International Tournament Boosts Local Economic Activity, Driving Sales for Sports Retailers

KUDUS – International sports tournaments extend far beyond the pitch. When participants arrive from various nations to stay in a city for several days, their needs inevitably ripple through the local economy—from hotels and dining spots to gift shops and sports retailers.

This trend was evident at Rank Sport Kudus during the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026. The U-16 girls' soccer tournament, held from August 14–23, 2026, brought together teams from seven nations in Kudus, including Indonesia.

For Rank Sport Kudus, the influx of international visitors was clearly visible in store traffic, as athletes, officials, and support staff sought out gear and supplies related to both the tournament and their general travel needs.

Rank Sport Kudus Outlet Manager Jery Kurniawan noted that many contingents visited the store specifically to procure sports equipment, with a high demand for soccer boots and other performance essentials.

“Ahead of the Srikandi Merdeka Cup, they visited us looking for sports gear, particularly items specific to soccer. They were mainly seeking boots, equipment, and other sport-related support necessities,” Jery said at his store on Tuesday (8/25/2026).

Customer visits varied in intent, with some teams arriving with specific products in mind, while others explored the inventory and tested gear on-site before making a purchase.

Malaysian Team Arrives with Familiar Brands in Mind

The Malaysian U-16 Women's National Team was among the contingents to visit Rank Sport Kudus, accompanied by a tour guide and translator.

According to Jery, Ortuseight was the first brand requested by the Malaysian delegation. The brand is already well-known to them due to its existing distribution in Malaysia and Thailand.

“Because Ortuseight has expanded internationally, particularly in Malaysia and Thailand, this Indonesian local brand has gained significant recognition,” Jery said.

The Malaysian squad ultimately selected the Ortuseight Catalyst Liberte soccer boots, which feature a specialized knit upper.

Their selections extended beyond just football boots. The team also purchased travel accessories, including Ortuseight card holders and large-capacity travel bags.

The visit highlights that the contingent's needs go beyond match-related gear. Equipment used for carrying personal belongings and travel essentials also figured into their shopping in Kudus.

Thailand Seeks Rare Models

Proper athletic equipment can enhance player comfort and performance. This remains a key part of team preparation, as demonstrated by the Thailand U-16 women's team, which won the 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup.

The team specifically sought out the Black Gold edition of the Ortuseight Jogosala Volta V3 futsal shoes. Jery noted that the group had been in Indonesia for three days and had unsuccessfully checked several other locations for the same model.

The items were fortuitously in stock at Rank Sport Kudus. After securing the shoes, the Thai contingent took the opportunity to browse other products.

They also tested the Ortuseight Catalyst Vision V6 K-Lea football boots, which feature a kangaroo leather upper.

According to Jery, the material was a key draw for the players after they tested the footwear personally.

"They found the Ortuseight shoe with a kangaroo leather upper—the Ortuseight Catalyst Vision V6 K-Lea model—to be very comfortable," he said.

In addition to soccer and futsal gear, the Thai delegation also purchased Ortuseight Hyperblast 2.0 running shoes.

These choices demonstrate that the delegation's store visit was not just about meeting match requirements; items for training and other activities were also included in their shopping during their stay in Kudus.

Jordan Adjusts Selection After Testing Products

The Jordan U-16 women's national team arrived with different priorities. Initially, they were primarily interested in global brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma.

Specific models sought included the Nike Tiempo Maestro Academy and Adidas Adizero Evo SL, but after trying them on, the players found them unsuitable.

Store staff assisted by recommending alternatives based on their specific needs and comfort levels, leading the Jordanian players to test local Ortuseight products.

They eventually selected the Ortuseight Hyperblast 2.1, which was featured in a "Buy 1 Get 1" promotion at the store at the time.

"After trying them on and finding the right fit, they ultimately purchased eight pairs of Ortuseight Hyperblast 2.1 running shoes," said Jery.

The Jordanian contingent also bought several pairs of walking shoes from Nike and Adidas.

The visits highlighted different shopping patterns among the contingents. Malaysia arrived with specific brand knowledge, Thailand sought particular models, while the Jordanian delegation made selections after testing products available in the store.

Buyers Extend Beyond International Contingents

The 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup attracted more than just international athletes and officials. Indonesian U-16 Women's National Team forward Keysa Arabela Manisya Nian, who scored three goals during the tournament, also took time between matches to buy shoes at Rank Sport Kudus.

The presence of spectators from outside Kudus also boosted retail activity. Fans from Rembang, Blora, and Pati traveled to the city not only to watch the matches but also to shop while in town.

Many shoppers sought out sporting equipment. Rank Sport offers an inventory ranging from futsal and firm-ground soccer cleats to various running shoes, including models for daily training, speed, walking, and trail running.

Consequently, the buyers arriving during the tournament period come from diverse backgrounds, including team contingents, match officials, and spectators.

Tournament Activity Boosts Weekday Sales

For Rank Sport Kudus, the influx of tournament participants has significantly influenced sales patterns.

Jery noted that visits from international contingents have helped bridge the sales gap between weekdays and weekends. Unlike typical consumers who tend to shop during their time off, these participants follow a schedule dictated by their matches and team agendas.

As a result, store traffic remains high on weekdays, coinciding with active match days and tournament programming.

“The presence of international buyers, unconstrained by weekend holidays, has caused our weekday sales to surge, matching the performance typically seen during weekends,” Jery said.

This highlights how sports events can stimulate commercial activity well beyond the match venue itself.

However, the impact extends beyond raw transaction numbers. The influx of visitors from diverse regions and countries presents the store with a wider range of consumer needs in a compressed timeframe.

A Hub for International Interaction

For the staff at Rank Sport Kudus, the arrival of international contingents has provided a refreshing break from their daily retail routine.

Jery explained that they have had the opportunity to interact directly with players and support staff from other countries, engaging in conversations as customers browse, try on shoes, or seek out specific sports gear.

“For us at Rank Sport, the highlight is truly the ability to interact with them, chat, share stories across cultures, and exchange experiences,” he said.

These interactions occur casually within the store. While there is no specific agenda beyond fulfilling equipment needs, for the shop, the arrival of overseas groups marks a unique experience tied to the broader context of an international tournament hosted in Kudus.

Purchased products become part of that narrative. Some visitors chose shoes they were already familiar with, while others sought specific models they had been tracking for days or selected new footwear only after trying them on.

From Competition to Local Economic Activity

The 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup has served as a gateway for international participants arriving in Kudus. During their stay, their needs extended well beyond the sports arena.

Rank Sport emerged as a key destination. The Malaysian delegation purchased Catalyst Liberte shoes and various supporting gear, while the Thai team sought Jogosala Volta V3 models and tested the kangaroo-leather Catalyst Vision V6 K-Lea. Meanwhile, the Jordanian delegation, initially looking for global brands, ultimately purchased eight pairs of Hyperblast 2.1 shoes alongside several pairs of walking shoes.

Beyond these three international delegations, Indonesian players, coaching staff, match officials, and local spectators also contributed to the surge in retail activity throughout the tournament.

The experiences at Rank Sport highlight an often-overlooked dimension of international sporting events: while the competition unfolds on the field, the presence of participants and spectators generates economic activity well beyond the pitch.

For local businesses, this translates into increased foot traffic and transactions. For the city of Kudus, such movement is a natural byproduct of hosting guests from various regions and countries.

When the tournament concludes, the footwear and gear will travel back with their owners. For Rank Sport, the event leaves a lasting impression: an international tournament can effectively bridge the gap between a local retailer and a global consumer base, stimulating broader economic activity while visitors are in Kudus. (JMY/mainkekudus)