KC is giving Stadium Drive a makeover before World Cup next year. What to expect

Stadium Drive, the road leading to the Truman Sports Complex, is getting an upgrade ahead of the FIFA World Cup next year.

City officials presented plans at the City Council’s transportation committee this week to give Stadium Drive a makeover between 31st Street and Raytown Road, where it passes by parks and a business strip, that will improve access for pedestrians and cyclists and make the corridor more attractive.

Officials say the improvements are meant to benefit the area beyond the World Cup and include a planned space for vendors such as food trucks in the future.

Other changes include reducing the driving lanes from four to three, adding a shared-use path that cyclists can ride and fixing up sidewalks for pedestrians and making crosswalks safer, plans show.

The project will add fencing, enhance lighting for pedestrians and make other upgrades to infrastructure in the area.

Work is already ongoing and construction is expected to be finished in May 2026, before the first World Cup match at Arrowhead Stadium in June 2026, according to the committee presentation.