Kudus Set to Host International Women’s Soccer Trilogy, Culminating in Srikandi Merdeka Cup to Advance Women’s Football Development
An international women's football tournament will anchor a series of events hosted in Kudus.
Kudus – Kudus Regency is set to host the International Women’s Soccer Trilogy in 2026. This tiered development program for women's football features three primary agendas: the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars, the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, and the Srikandi Merdeka Cup, an international tournament serving as the event's focal point.
Utilizing a continuous development model, the initiative provides competition for young players while fostering Indonesian women's football talent from childhood through their teenage years. The full slate of activities is scheduled to take place in Kudus from June to August 2026.
Teddy Tjahjono, Program Director for the MilkLife Soccer Challenge and the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, stated that the International Women’s Soccer Trilogy was designed as a cohesive developmental ecosystem connecting various age groups.
“The Women's Soccer Trilogy is a sustainable development ecosystem we have built, spanning from early childhood to the teenage years. This journey began approximately 2.5 years ago with the MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC), which initially catered only to U10 and U12 players and has since expanded to include the U8 category,” Tjahjono said.
The MilkLife Soccer Challenge is currently hosted across 12 cities, with two series held in each location. Next year, the competition is slated to expand to 16 cities, including the addition of two locations in Papua Province.
From these competitions, top players will be selected to participate in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars as the next level of training.
The International Women’s Soccer Trilogy will commence with the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars, held in Kudus from June 24–28, 2026, bringing together all-star teams selected from various regions.
In 2026, the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars will feature 12 teams in a 9-on-9 format. Each match will consist of two 15-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime interval. All matches will be played on half-sized fields, with six games scheduled daily.
Prior to the tournament, participants are scheduled for arrival and a welcome dinner on June 21–22, 2026. On June 23, teams will hold practice sessions, attend technical meetings, and engage in cultural visits. Matches will run through the final round on June 28, 2026.
Beyond the football matches, organizers are preparing various supporting events, including coloring and drawing competitions, the Seneng Soccer All Stars Festival, and booths for local MSMEs.
According to Tjahjono, the trilogy format was chosen because player development requires consistency that cannot be achieved through a single competition.
“We chose the trilogy format because player development cannot stop at one tournament. After the MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC) for early childhood groups, we introduced the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 for U15 and U18 to provide players with a platform to continue growing as they enter their teens. This is the only league-format competition for these age groups in Indonesia,” he said.
The next stage is the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, scheduled for July 5–12, 2026, in Kudus. This competition provides the top players from the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 with a higher level of competitive experience.
The HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 will feature U15 and U18 categories, with eight teams participating in each age group. Matches will follow 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 formats, depending on the category.
The HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 agenda begins with participant arrivals on July 3, 2026, followed by practice sessions and technical meetings on July 4. The tournament will span seven days of play, concluding with the final on July 12, 2026.
Various supporting events are also set for the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, including music festivals, modern dance or cheerleading showcases, and local MSME exhibitions.
Tjahjono emphasized that the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars and the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 are vital components of the development pathway, as they unite the finest talent from across the country.
"Through the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars and HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, the best players from various regions can meet, compete, and gain more competitive experience. This trilogy creates a connected development pathway from one level to the next," he said.
The culmination of the International Women’s Soccer Trilogy will take place during the Srikandi Merdeka Cup, scheduled for August 13–19, 2026, at the Super Soccer Arena in Kudus.
This international tournament is designed as a platform for nurturing the Women’s National Team while providing a stage for young talent to develop ahead of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.
The top athletes selected from the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 will represent the Women’s National Team in the tournament.
"For the next stage, the best female athletes from the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 will represent the Women’s National Team in the Srikandi Merdeka Cup international tournament, to be held at the Super Soccer Arena in Kudus from August 13-19, 2026," said Teddy.
The Srikandi Merdeka Cup is scheduled throughout August 2026, with an official itinerary starting with participant arrivals on August 11–12, official training on August 13, and the final match on August 23, 2026.
The tournament is part of Indonesia’s independence celebrations, featuring an international women’s football competition that brings together athletes from various countries. Beyond the matches, organizers have planned supporting events, including an inter-village gateway competition, an independence parade, a fan competition, an MSME bazaar, and musical entertainment at the Super Soccer Arena.
Kudus Regent Sam'ani Intakoris welcomed the decision to host the International Women’s Soccer Trilogy in Kudus. He noted that the presence of competitions ranging from national to international levels could generate significant positive economic impact for the region.
"Sports tourism in Kudus can further increase. MSMEs, hotels, and vehicle rental services will all benefit. We thank the Djarum Foundation for holding this event in Kudus," said Sam'ani.
He also encouraged the public to contribute to the success of the international tournament by acting as gracious hosts for participants and guests from various countries.
"This is an international tournament featuring more than six countries. Let us work together to be good hosts, welcoming international guests with hospitality while maintaining security and order throughout the matches," he said.
Organizers aim for the International Women’s Soccer Trilogy to serve not only as a competition but also as a foundation for the long-term development of Indonesian women’s football.
