Score. Kansas City is officially one of the 11 US host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A total of 16 stadiums were selected from the US, Canada, and Mexico. Cheers erupted during yesterday’s watch party at KC Live! in the Power & Light District as seven years of planning + campaigning have finally paid off.
“Kansas City, you are a World Cup City,” tweeted Mayor Quinton Lucas.
This is the first time the tournament will include 48 teams + be staged across three nations. A total of 60 matches will take place in the US.
“The city is going to show out in 2026. We can’t wait to welcome fans from across the world and to the loudest stadium” — said Patrick Mahomes during the live broadcast.
Matches will be played at Arrowhead Stadium. Changes will need to be made to the current stadium, including removing football yard lines + the Chiefs’ logo. Space will also need to be created on the field to accommodate soccer field dimensions. Another addition would be a special ventilation system to ensure the grass is the same as the other World Cup venues’ fields. Renderings of the Arrowhead Stadium hosting the 2026 World Cup were released by the Kansas City Sports Commissions.
“From the number of fans who come out to watch our national teams compete, to the fact that our City will have America’s first women’s soccer stadium, Kansas City has always impressed those from around the world in our passion and support for soccer.” — Angie and Chris Long, Kansas City Current Co-Founders.
With thousands of fans flocking to the city for matches + fests, an estimated economic impact of $160 million to $620 million will flow into Kansas City. Fan fests will either take place at the Union Station or on the south lawn of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Other US cities that made the cut? Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami + New York/New Jersey. Mexico will host matches in Guadalajara, Mexico City + Monterrey, while Toronto and Vancouver will host matches up in Canada.
With KC also hosting the 2023 NFL Draft, it’s safe to say that we’re not just the Heart of America… we’re also the Heart of Sports.