Some call the Midwest flyover country, but that is a disservice to the vibrant culture found here. There may not be mountains or oceans, but the ones who call this place home are friendly and welcoming. If you’re reading this in preparation to travel to Kansas City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, let me be the first to give you a friendly Midwest welcome!
Smack dab in the middle of the United States, Kansas City is the least populous city to host the World Cup. The city has never hosted an Olympics or Super Bowl. This will undoubtedly be the largest event hosted in Kansas City’s history.
What the city lacks in size, however, is made up for with an unrivaled sports passion.
Kansas City is known as the “Soccer Capital of America.” The city boasts one of 10 original MLS franchises (Sporting KC) and built the first soccer stadium in the world specifically for a women’s franchise (KC Current). Along with its rich soccer history, the city has an intense loyalty to the four-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and two-time World Series champion Kansas City Royals.
Prior to the World Cup, the largest event hosted in Kansas City’s history was the 2023 NFL Draft. The draft was held on the lawn of the World War I Memorial, hosting over 312,000 fans. The event was an unmitigated success, and the city is eager to host fans on an international scale this summer for the World Cup.
Kansas City is ready for the moment, and as fans will come to find out, has a lot to offer.
The matches: Teams, dates, times, stadium and TV information
The Kansas City metro area will serve as base camps for four countries throughout the World Cup. The following teams will live, practice, and train in the Kansas City metro:
- Argentina: Sporting KC Training Center
- England: Swope Soccer Village
- Netherlands: KC Current Training Center
- Algeria: Rock Chalk Park at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas
Beyond serving as a major hub for team’s preparation and training, Kansas City will host six matches during the World Cup, including a quarterfinals matchup. All matches will be played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, dubbed “Kansas City Stadium” throughout the tournament.
The iconic stadium holds the record for loudest NFL stadium (142.2 dB) and hosted four consecutive AFC Championship games (2019-2023). The stadium underwent a multi-year renovation in order to prepare for the World Cup. This included the removal of about 3,500 lower bowl seats to widen the field to regulation size, as well as upgrading of lighting and audio systems. The capacity for the stadium during the World Cup is expected to be between 65,000-68,000.
The legendary stadium and its rabid fans are ready to step into the international spotlight with the following matchups:
- Argentina vs. Algeria (Group J): Tuesday, June 16th, 8:00 PM CST, FOX
- Ecuador vs. Curaçao (Group E): Saturday, June 20th, 7:00 PM CST, FS1
- Tunisia vs. Netherlands (Group F): Thursday, June 25th, 6:00 PM CST, FOX
- Algeria vs. Austria (Group J): Saturday, June 27th, 9:00 PM CST, FS1
- Winner of Group K vs 3rd place finisher of either Groups D, E, I, J, or L: Friday, July 3rd, 8:30 PM CST, FOX
- Winner of Match 95 vs Winner of Match 96: Saturday, July 11th, 8:00 PM CST, FOX
Nearly a month of electric and intense soccer action is highlighted by the presence of international superstar, Lionel Messi, forward and captain for Argentina. Argentina is also the defending World Cup champions, looking to defend their crown in America’s Heartland.
The Netherlands are also a top ranked team in the tournament, making it to the quarterfinals in the 2022 World Cup.
For tickets and further information, visit here.
FIFA Fan Festival, transportation, and other logistics
Beyond the matches, there is plenty of other entertainment available for soccer fans to enjoy.
FIFA Fan Festival is the hub for soccer fans to enjoy international food, entertainment, and the camaraderie of international fans. The Fan Fest is a free event to attend, but there are options available to upgrade the experience. Located on the lawn of the Liberty Memorial, the Fan Fest runs for 18 days. Headliner acts include Flo Rida, KC native Tech N9ne, and The All American Rejects, among others.
For a full lineup, dates, and further information; click here.
Unfortunately, Kansas City is not a city known for fantastic public transportation due to the nature of the city being fairly spread out, rather than compact and walkable. Large strides have been made to improve transportation options within the city within the last several years, and the city has made additional services available for the World Cup. Renting a car shouldn’t be a necessity given the transportation options which have been made available.
The simplest way to navigate the city during the World Cup is through the Connect KC26 bus service implemented for the World Cup. There are three different bus lines available: airport direct, stadium direct, and a regional service.
