Amid controversy over New Jersey World Cup Fan Fest, there’s good news for KC fans
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- New Jersey will charge $12.50 for Fan Fest entry; fans were aghast.
- Kansas City will offer free Fan Fest access with required registration and premiums.
- KC organizers plan 18 days of Fan Fest and coordinate volunteers, transport, security.
U.S. soccer fans were aghast at the latest news about the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The Times, a British newspaper, reported the New York/New Jersey host city will be charging for entry into its Fan Festival. That traditionally has been a free event at the World Cup.
Fan Fests are a place at each host city that are set aside away from stadiums for people to watch other World Cup matches on big screens. But the New Jersey site will charge $12.50 for entry to its Fan Fest, the Times reported. Perhaps not coincidentally, the World Cup final will be played at Met Life Stadium.
The decision to charge fans for Fan Fest in New Jersey appears to have been made by that host city.
Kansas City’s organizing committee told The Star the Fan Fest here, which will be at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, will be free, although registration is required. There also will be an option to purchase premium tickets for the Fan Fest.
That will include an “exclusive shaded viewing zone,” a private bar and guaranteed entry to the Fan Fest.
Pam Kramer, president of KC2026, said Fan Fest will be open at least 18 days of the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19. But organizers are still working out some details.
“We’re hoping once we know the base-camp teams (in Kansas City) by the end of this month, the beginning of next month, to have some clarity around Fan Fest, which ties into the transportation network, hours of operating, what we think that will look like,” Kramer said Tuesday in a conference call. “Making sure that we’re communicating the volunteer numbers that we’re going to need, which days do we need volunteers, where do we need them. And then the safety and security, making sure that we’re continuing to plan for all of that.”
