Kansas City has hosted major events, but nothing quite like World Cup matches
It’s going to be colorful around Kansas City.
We’re going to see much Netherlands orange, Argentina sky blue, Algeria green and Ecuador yellow, thanks to the 2026 World Cup. Fans of those countries will proudly wear their team’s jerseys over the next month all around the Kansas City area as the tournament unfolds.
Kansas City is no stranger to big events. We’ve been host to three presidential conventions, four World Series, six AFC Championship Games and countless huge concerts from the Rolling Stones to Taylor Swift to Garth Brooks.
However, the World Cup is something new and, frankly, exhilarating for Kansas City because we will welcome fans from at least four other continents to our home. Some have scoffed that VisitKC’s estimated 650,000 visitors is too optimistic. But VisitKC has reported an unprecedented level of international bookings into Kansas City International Airport, particularly from World Cup participating nations.
“It has no real historical analog in Kansas City’s tourism data,” VisitKC said.
We’ve already seen the excitement as green-clad Algerian fans flooded Lawrence after the team arrived Sunday. Argentina supporters, wearing the team’s colors, have been spotted outside the squad’s hotel and training site since the World Cup champions arrived in Kansas City last month.
Kansas City police said international fans have “a religious level of investment” in soccer. That’s a good description. The joy soccer fans display for what they call the “beautiful game” will be visible to anyone in Kansas City, whether it’s at a game, the Fan Festival or a restaurant.
The fun is about to begin. Let’s embrace it.