"Our goal is to build a strong foundation for Indonesian women's football through sustainable and structured competition. In the medium term, the best players from the HYDROPLUS Soccer League U16 2025/2026 will represent Indonesia at the Srikandi Merdeka Cup, which will feature seven countries, as part of preparations for the AFC selections in October 2026," said Teddy.
He added that the program is aimed at preparing a generation of players capable of competing on the Asian stage in the future.
"In the long term, we want to prepare a generation of players capable of making Indonesia more competitive continentally, including looking toward the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2031. Therefore, the Women's Soccer Trilogy is not just about a tournament, but about building the future of Indonesian women’s football," he said.
Through a series of events including the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars, HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, and the Srikandi Merdeka Cup, Kudus is set to become a central hub for integrated women's soccer development. The program aims to establish a sustainable player pathway while providing competitive international-level experience for Indonesia’s young athletes.
Kudus Regent Sam’ani Intakoris welcomed the decision to host these national and international women's soccer events in the city. He noted that the influx of thousands of athletes, officials, and supporters is expected to provide a significant boost to the local economy, benefiting sectors ranging from micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) and hospitality to transportation and tourism.
“Sports tourism in Kudus Regency is poised for further growth. MSMEs, hotels, and vehicle rental services will all benefit. We extend our gratitude to the Djarum Foundation for bringing these activities to Kudus,” he said.
He added that the Kudus Regency Government has made extensive preparations to welcome participants and guests from both across the country and abroad. In addition to local businesses, the hospitality sector has been fully prepared to accommodate the needs of athletes and supporters throughout the tournament.
“We have coordinated with various hotels in Kudus and the surrounding areas to accommodate approximately 1,500 athletes, officials, and supporters. We are confident the capacity is sufficient. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce the culinary scene, tourism, and the hospitality of the people of Kudus to our visitors,” he said.
Seven Nations to Compete
The International Srikandi Merdeka Cup will bring together teams from seven nations:
• Indonesia (2 teams)
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• Saudi Arabia
• Jordan
This tournament serves as an international platform for women’s soccer players representing their respective countries.
Participants will engage in a series of matches held in Kudus. Beyond the competitive aspect, the tournament is now a fixture on the local women's soccer calendar.
The presence of international participants offers Indonesian players a valuable opportunity to test themselves against teams from other countries in an official match environment.
Hosted at Supersoccer Arena Kudus
All scheduled matches will take place at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus. In recent years, the stadium has served as a venue for various women’s soccer activities, ranging from youth-level tournaments to high-level competitions.
Djarum Foundation representative Slamet Raharjo explained that the U-16 Srikandi Merdeka Cup is expected to attract around 500 participants. When combined with the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars, HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, and the Srikandi Merdeka Cup, the total number of athletes visiting Kudus is projected to reach between 1,000 and 1,500, excluding supporters.
“When counting the MilkLife All Stars, HYDROPLUS All Stars, and the Srikandi Merdeka Cup, we expect between 1,000 and 1,500 participants to come to Kudus, not including the supporters,” he stated.
Slamet confirmed that Indonesia will field two teams: the Garuda Pertiwi team and the Putri Nusantara team.
According to Slamet, the selection of Kudus Regency as the host for the International Women’s Soccer Trilogy is linked to the historical commitment of the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation in developing women’s soccer within the region.
The decision to hold the event in Kudus aligns with the various women’s soccer initiatives previously hosted in the city.
In addition to international matches, numerous youth development programs and competitions have been held in Kudus over the past few years, drawing participants from across Indonesia.
Part of a Wider Women's Soccer Series
The International Women's Soccer Trilogy is structured as a series of interconnected events focused on the development of women's soccer, implemented in stages.
The Srikandi Merdeka Cup is a key component of this series. The tournament facilitates international competition and expands the calendar of women's soccer events in Indonesia.
Organizers are optimistic that the event will proceed according to schedule and provide a meaningful competitive experience for all involved.
Advancement in Women's Soccer Competition
In recent years, women's football competitions and activities have regained momentum across several regions in Indonesia. These include youth competitions, inter-school tournaments, and international matches, all aimed at providing increased competitive opportunities for female athletes.
Kudus has become a hub for regular women's football activities through various programs and competitions. The introduction of the International Women’s Soccer Trilogy further bolsters the city's sporting agenda.
By hosting international tournaments, the public has the opportunity to witness women's football matches featuring participants from various nations.
An International Event in Kudus
The Srikandi Merdeka Cup International marks the arrival of an inter-country women's football tournament in Kudus. Featuring teams from six countries, the event is part of the International Women’s Soccer Trilogy hosted in the city.
The tournament is scheduled to take place at the Supersoccer Arena, showcasing matches between international squads. This event strengthens the city's sports calendar and contributes to the ongoing, year-round women's football initiatives in the region.
For the participants, the tournament offers vital experience in international competition. For the public, it provides a rare opportunity to watch women's football from across the globe in a single location.