KUDUS – The 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup offers more than just women's soccer matches in Kudus. Alongside the competition, the community has a space to gather, enjoy entertainment, engage in various activities, and discover local products at the Srikandi Fair.
Held at Rendeng Field from August 17 to August 23, 2026, the Srikandi Fair is part of the events celebrating Indonesia's 81st Independence Day. The fairgrounds feature 35 booths from local Kudus MSMEs, various carnival games, children's rides, an entertainment stage, and a large screen for viewing Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 matches.
A Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation booth is also present, showcasing various sports merchandise, including jerseys and other items. These activities provide the public with diverse ways 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 efforts to strengthen the city's image as a sports tourism destination while stimulating the local economy.
“This event further strengthens Kudus' reputation as a sports tourism destination, boosts the people's economy, and celebrates the achievements of our nation's daughters through football, coinciding with Indonesia's Independence Day,” Sam’ani stated.
Teddy also expressed appreciation to the local government and the community for their reception of the Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026. He noted that such support demonstrates the growth of the women's football ecosystem in Kudus, which features a structured development pathway from grassroots level to the national team.
"We thank the Regency Government and the people of Kudus for their support in developing women's soccer. 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 soccer development that starts from an early age, such as the MilkLife Soccer Challenge, HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, and up to the U-16 Women's National Team level," said Teddy.
For visitors, the Srikandi Fair offers an experience distinct from the match area. Attendees can engage in various activities, from tasting local food and browsing regional products to trying games, enjoying live music, or watching matches on a large screen.
Nanda Dwi Fauziah, a Kudus resident, came initially to attend a match. However, the various activities surrounding the location piqued her curiosity about the Srikandi Fair.
"There is a soccer tournament over there, and next to it there's this, which makes me curious. The event is quite intriguing," Nanda said.
That curiosity drew her into the fairgrounds. One of the highlights that caught her attention was the musical performance on the entertainment stage.
"The live music sounds exciting, it feels sophisticated and lively," she said.
For Nanda, the addition of a fair provides extra activities during sporting events. Beyond just watching matches, spectators can enjoy the atmosphere surrounding the venue.
Another highlight for Nanda was seeing the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus host an international competition featuring participants from seven nations. She noted the transformation of Rendeng Field, typically a local community sports venue, into a hub for international competition.
"We came for the match and the Srikandi Fair. The quality of the play was exceptional and the talent was impressive. It is quite surprising to see Rendeng Field used for a major international event like this," she said.
The Srikandi Fair also provides a platform for local Kudus MSMEs to engage directly with attendees, including Yeti Yuniati, owner of the MSME JV Hungry Queen, affectionately known as Bu Vanessa.
Since August 17, 2026, Yeti has operated a stall serving various dishes, including soto Betawi, rice bowls, and assorted fritters. Among these, the soto Betawi has emerged as the most popular choice.
"The soto Betawi is the bestseller because it is rarely found here and it has a savory flavor," Yeti said.
Soto Betawi is priced at Rp 25,000 per serving, rice bowls at Rp 15,000, and fritters are sold at three for Rp 5,000.
While the majority of her customers during the two-day event have been from Kudus and surrounding areas, she has also gained new clientele through interaction at the fair.
For Yeti, the opportunity for direct consumer engagement is a primary benefit of participation, allowing her products to reach a broader, more diverse audience.
"I have picked up some new customers. The Srikandi Fair is certainly opening doors to new business opportunities. I am planning to potentially open my own shop in the future," she stated.
For Yeti, the value of event participation extends beyond immediate transactions, as the new connections made during the fair could serve as a catalyst for long-term business growth.
A different story comes from Aulia Farida, who brought nasi jangkrik to the Srikandi Fair. The dish, deeply rooted in the local traditions of Kudus, stood out as a unique offering compared to other food vendors at the event.
On one occasion, the 15 portions Aulia prepared were sold out. Visitors were not only purchasing the food but also inquiring about it, as the intriguing name sparked their curiosity.
