food, participate in activities, purchase sportswear, or enjoy performances by local musicians.
For local business owners, the fair’s crowd offers a valuable opportunity to introduce products and reach new consumers. For local musicians, the Srikandi Fair stage provides a platform to perform at an event featuring participants from seven nations. Meanwhile, for the public, these varied activities provide options to enjoy the event beyond just the matches.
The experiences of Nanda, Yeti, Aulia, and Topar highlight different levels of involvement. Nanda attended as a spectator and discovered various activities at the fair. Yeti secured new customers for her products, Aulia introduced nasi jangkrik tied to Kudus traditions, and Topar performed with the Muna Muni Band.
The presence of the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation booth, featuring sports merchandise, skill-based games, and children's rides, further enhanced the onsite activities.
These events established the Srikandi Fair as an integral part of the sports tournament, providing a platform for the community and local businesses to participate. While the matches remained the centerpiece of the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup, the surrounding activities connected visitors with local products, cuisine, entertainment, and the creative potential of Kudus. (DN/mainkekudus)