Sports Tournaments Enhance Tourism Appeal in Kudus
KUDUS – The HYDROPLUS Soccer League (HPSL) All Stars 2025/2026 has brought more than just competition to the pitch. The tournament has drawn thousands of athletes, officials, families, and supporters from various regions to Kudus. Their arrival has enlivened the atmosphere around the Supersoccer Arena Kudus and stimulated economic activity across the city.
During the tournament, guests have balanced match-watching with exploring the city, sampling local cuisine, shopping for souvenirs, and soaking in the atmosphere. These travels have provided visitors with new experiences while offering a positive economic impact for the local community.
Among those visiting is Dian Ayu Novitasari, a supporter of the Putri Batang team who traveled from Bali to accompany her daughter in the U-18 division. Though she has only been in Kudus for two days, she said she is already gaining an appreciation for the city through simple interactions.
"We are here because of the HYDROPLUS Soccer League. We haven't had much time to travel far, but we've visited Pasar Kliwon and tried the iced dawet. We also hope to try the local Soto Kudus. What I like most is how clean, orderly, and traffic-free the city is. The merchants are also very friendly," she said.
Such impressions have left Dian eager to return with her family in the future.
"I definitely want to come back. This city is comfortable and perfect for both tourism and sports," she added.
A similar sentiment was shared by Ertitawati, a supporter from Bandung accompanying the West Java teams Mojang Priangan and Akademi Persib. Between matches, she has been busy exploring local culinary delights and purchasing souvenirs.
"We visited Mubarok to buy jenang and explored the food stalls around the square. I tried the nasi tahu telur, which was delicious and distinct from what we have in Bandung," she noted.
She believes Kudus is becoming increasingly modern while maintaining a welcoming and comfortable environment for visitors.
The influx of visitors has been a boon for local small and medium-sized enterprises (UMKM) operating stalls at the Supersoccer Arena Kudus. Various food and beverage outlets have become key destinations for athletes, families, and supporters looking to rest between matches.
Among them is Debby, a small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) owner who has been operating since the first day of the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars. She offers a range of drinks and snacks, including taro, caramel, matcha, and bubble gum ice drinks, as well as coin cheese, a popular favorite among children.
"Mornings are usually quiet because the athletes have not arrived yet. It typically picks up from midday until afternoon after the matches start. The items most sought after by children are the cold drinks and coin cheese," she said on Monday (7/6/2026).
Debby noted that her business primarily operates when the Supersoccer Arena Kudus hosts major events. Consequently, each sports tournament scheduled brings new optimism for MSME operators. "Events like the HYDROPLUS Soccer League are very helpful. They provide us with an opportunity to boost our income," she said.
She expressed hope that similar events would be held more frequently with broader promotion, attracting more visitors beyond just the athletes and their supporters.
The experiences of visitors and MSME operators demonstrate that the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars offer benefits that extend well beyond the football pitch. The presence of athletes, officials, players' families, and supporters has stimulated local economic activity through culinary offerings, souvenirs, and various small businesses surrounding the stadium.
Meanwhile, guests have left with positive impressions of Kudus as a clean, comfortable, welcoming, and culinary-rich city. The sustained activity during the tournament illustrates that sports events not only foster competition but also open avenues for regional economic growth, while strengthening the appeal of Kudus as a sports tourism destination. (ITN/DN/mainkekudus)