The airport service is free and offers direct transportation from Kansas City international Airport (KCI) to downtown, two blocks from the FIFA Fan Festival. KCI is normally a 20-25 minute drive from downtown. The stadium direct pass is available on match days for a $15 dollar fee. Finally, the regional pass is available to transport fans throughout the metro to various sights and attractions. Different pricing options are available depending on ordering a daily pass, weekly, or for the duration of the World Cup.
For more information on the Connect KC26 routes, passes, and to purchase; visit here.
The KC Streetcar is an easy and free option to utilize to explore Kansas City. The Streetcar runs from the River Market in the north to UMKC in south Kansas City, with stops along the route. It is a quick way to avoid the hassle of traffic to visit downtown, the Power and Light District, the Plaza, and more.
For more information on the KC Streetcar, check out this site.
Exploring Kansas City: Things to do and places to eat
Kansas City is full of attractions and exciting places to explore throughout the city. And you can’t go hungry while exploring the city with all the delectable food options at your disposal. Kansas City boasts one of—if not the top BBQ scenes in the country.
- The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium: The zoo is over 200 acres (be prepared to walk) and could fill an entire day of your itinerary. A state of the art aquarium opened in 2023 with a new giraffe exhibit opening in late May.
- Union Station: Kansas City’s historic Union Station boasts Science City, a planetarium, shopping, and restaurants. This summer there is an exhibition on the Berlin Wall.
- City Market: An open air market with plenty of international food and shopping to explore. The Steamboat Arabia Museum is also located here. See artifacts from a sunken 1850s steamboat.
- Kansas City Royals: From international competition to celebrating America’s pastime—the Royals have two homestands during the course of the World Cup. The Royals play at the beautiful Kauffman Stadium, right next door to Arrowhead Stadium. There is a bus service available during the World Cup for transportation to Kauffman.
- National World War I Museum and Memorial: The official and largest museum in the United States dedicated to the Great War. Several hours or an entire day could be spent here. Don’t stop at just the museum. Visit the iconic Liberty Memorial on the grounds for a fantastic view of Union Station and downtown.
- Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum: The nation’s 33rd president lived in Independence. Visit his home, presidential library, and museum to learn more about the influential politician and Missourian. Plan several hours for this stop.
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: Visit one of the icons of Kansas City. The world famous shuttlecocks grace the lawn of the massive Nelson-Atkins. Free to visit!
- Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: One of the premier destinations for any sports fan visiting Kansas City. Revisit the history of the Negro Leagues in the historic 18th and Vine District. Right next door to the American Jazz Museum!
Ask five Kansas Citians their favorite barbecue restaurant, and you may receive five different answers. Kansas City is steeped in barbecue culture, and it’s a must have for any visitor to the city. Don’t stop at just one! Each restaurant has something they are known for, and claim to be the best at. Many of the restaurants have multiple locations across the city.
Here’s some of the top BBQ joints in the city (in alphabetical order to not start a debate):
- Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque
- Char Bar
- Gate’s Bar-B-Q
- Jack Stack Barbecue
- Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
- LC’s BBQ
- Q39
- Scott’s Kitchen and Catering at Hangar 29
- Slap’s BBQ
My personal favorite? Joe’s for the Z-Man sandwich. Might be the best sandwich you’ll eat in your life.
Great Kansas City cuisine doesn’t stop at barbecue. Not in the mood for BBQ or eager to try something else? There are plenty of other options in the metro to enjoy. Unfortunately, the area surrounding Kansas City Stadium does not offer many choices for great dining. So you’ll have to venture elsewhere in the city. Try a few of these local spots:
- Buck Tui
- Garazzo’s
- The Golden Ox
- The Peanut
- Succotash
- Town Topic Hamburgers
After eating at these delectable eateries, you may be thirsty. There are plenty of unique and fun places to parch your thirst:
- Boulevard Brewing Company
- KC Bier Co
- Messenger Coffee Company
- No Other Pub
- Pitchside Coffee
- The Roasterie
In conclusion, Kansas City has so much to offer for the international guests soon to visit. There’s not an ocean or mountains here, but there’s no chance a visitor will be bored. Whether visiting for a few days, a week, or staying through the World Cup—there is so much to see, do, and explore in this vibrant metro in the Heartland of America.
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