“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: How does local participation relate to what events, tournaments, and new franchises the office works to bring to KC?
We have three words that my Sports Commission and I focus on, and it’s “Participate, spectate and celebrate.” [...] Our funding is based off of people showing up and participating in our events and being sponsors or donors — that funding helps us go on to do things like the NFL Draft, MLB All-Star Games, Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball.
Q: Any word on volunteer opportunities leading up to or during the 2026 World Cup?
We will need thousands of volunteers to come and help us pull off what will be the biggest event in the history of the world. The best way to get information is on our website, kansascityfwc26.com — put in your information and your email, and you’ll start to receive updates about what’s going on. We have not started our volunteer sign up process yet, but that will come in the early stages of 2025.
Q: What else are the KC Sports Commission + Visit KC working on? Is there an Olympics 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.
We probably wouldn’t bid on a summer Olympics because of all the venue requirements, but it’s great that we are in the mix to host the Rugby World Cup. [...] Beyond that, we have constant communication with the leagues, from WNBA to Olympic Gymnastics trials.