"Nasi jangkrik is the best seller because it is different from other MSME offerings here. Plus, this dish is usually only found during the Sunan Kudus buka luwur tradition at Menara Kudus," Aulia explained.
Nasi jangkrik is priced at Rp 12,000 per portion. Additionally, Aulia offers cup noodles for approximately Rp 10,000, jelly ball ice drinks for Rp 10,000, and fruit juices ranging from Rp 6,000 to Rp 10,000.
Known as a staple of the Sunan Kudus buka luwur tradition, the presence of nasi jangkrik at the Srikandi Fair provided an opportunity to introduce the delicacy to visitors who may have been unfamiliar with it.
Aulia utilizes teak leaves as a liner inside her rice bowls. According to her, this method not only helps prevent spills but also preserves the traditional essence of the nasi jangkrik presentation.
While most of her customers are still local, the interactions at the fair have shown Aulia the potential to introduce her product to a broader market.
Aulia also operates a food stall at her home, making her participation in the Srikandi Fair a valuable chance to showcase her offerings outside her usual environment.
"I hope to participate again in future events like this, and I hope my home stall remains busy as well," she said.
Beyond culinary offerings, visitors can discover a variety of sports products at the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation booth. Various items, including jerseys, are available among the selection of merchandise at the fair.
The booths complement the visitor experience, offering a range of sports-related products and official merchandise from the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026.
For families, a variety of skill games and child-friendly attractions provide alternatives beyond the matches. A Ferris wheel and carousel are among the entertainment options available for children.
This diverse setup ensures the Srikandi Fair offers more than just match-day activities, featuring culinary offerings, games, merchandise retail, entertainment, and live match broadcasts on large screens.
The entertainment stage is another highlight of the Srikandi Fair, featuring performances from artists including Muhammad Taufiq Akbar, or Topar, of the Muna Muni Band.
For the Kudus-born musician, performing at an event featuring participants from seven countries was a unique experience.
"It feels more expansive, more international. This is a major event in Kudus. Being born in Kudus, on the slopes of Mount Muria, I am truly happy and honored to be given the opportunity to join compared to previous events," Topar said.
He hopes his performance with the Muna Muni Band will be enjoyed by those attending the Srikandi Fair. According to him, the event serves as a space for residents to gather and enjoy entertainment together.
“This is a stage for the people, a celebration for the public. I want the people 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 additional options for the public while on-site.
“It is very important because sport is also sportainment; entertainment is definitely related to sports. In a competition like this, our role is to provide entertainment and have fun together,” he said.
He also expressed his appreciation for the opportunities provided to local musicians to participate in the event.
“We from Muna Muni Musik are very proud to be involved in the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup. We thank the Djarum Foundation Bakti Olahraga for bringing a world-class sporting event to Kudus,” he said.
The Srikandi Fair brings together matches, culinary vendors, MSMEs, games, merchandise, and entertainment in one area. Visitors can watch matches, try food, play games, purchase sports products, or enjoy performances by local musicians.
For business owners, the fair offers an opportunity to introduce products and reach new consumers. For local musicians, the Srikandi Fair stage provides a platform to perform in an event featuring participants from seven countries. For the public, these diverse activities offer a variety of ways to enjoy the event beyond just the matches.
The experiences of Nanda, Yeti, Aulia, and Topar highlight different levels of participation. Nanda attended as a spectator and discovered various fair activities, Yeti gained new customers for her products, Aulia promoted nasi jangkrik linked to Kudus traditions, and Topar performed with the Muna Muni Band.
A Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation booth, featuring sports merchandise, skill games, and children's rides, further complemented the event's offerings.
These elements integrated the Srikandi Fair into a sports event that also provided a platform for the community and local businesses. While matches remained the focal point of the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup, the surrounding activities connected visitors with local Kudus products, cuisine, entertainment, and regional talent. (DN/mainkekudus)
