Is it worth going to FIFA Fan Fest in KC? Here’s what we think after Day 1
The first day of FIFA Fan Fest in Kansas City is a reminder that if you give something some time, it can be a lot better than you expect.
What started off as a miserable day to be outside due to temperatures well over 80, as well as a brief rainfall, all those issues were forgotten after once the skies cleared up. Doors were supposed to open at 1 p.m. Thursday, but fans weren’t able to get in until 1:33 p.m. due to signs of lightning in the area.
But when Julián Quiñones of Team Mexico scored the first goal of the tournament, the Fan Fest grounds erupted with cheers from the thousands of fans wearing green, red and white. It made me think of two things: One, did all these folks take time off work just to come here? Two, any fears of Kansas City being unable to handle a World Cup are completely wrong.
Despite delays, getting to and through Fan Fest isn’t that bad
KC2026 previously said that they wanted to make security seamless to make sure fans get in without issues. Obviously, that was affected by Thursday’s weather. Some fans were in line as early as noon and didn’t get in until around 2.
Upon speaking with several fans, I found the average wait time to get into the Fan Fest grounds could be roughly 30 minutes. For a line that I heard reached as far as near Union Station, that’s not a bad wait time at all.
Patrick Verity and Johana Pizano got in line at 1:35 p.m. and it took them 15-20 minutes to get in. Yes, it was a Thursday afternoon so not everybody could make it, but considering that was pushing game time, it shows the swiftness when it comes to screening.
Once you enter through the main gates, it feels like you’re at a Kansas City festival. You’ll find the 65-foot Kansas City heart, which was a nice touch to welcome visitors. There was even a mariachi band performing underneath it, setting the tone for Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa.
There are essentially three directions you can go when you enter Fan Fest. North to the main stage where the big screen is. To the right when you walk in, you can find the food hall, as well as the merch shop. And past the shop, you’ll find another viewing area, alongside the VIP areas and green space to play soccer.
It’s pretty simple to get around. Now if 25,000 people are all there, then it might get tricky. Until it reaches that, you’re able to get around without feeling lost.
“I really like the open space, and that there’s multiple big screens,” Verity said.
At halftime of the game, Pizano said that vibes were 10/10.
Food, games, soccer: Fan Fest has something for everyone
Whether you are with your friends or family, this is an event where everyone can find something to enjoy.
There were plenty of activations to check out, and some of them weren’t even related to soccer. The Kansas City Royals had their own space, which included giant bobbleheads of Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino.
Next to the Royals activation is a spot many will look forward to: the food vendors. Surprisingly, it seemed very easy to grab food no matter what time you went. Some lines were longer than others, like the birria tacos stand. Some places had their food on display for you to look at before you choose what you wanted, which was great for the picky eaters like myself.
I grabbed food from a Korean BBQ vendor that’s based out of California, but flies out to events like Fan Fest. I recommend that Korean BBQ fries they had, which had cheese and soy sauce over fries and beef. If that’s not your taste, 20 more local food vendors were there too.
And if you’re a dog lover, boy, does Fan Fest have a spot for you. In partnership with Purina and KC2026, there were dogs that people could pet and play with. The seven-week-old puppies were passed out asleep after a long, hard day of being dogs, but that didn’t stop people from getting their hands on them.
You can even get a chance to adopt them. You can’t get them that day, but QR codes at the activation stand will guide you through that process.
What’s a festival without music? Local groups Sin Tope and Making Movies performed on the festival’s main stage, giving fans a chance to decompress and have some fun, rather than stressing about their favorite team.
Some things to note when you pull up
If you haven’t listened to anything I’ve said up to this point, listen to this: Please bring good walking shoes. Just because I said it was easy to get around, doesn’t mean you won’t be getting steps in. The Fan Fest grounds are essentially the size of a football field, and you’ll find yourself going back and forth a lot to see new things.
While this may be a nitpick from me, I found it odd that the screens on the towers were near the bottom and not closer to the top. At past festivals I’ve been to, the screen is usually higher to make sure everyone can see from multiple angles (especially us shorter folks.)
Yes, I could just move closer to the screen, or find one that’s more convenient to watch, but it did seem like an odd choice considering that the place is supposed to hold 25,000 people.
I assume the design was so the towers could show off the red and blue flags that represent KC’s fountains. Nice touch by the way, KC2026, but I think higher screens would be better for the watch party experience.
If you’re going to the merch store, I suggest going during a game rather than after. I know, you don’t want to miss any big moments, but that line looked ridiculous after South Africa and Mexico’s match. The store is 8,000 square feet with plenty of options to choose from as far as merch goes, including jerseys, Funko Pops, soccer balls and more. You want to give yourself some time to actually look around.
Lastly, and this goes without saying, but bring a plastic water bottle. Or at least plan to buy one. This has nothing to do with the actual Fan Fest, but it is hot out there, and the sun doesn’t make it any better. There are several hydration stations throughout the Fan Fest grounds (some with some technical issues, but, hey, it’s the first day), so there’s zero excuse to be thirsty out there.
There’s 18 Fan Fest days. Go to at least one of them
I am not the biggest soccer fan, by any means. In fact, I’m not too big on who wins the tournament as long as everyone has fun. That being said, if you’re in KC, and you’re not at least going to Fan Fest, what’s up with you?
What makes Fan Fest fun is you don’t even have to be a soccer fan to really enjoy it. This isn’t a music festival where a bunch of sweaty teenagers are elbowing you during a mosh pit, but it’s also not a watch party where you’re stuck in one spot for hours staring at a screen.
Whether you like to eat, play games, shop or just chill in the grass, there’s something for you to enjoy at Fan Fest. Also, look at all the cultures surrounding you at once. I saw folks in Columbia jerseys, and they don’t even play until June 17.
One of the first people to get into the Fan Fest grounds was Jair Mijares. He said he waited an hour and a half, but you couldn’t tell considering how ecstatic he was to get in. Originally from Mexico and spending most of his life in Kansas City, being able to experience a World Cup is already a special feeling for him.
“I’m glad they chose KC. It’s an honor, it’s a pleasure to have FIFA here,” he said “Expect the best fans ever. Expect the best rush ever, and expect the best excitement ever. You’re gonna enjoy every single moment.”
