Public Viewing of the 2026 World Cup in Kudus Draws Enthusiastic Crowds, Boosting Local MSMEs and Drawing Thousands of Soccer Fans.

KUDUS – Public enthusiasm for the 2026 World Cup is palpable in Kudus Regency, Central Java. Thousands of residents gathered at the Simpang Tujuh square for a public screening 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 to local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) operating around the event site.

From Saturday evening (June 13, 2026) through early Sunday morning (June 14, 2026), the Simpang Tujuh square area was packed with visitors who arrived to watch matches on the big screen. Residents from across Kudus and surrounding areas congregated to soak in the atmosphere of the quadrennial football event.

The influx of thousands of visitors presented a significant opportunity for street vendors and MSMEs to set up stalls near the screening venue. A variety of food and beverage products were offered to spectators spending hours at the location to catch the action.

Restu, a local vendor selling coffee from the Muria Mountains, noted that the screenings have been a boon for his business. He described the event as a timely catalyst for boosting sales.

“We have really benefited from these World Cup screenings. It creates 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 reported that his sales turnover has tripled compared to ordinary days, with an increase observed in both freshly brewed onsite coffee and packaged ground coffee sales throughout the event.

According to Restu, many visitors have been purchasing packaged coffee as souvenirs or to enjoy while watching matches at home. There have even been orders shipped to other cities.

“Many people are ordering it to be sent out of town. This is a blessing from the World Cup,” he said.

The increase in economic activity is also being felt by food vendors around the Simpang Tujuh area. Solahudin, a local meatball vendor who typically operates in the area, noted that he has seen an increase in income during the public viewing events.

According to Solahudin, warm food is a popular choice for visitors spending time waiting for the matches or watching the games unfold.

“Thank God, there is extra income. Many visitors look for food here before or during the public viewing,” he said.

Beyond providing an economic boost for business owners, the public viewing events have become a hub for football fans from various regions. The public's enthusiasm is evident, with many residents willing to arrive at dawn and even spend the night on-site to follow the entire event program.

One football fan, Sirril Wafa (20), said he arrived at the Simpang Tujuh Square at the crack of dawn with his friends so as not to miss the 2026 World Cup viewing experience.

“I arrived at about 5:10 AM Western Indonesian Time. At that time, the Brazil versus Morocco match was already underway. Thank you to the committee and the Kudus Regency Government for organizing this event,” he said.

As a supporter of the Spanish national team, Sirril believes that public viewing events provide a positive space for football fans to gather and enjoy matches together.

According to him, the high level of public interest in football ensures that such events receive a significant welcome. He added that the enthusiasm shown during the screenings reflects the deep passion Indonesians have for the sport.

Sirril expressed hope that national football development, including domestic league competitions, will continue to improve to bolster the future of Indonesian football.

Furthermore, he highlighted several notable results during the 2026 World Cup. Some previously favored teams failed to advance, while others delivered performances that exceeded expectations.

“Several major teams were eliminated, illustrating the increasingly fierce competition in world football. The match earlier was particularly engaging, as Morocco took an early lead before Brazil equalized through a Vinicius Junior goal,” he said.

Sirril hopes that public screening events will not only be held during the tournament's opening phases but will return for the final match.

“It would be great if a public viewing is also organized for the final, as it is the pinnacle of the entire World Cup series. I am confident the public’s enthusiasm would be even greater,” he added.

Similar enthusiasm was shared by Agus Himawan, a resident of Kaliwungu district and a supporter of the French national team. Agus noted he had been at the Simpang Tujuh Square since Saturday night (06/13/2026) to participate in the various events organized by the committee.

He described his passion for football as the primary reason he was willing to stay up all night to watch the matches broadcast at the public screening event.

“I have been here since the night began. I started by enjoying the music entertainment prepared by the committee, then continued watching the matches until morning,” he said.

Agus mentioned he did not want to miss the Qatar versus Switzerland match held in the early hours of the morning, followed by the Brazil versus Morocco clash held later.

He believes these public screening events provide a venue for football fans to gather and strengthen communal ties among citizens who share a mutual interest in the sport.

“I am an avid football fan. Since there was a public viewing at the Square, I am very happy to be able to experience the atmosphere. After all, the World Cup only happens once every four years,” he said.

He hopes similar events will be organized for the grand final so that the community can celebrate the climax of the World Cup together.

“In my opinion, these activities 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 only Kudus residents who attended the event. Several visitors from surrounding areas also arrived to experience the public viewing atmosphere in the city center. One such visitor was Abror, a resident of Demak, who came with friends to watch the match at Simpang Tujuh Square.

According to Abror, the public screening atmosphere in Kudus offers a unique appeal, providing a vibrant communal viewing experience distinct from that of his hometown.

“My friends and I came here specifically for this. We chose this location because it is livelier and more exciting than back home, where there are no large-screen public screenings,” explained Abror.

The influx of visitors from outside the region demonstrates that World Cup public screenings effectively draw people to Kudus, encouraging participation in various activities surrounding the event venue.

The series of public screenings centered at Simpang Tujuh Square serves as both entertainment for the community and an economic driver for local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The high number of attendees has provided a boost in sales for food and beverage vendors operating near the venue.

Furthermore, these events provide a gathering space for soccer enthusiasts to enjoy matches and feel the excitement of the World Cup firsthand. The enthusiasm showed by residents from evening until the early morning hours reflects significant public interest in the global tournament, with many hoping that such screenings will continue for subsequent matches, including the final. (iwhan/hasyim/mkk)