Want to get in on the World Cup in Kansas City for free? 9 watch parties to try
Construction is nearly complete for FIFA’s Fan Fest on the grounds at the National WWI Museum & Memorial, but that’s not the only fan festival for the World Cup happening around Kansas City.
Local municipalities around the area are also hosting watch parties for residents and travelers to hang out and enjoy the action while the global soccer tournament is active. Many of the parties are centered around the six games taking place at Kansas City Stadium and games featuring the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Cities within all five counties of the Kansas City metro are welcoming all to visit, but some of them require registering in advance for tickets. Here’s a look at 10 happening in the region.
Current Landing
Current Landing, the mixed-use district located by CPKC Stadium and the Missouri River, hosts watch parties for the World Cup throughout June and July. Attendees can watch the games on a large outdoor screen and enjoy themed food and drinks in the festive atmosphere.
Tickets are free, but visitors do have to register online in advance to receive entry. You can take a look at their full schedule of events online.
Futbol Fridays
Downtown Lee’s Summit is home to Futbol Fridays, a free weekly celebration occurring while the global soccer tournament is active. From June 12 to July 10, visitors can watch that day’s games live and enjoy free entertainment, like live music and family-friendly activities.
Each week brings a different theme to Green Street. While you’re watching the U.S. take on Paraguay on June 12, you can also watch visitors show off their best mustaches in a Ted Lasso look-alike contest. Future weeks highlight the Wild West, Lee’s Summit local artists and a 100-year celebration of Route 66.
The gatherings are hosted from 6 to 10 p.m.
GOooal North KC watch parties
Set across six different areas in the Northland, visitors and residents can watch select games on seven different days. Each stop is free for all to visit and will bring a large screen to watch the games, along with family zones with inflatables, games, and craft activities, interactive soccer experiences, live local music and food trucks while showcasing the North Kansas City region.
GOooal North KC’s watch parties take place at these locations:
- June 12: Liberty High School from 5 to 11 p.m.
- June 16: Central Bank Sporting Complex from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
- June 19: Jesse James Park in Kearney from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- June 20: Happy Rock Park in Gladstone from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- June 27: Zona Rosa shopping center from 5 to 11 p.m.
- July 3: Morton Amphitheater in Riverside from 3:30 to 11 p.m.
- July 11: Swift Street and Armour Road in North Kansas City from 5 to 11:30 p.m.
Johnson County watch parties at Theatre in the Park
The Johnson County Parks & Recreation District hosts free watch parties for select World Cup games on its large LED screen inside its Theatre in the Park, 7710 Renner Road in Shawnee.
Visitors can register for free tickets online to attend on most game days from Tuesday, June 16, to the World Cup Final on Sunday, July 19. Guests can bring the following to watch the games:
- One clear plastic water bottler per guest
- Chairs
- Blankets
- Tarps
- Wagons
- Umbrellas
- Clear bags smaller than 12 by 12 by 6 inches or small clutches, wallets, or purses that are less than 5 by 7 inches.
Kick it in KCK
Memorial Hall in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, is the home base of the Kick it in KCK watch parties for the World Cup. The free public watch parties will take place inside and can host up to 3,000 people.
Matches are projected on a large above the main stage with two smaller screens on each side of the stage. The venue will also include concession stands with food, drinks and entertainment.
“One World Wyandotte” street festivals will also take place on June 11, 16, 17, 18, and 24, matching some of the days they’ll host watch parties. Additional watch parties are scheduled for June 22-23.
Pitch Lenexa
The Lenexa City Center hosts free watch parties on three days of the World Cup, called Pitch Lenexa.
Gates will open at 5 p.m. on June 12 and June 25 — days on which the U.S. plays group-stage matches. It’s also open Saturday, July 11, the date of a quarterfinal-round game in Kansas City.
Food trucks, interactive soccer activities and a live DJ will also be on-site for visitors to enjoy while the tournament is active. The city center has a capacity of 7,500.
Soccer Capital Summer at Sporting Park
Soccer Capital Summer will show live viewings for more than 20 World Cup matches across 10 days at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
The watch parties start June 17-18 and June 22 with group stage matches. The watch parties continue with knockout round matches June 28 and July 6-7 before the semifinals on July 14-15 and the medal matches on July 18-19.
General admission tickets can be reserved now for group-stage matches, the Round of 32 and the Round of 16. GA tickets for the semifinals, third-place match and final can be reserved beginning May 18.
Parking can be bought on SeatGeek for $15 for season-ticket members and $20 for the public. Parking passes bought on the day of the event will be $25.
Soccer in the City at KC Live!
The KC Live! Block inside the Power & Light District is familiar to the World Cup, having its watch parties been broadcast to the world during previous tournaments. The entertainment district’s plans for this year includes free watch parties, country supporter events and pre-match activities.
Soccer in the City began Saturday, June 6, with a watch party of the United States vs. Germany friendly match with a live recording of the Heart & Goal podcast beforehand. Watch parties are planned for the teams whose base camps are set in the region (Algeria, Australia, England, Netherlands) and for the U.S. and Mexican national teams in June, and more are planned in July for the knockout rounds and championship matches.
Check out the full schedule online.
Vine Street FC
Vine Street Brewing Co. and the 18th & Vine Jazz District will host six district-wide events tied to the games played in Kansas City, anchored by a central viewing area where visitors can gather to watch the matches running from June 11 to July 19.
Vine Street FC is free for everyone to wander through the historic jazz district as they blend match viewings, live music, food programming and community events under the banner “18th and Vine Alive.”
This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
