Hear from one of KC’s leaders in sports. | Photo via KC Sports Commission + Visit KC
“Sports” and “Kansas City” have become more or less synonymous over the last decade and a half. Between multiple All-Star games, a World Series win, Big 12 tournaments, the world’s first women’s sports stadium, three Super Bowl wins (including back-to-back titles and possibly a three-peat), and helping host the 2026 World Cup — deep breath — that may be the understatement of the century.
Since 2011, Kathy Nelson — CEO + President of both the Kansas City Sports Commission and Visit KC — has been working to bring exciting events like these to KC. We took the time to talk to the team leader behind it all + ask her what’s next for our city.
Q: What do you consider to be the KC Sports Commission’s role in the so-called “Kansas City Renaissance?”
We are, if not the oldest, the second oldest Sports Commission in the country — pushing 60 years in 2026. We’ve always kind of been that silent event producer, manager, creator in the background. [...]
Just last week, we were at a convention called IMEX, out in Las Vegas, and [...] we were the buzz of the entire convention. [...] The doors are opening for us because people are aware of the Patrick Mahomes effect, the NFL Draft, hosting the World Cup — our city is becoming more known. So, when we’re working to bring business here that’s not sports[-related], sports has certainly helped us introduce ourselves more than ever.
Q: What else are the KC Sports Commission + Visit KC working on? Is there an Olympic bid in our future?
We just learned how many future NCAA championships we’ve been awarded (Eight). [...] But you know, we’re always working on something, and we’re looking for years out. Right now, we’re a host city finalist for the 2031 Men’s and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup, which is one of the top five largest events in the world.
Mobile Music Box Concert | Monday, Oct. 21 | 6 p.m. | Loose Park Garden Center | Free | Bring a lawn chair and picnic and soak up the delightful sounds of your Kansas City Symphony at this free concert.
Halloween Paint and Sip | Monday, Oct. 21 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Cinder Block Brewery, NKC | $35 | Paint a sky full of bats while sipping a bev of your choice.
Snotty Nose Rez Kids | Monday, Oct. 21 | 10 p.m. | Uptown Theater | $25 | The First Nations hip-hop duo is ready to get the Heartland bu-bumping.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Drink to Donate: Pets for Life | Tuesday, Oct. 22 | 3-9 p.m. | Kansas City Bier Company | Menu price | $1 from every full-sized pour of bier will be donated to the organization — plus, therapy dogs will be there for your petting pleasure.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Spoken Word Poetry Live! | Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 5-8 p.m. | Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center | Free | Listen in or join in as you admire the artwork courtesy of KC’s African American Artists Collective.
The impressive 420,000-sqft indoor sports park is expected to draw in a projected 3.8 million visitors to experience sports + recreation excellence annually. | Rendering provided by The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC)
The state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility is set to open its doors on Saturday, Oct. 26 with a massive grand opening celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get ready for an unforgettable day filled with excitement and entertainment.
Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a foodie, or just looking for a fun day out with the family, this event has something for everyone. Here’s what you can expect:
Live sports demonstrations
Meet and Greets from local athletes, celebrities + influencers
Ice, court, and turf activities
Arcade, laser tag, and roll glider
Sports simulators
Yummy bites + sips
And so much more
They’re also giving away $1,500 in exciting prizes at the celebration. Feeling lucky?Enter for a chance to win.
Bally Sports Kansas City is hanging up its jersey. FanDuel’s new partnership with parent company Diamond Sports Group means a rebrand for the embroiled broadcaster of the Royals. Viewers will be able to catch local games on the new FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City at fanduelsportsnetwork.com. (FOX4)
Eat
Upscale eatery Sierra Grill is crafting a new sister concept: casual, quick-service Sierra BBQ, opening tomorrow at 11 a.m (11099 Lackman Rd.). Stop by on your lunch break for wood-fired pork ribs, brisket, burnt ends and more, alongside a selection of classic sides. (Kansas City Magazine)
Watch
If one Travis + Taylor-inspired rom-com wasn’t enough for you, your present came early this year. Along with Hallmark’s “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” the Lifetime network is debuting its own pop-star-meets-NFL-player flick, “Christmas in the Spotlight.” Both will premiere this November. (Kansas City Star)
Open
Anime and gaming bar Otaku Lounge has opened in the Crossroads. Found at 640 E. 18th St., the new space boasts numerous video game consoles, trading card game nights, and special discounts for cosplaying customers. Its bar offers kombucha-mixed drinks, traditional cocktails, plus food like pizza + ramen. (Kansas City Star)
Trending
Red must be our color. The votes are in, and KC’s favorite Halloween costume this year is Marvel’s morally dubious mercenary Deadpool, with Pokemon’s Pikachu as No. 2. Check out the rest of the country’s costume picks.
Tech
Scammers’ tactics are increasingly sophisticated — OmniWatch offers a groundbreaking layer of identity protection (think: 24/7 monitoring, full-scale identity restoration, and up to $25,000 in scam insurance).*
Category
Civic
🛣️ KCMO is paving streets with garbage
Your recycled waste could repave your neighborhood roads. | Photo by the City of Kansas City
And we love it. A select few KC neighborhoods may soon see their roads repaved with recycled materials, thanks to the city’s new “Trash to Roads” pilot program.
The collab between LiveGreenUSA, JM Fahey Construction, and the University of Missouri is currently testing three different asphalt mixes — all containing differing levels of waste (like tires + plastics) — on roads in the Glen Arbor + Foxcroft neighborhood.
Aimed at diverting landfill waste, these nontraditional additions are also expected to hold up better under constant heat and stress, meaning fewer cracks in city roads, even during KC’s fifth season.
The Buy
The Buy
A pair of thermal fleece lined leggings. Made with an elastic waistband and moisture-wicking fabric, they’re perfect for both casual and active wear.
If KCtoday never existed, my dream job would look a lot like The Pitch’s resident foodie expert Sarah Sipple’s. Her weekly roundup of all things exciting in KC’s restaurant + bar scene, KC Sipps, is one of my top resources for anti-meal prep (aka eating out when I can’t be bothered to cook).
