Iconic Dutch orange march is coming to Kansas City. Here’s what to expect
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Thousands will march downtown Kansas City ahead of the Netherlands vs Tunisia match.
- After 11 a.m. entertainment, the Oranje Fanwalk will begin at 12:15 p.m.
- The iconic double‑decker Orange Bus will lead the march toward the FIFA Fan Festival.
A sea of orange has been taking over U.S. cities. First Dallas, then Houston — and now, Kansas City will take part in the Dutch tradition.
Dutch soccer fans, known as the Orange Legion, show their support for the Netherlands team before major international games with a large march in the match’s home city. The “Oranje Fanwalk” is filled with singing, music, dancing and, of course, bright orange.
Thousands of fans are expected to take the celebration downtown Kansas City on Thursday, ahead of the Netherlands’ match against Tunisia later that night.
Daniel Oordt, known as the “Oranje Suit Man,” is an icon for Dutch soccer fans and has attended every Dutch national team game for eleven years.
The fanwalk is “about being part of something bigger than yourself,” he said, and a chance to get Americans involved with supporting the Netherlands — a team that may not attract bandwagon fans but has “a lot of story and history behind it.” The Netherlands have made it to three World Cup finals but never won.
Now, he’s inviting Kansas City to show up.
Oranje Fanwalk in Kansas City
“I always say, to win a World Cup, your players have to perform on the field,” Oordt said. “Your fans need to show up, but also the whole city, the home base city, has to come and show up as well.”
The iconic double-decker Dutch Orange Bus will lead the crowd as it marches from the Power & Light District to the FIFA Fan Festival near Union Station, before fans head to Kansas City Stadium or find another place to watch the game.
A second bus will drive behind the first 15,000 people, or about halfway through the crowd, Oordt said.
Kansas City can also expect fans to sing and dance to the Snollebollekes’ “Links Rechts,” an unofficial Dutch soccer anthem, two or three times throughout the march as they jump “left right” across the street.
Fans will gather at 11 a.m. in the Power & Light District for entertainment with Dutch DJs and musicians before the march kicks off at 12:15 p.m.
“The bigger, the better, let’s make this the world’s biggest march of all time,” Oordt said. “Get every single person in orange out of the Power & Light at 11 a.m. on Thursday. And let’s put Kansas City on the map for the history books.”
The Netherlands will play Tunisia at Kansas City Stadium at 6 p.m.