Kansas Citians can get into World Cup frame of mind with these exhibits & events
The world’s most-watched sporting event — the World Cup soccer tournament — will come to Kansas City this summer, and local businesses, public institutions and tourist attractions already are gearing up for it.
The first World Cup game in Kansas City won’t take place until June 16. But with hundreds of thousands of visitors expected here, it’s never too early to capitalize on that kind of popularity.
Several non-sports venues have upcoming tie-ins to soccer and sports in general. Here are six ways fans can join the local World Cup frenzy in the coming weeks, including one exhibit that’s already open.
‘United We Play: Kicking It with the Trumans’
Artifacts, photos, videos and stories will feature Harry and Bess Truman and Kansas City’s sports teams.
- April 1-Dec. 31; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays (noon-5 p.m. Sundays starting April 12)
- Harry S. Truman Library & Museum, 500 W. U.S. 24, Independence
- Free with admission ($5-$12)
- trumanlibrary.gov
‘The Beautiful Game’
This exhibition will focus on the connection between soccer and World War I.
- Opens April 2; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (closed Tuesdays until Memorial Day)
- National WWI Museum, 2 Memorial Drive
- Free with admission ($11.50-$19.50)
- theworldwar.org
‘One World, Two Footballs’
Andrés Martinez, author of “The Great Game: A Tale of Two Footballs and America’s Quest to Conquer Global Sport,” will talk about the convergence of soccer and American football. 6 p.m. April 7, Kansas City Public Library-Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St. Free. kclibrary.org
‘The Music of Soccer’
Eduardo Herrera, professor of folklore and ethnomusicology at Indiana University, will discuss forms of fan support, particularly through singing, at this free event.
- 6 p.m. April 14
- Kansas City Public Library-Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
- kclibrary.org
‘Behind the Goal: Soccer in the Age of Analytics’
Soccer journalist Andrew Wiebe will moderate a panel discussion exploring how data is transforming the sport at this free event. It’s also available via Zoom.
- 6:30 p.m. May 7
- Linda Hall Library, 5109 Cherry St.
- lindahall.org
‘The World in Kansas City’
The Kemper Museum celebrates the cultural communities that have built Kansas City in a free exhibit.
- Through Aug. 9
- Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd.
- kemperart.org
