World Cup 2026 organizers provide update on work being done at Arrowhead Stadium
When the first pass is made at the 2026 World Cup in Kansas City, it will be at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
But because of FIFA, the world’s governing body for soccer, that won’t be the name of the stadium, and it will look different than what Chiefs fans have been used to seeing.
FIFA is requiring alterations to the stadium, and that work has begun more than a year before the first match is played on June 16, 2026.
During a news conference Monday, KC2026 Chief Executive Officer Pam Kramer answered a question about the work at Arrowhead Stadium and provided an update.
“Construction has started. The demolition has started. The seats are out,” Kramer said, per Fox 4.
“Everything is on track there. Arrowhead’s a great partner. The Chiefs are a great partner along with our other venue partners, the Current, Sporting, and Rock Chalk Park at KU, so everything is on track, everything is on track there.”
While the four group-stage matches, the round-of-32 game and a quarterfinal will be played at Arrowhead Stadium, training sites are likely to be utilized in the area.
They’d be at the homes of Sporting Kansas City, the KC Current and at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence.
As for the work at Arrowhead Stadium, Chiefs president Mark Donovan previously has said fewer than 10,000 seats will be temporarily removed from lower rows and the corners.
“It doesn’t seem like a big project, but I would tell you that when you get into the architecture of the building and the age of the building, it’s an enormous project,” Donovan said in 2022.
He added: “Our goal is make sure every single seat is replaced for every single season, so we don’t lose any (football) seats. It will be an enormous challenge for our operations and construction crews.” Donovan said fewer than 10,000 seats will be temporarily removed from lower rows and the corners.”
Fox 4 sports anchor Harold Kuntz previously shared a photo of the work being done at Arrowhead Stadium on X/Twitter.
Parking at Arrowhead
KC2026 Chief Operations Officer Lindsey Douglas answered a question about the potential of fans driving to Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City is leasing 200 buses to get fans around during the World Cup.
“If there is any, which I think is still to be determined, it will be greatly reduced from what it is today,” Douglas said. “So, we are anticipating most everyone will be taking that bus service from a Park and Ride location or from downtown and Fan Fest to the stadium to attend a match.”
This story includes reporting by The Star’s Blair Kerkhoff
This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 11:01 AM.
