KUDUS – The community's enthusiasm for the 2026 World Cup is on full display in Kudus Regency, Central Java. Thousands of residents packed the Simpang Tujuh Town Square to participate in public screenings of the matches held in the city center. The euphoria surrounding the global football tournament has not only created a festive atmosphere for sports fans but has also provided an economic boost for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating around the event site.
From Saturday evening (June 13, 2026) through early Sunday morning (June 14, 2026), the Simpang Tujuh area was crowded with visitors gathered to watch the games on large screens. Residents from across Kudus and surrounding areas congregated to soak in the atmosphere of the quadrennial football celebration.
The presence of thousands of visitors has created lucrative opportunities for street vendors and MSMEs set up near the viewing area. A diverse array of culinary products and beverages were offered to patrons who spent hours at the location waiting for and watching the matches.
One MSME owner feeling the positive impact of the event is Restu, a seller of local coffee from the Muria Mountains. According to Restu, the World Cup viewing events have provided a timely boost to his coffee sales.
"We are being greatly helped by these World Cup viewing events. It has created a unique market for coffee MSMEs. The timing is perfect, with many young people hanging out and enjoying coffee," Restu said on Saturday (June 13, 2026).
He noted that his sales turnover had tripled compared to a typical day. In addition to freshly brewed coffee, sales of packaged ground coffee also increased during the viewing sessions.
According to Restu, many visitors have been purchasing packaged coffee as souvenirs or for personal stock to enjoy while watching matches at home. There have even been orders shipped to other cities.
"Many people are ordering for delivery out of town. This is a blessing from the World Cup," he said.
The boost in economic activity has also been felt by food vendors around the Simpang Tujuh area. Solahudin, a mobile meatball seller who usually operates in the vicinity, noted an increase in his income during the public viewing events.
According to Solahudin, hot meals are a popular choice for visitors passing the time before or during the matches.
"Thank God, there is extra income. Many visitors look for food here before or during the public viewing," he explained.
Beyond providing an economic boost for local businesses, the public viewing events have served as a gathering point for football fans from various regions. The community's enthusiasm is evident, with many willing to arrive at the crack of dawn or even stay overnight to participate in the full series of events.
One football fan, Sirril Wafa (20), said he arrived at the Simpang Tujuh square early in the morning with friends to ensure he would not miss the 2026 World Cup public viewing.
"I arrived at around 5:10 a.m. WIB. At that time, the match between Brazil and Morocco was already underway. I am grateful to the organizers and the Kudus Regency Government for hosting this event," he said.
As a fan of the Spanish national team, Sirril considers the public viewing a positive platform for football lovers to congregate and enjoy matches together.
In his view, the high public interest in football ensures that events like this are well-received. He also believes the enthusiasm observed during the public viewing reflects the deep passion Indonesians have for the sport.
Sirril expressed hope that national football development, including domestic league competitions, will continue to be improved to ensure better future growth for Indonesian football.
Additionally, he highlighted several notable match results during the 2026 World Cup. Some favored teams failed to advance further, while others delivered performances that exceeded expectations.
“Several major teams have been eliminated, which shows that the competition is getting tougher. The earlier match was also exciting, as Morocco took an early lead before Brazil equalized with a goal from Vinicius Junior,” he said.
Sirril hopes that public viewing events will not only be held during the early stages of the tournament but also for the final match.
“It would be great to hold a public viewing for the final as well, since that is the culmination of the entire World Cup. I am confident the public enthusiasm will be even greater,” he added.
Similar enthusiasm was shown by Agus Himawan, a resident of Kaliwungu District and a supporter of the French national team. Agus stated he had been at the Simpang Tujuh Town Square since Saturday evening (June 13, 2026) to participate in the various activities prepared by the organizers.
He noted that his passion for football was the main reason he was willing to stay up until the early hours to watch the matches broadcast at the public viewing.
“I have been here since last night. I started by enjoying the musical entertainment prepared by the committee, then continued watching the matches until morning,” he said.
Agus admitted he did not want to miss the Qatar versus Switzerland match held in the early morning, followed by the Brazil versus Morocco game held later that morning.
According to him, the public viewing provides a space for football fans to gather and strengthen community bonds among residents who share an interest in the sport.
“I have always been a football fan. Since there is a public viewing at the town square, I am thrilled to experience the atmosphere, especially since the World Cup only happens every four years,” he said.
He expressed hope that similar events would be held for the final, allowing the public to enjoy the peak of the World Cup excitement together.
“I think events like this are very positive. Hopefully, there will be another public viewing for the final to make the atmosphere even more festive,” he concluded.
It was not just residents of Kudus who attended the event; several visitors from surrounding areas also came to experience the atmosphere of the public viewing in the city center. One of them was Abror, a resident from Demak, who came with friends to watch the matches at the Simpang Tujuh Town Square.
According to Abror, the public screening atmosphere in Kudus offers a unique appeal, providing a lively shared viewing experience that differs from his hometown.
“My friends and I made a point to come here. We chose this spot because the atmosphere is much more vibrant and exciting than back home, where there are no large-screen public screenings,” explained Abror.
The presence of out-of-town visitors demonstrates that World Cup screenings are successfully drawing people to Kudus and encouraging participation in the various activities surrounding the event.
The series of screenings centered at Simpang Tujuh Square serves not only as entertainment but also provides economic benefits to local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating around the venue. The high turnout has boosted sales for vendors selling coffee, food, and other small goods.
Furthermore, these events provide a platform for football fans to enjoy matches together and experience the World Cup atmosphere firsthand. The enthusiasm shown by residents from late evening into the early morning hours reflects deep public interest in the global tournament, with many hoping that such screenings will continue for upcoming matches, including the final. (iwhan/hasyim/mkk)