Kansas City’s projects boost World Cup 2026 preparedness

The curated articles all discuss major projects and policy changes in Kansas City that aim to prepare the city for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. These efforts focus on transportation, city regulations, development, and welcoming international visitors.

The city renamed the main terminal at Kansas City International Airport after President Harry Truman and plans to install a statue to honor him. City governments in Jackson County have passed new rules for businesses and vendors to manage World Cup crowds, including restrictions on food trucks and fireworks. The KC Streetcar extension has opened, connecting Union Station to the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and now offers free rides along the expanded route. The city held public celebrations and events for the opening, including live music and a drone show. Redevelopment of the riverfront advances with construction of new apartments and commercial spaces near the KC Current stadium. Local businesses expect the streetcar extension to increase visitor traffic and make travel between neighborhoods easier during the World Cup.

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Chris and Angie Long, the co-owners of the KC Current, and owners of CPKC Stadium, are banking $1 billion on an ambitious, 10-year mixed-use development now under construction at the Berkley Riverfront. Phase 1 is under construction. By Dominick Williams

NO. 1: CHRIS AND ANGIE LONG: HOW KC CURRENT OWNERS ARE FOREVER REMAKING THE RIVERFRONT

It was a mild autumn day along the Missouri River. | Published October 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Adler

After going through security, travelers heading to the gates in the new $1.5 billion single terminal at Kansas City International Airport on opening day Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 2: WHY DID KANSAS CITY OFFICIALS PUT A NEW NAME ON KCI’S TERMINAL? HERE’S THE TITLE

Kansas City is honoring President Harry Truman by adding his name to the terminal at Kansas City International Airport, city officials have announced. | Published October 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nathan Pilling

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The KC streetcar does a test run on Main Street for the nearly finished Main Street extension headed towards UMKC, on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Kansas City. By Dominick Williams

NO. 3: THE KC STREETCAR EXPANSION OPENS FRIDAY. HERE’S HOW THE CITY IS CELEBRATING

Kansas City’s is throwing a party to celebrate the KC streetcar expansion opening Friday, Oct. | Published October 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

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Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas takes a ride along the new KC Streetcar extension route with his son Bennett on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, during the grand opening celebration for the KC Streetcar extension in Kansas City. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 4: KANSAS CITY’S STREETCAR EXTENSION IS OPENING TO RIDERS. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES

After nearly a decade of planning, four years of construction and more than $350 million, the Main Street extension of the Kansas City Streetcar is opening to riders. | Published October 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by PJ Green, Robert A. Cronkleton, Eleanor Nash

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Kansas City is one of the U.S. cities that will be playing host to FIFA World Cup 2026 games. And volunteers are needed to help pull off the massive global event.

NO. 5: HOW THESE JACKSON COUNTY CITIES ARE SETTING LIMITS ON BUSINESSES PRE-WORLD CUP

With about eight months to go until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, some cities in eastern Jackson County are taking steps to either limit or clarify how local businesses can interact with an expected influx of tourists. | Published October 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ilana Arougheti

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After nearly a decade of planning, four years of construction, and an investment of over $350 million, the Main Street extension of the Kansas City Streetcar opened for riders who exited the streetcar at the new stop at the University of Missouri-Kansas City on Friday, October 24, 2025. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 6: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RIDE THE NEW KC STREETCAR EXTENSION? HERE’S THE TIMING

Kansas Citians can now ride the streetcar all the way to UMKC. | Published October 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

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NO. 7: WILL KC STREETCAR EXTENSION HELP BUSINESSES BOOM? HERE’S WHAT SOME SAID

Despite the gloomy weather on Friday, which was opening day for the KC Streetcar extension, businesses at the new 51st and Brookside stop kept decently busy. | Published October 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.