Preparing for the biggest event to ever hit the KC region

Soccer ball

More than 650,000 projected visitors to the Kansas City region from around the world. Projected $650 million in local economic impact. Forty-eight countries from around the globe competing in 104 soccer matches. More than 3.2 billion in viewership. However you measure it, the FIFA World Cup™ is the world’s largest and most prestigious single-sport event. It’s only coming to 16 North American cities in 2026, and as you most likely have heard by now, Kansas City is one of them.

Johnson County caught the FIFA World Cup™ fever early on and has been in planning mode for more than two years. That focus and excitement start at the top with Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly and goes back to May 2023. That’s when KC2026 was formed as a regional non-profit with the mission of overseeing and taking on the duties of a host city. Chairman Kelly was included in the KC2026 Board of Directors.

“We know that Johnson County is an amazing place to live, work and play,” said Chairman Kelly. “The FIFA World Cup™ is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show the rest of the country and the entire world what makes us so special. The investments we’re making to maximize the economic and cultural impact of the games will leave a lasting legacy for our community.“

In the months following the KC2026 launch, Johnson County Government began dedicating resources to KC2026. In June 2024, the BOCC allocated $1.5 million to KC2026 to support funding for transportation, safety and security, staffing, legacy and general event support such as marketing, branding and digital/IT support.

In addition to financial resources, the county deployed its workforce to start collaborating on and planning for this once-in-a-lifetime event taking place in our metro area. The county reassigned an existing employee, Bo McCall, to an 18-month assignment as the organization’s FIFA World Cup™ Special Project Manager. In addition, the county created six subcommittees to start discussing several topics, including transportation, public safety, community engagement and workforce issues.

What are KC2026’s thoughts on how Johnson County is preparing for FIFA World Cup™?

“Johnson County has been a leader in our regional FIFA World Cup™ efforts since the bid process. That leadership has continued as we work to create sustained and long-term impact from the largest event to ever happen in our region. International visitors are expected to stay for nearly 10 days, seeking accommodations, dining, entertainment, culture, and hospitality between matches. Johnson County leaders have been creative and proactive, recognizing the tremendous opportunity to showcase the places, experiences, people and quality of life that make Johnson County a great place to visit and call home.” -Pam Kramer, KC2026 CEO

Strong focus on public safety

Early on, the county initiated monthly internal security and emergency services meetings to coordinate public safety, health and medical planning. This work included staff and leadership from the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, Emergency Services, the Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney and Corrections. In addition, the county team began planning with regional and state partners for public safety resource management. These health and safety experts have a shared commitment to preparedness for any emergency during the FIFA World Cup™ and to maintaining service levels for residents despite the number of visitors who will be here.

“With the potential for our visitor population to surge nearly 28% during the FIFA World Cup™, it is important to ensure our public safety personnel (law enforcement, EMS, firefighters, dispatchers and emergency managers) are prepared and that regional networks of mutual support are strong,” said Paul Davis, Department of Emergency Services Director. “Through continued training, planning and response preparedness, our community and visitors can rest assured knowing they will be protected."

Transit

White bus with Johnson County United logo

With hundreds of thousands of people gathering in the Kansas City metro from all over the world, many without their own vehicles, an efficient and easy-to-navigate public transportation system will be crucial. As a leading partner in Kansas City’s public transit system, Johnson County Government is making plans to help visitors and residents get where they need to go, within and outside Johnson County.

In 2026, Johnson County will create a temporary transit route connecting the Kansas City International Airport, Lenexa City Center and the Overland Park Convention Center. Most of it will be paid for by a $2.6 million grant from the Mid-America Regional Council, plus a $600,000 local match evenly split between Johnson County, Lenexa and Overland Park. In addition to this route, Johnson County is collaborating with KC2026 and city partners for possible other circulator routes within Johnson County, plus direct service routes from Johnson County to FIFA Fan Festival™ at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

How will residents and visitors travel these routes? In the style and comfort of 60 (10 purchased, 50 leased) 37- and 57-passenger buses with air conditioning, USB chargers, reclining seats and Wi-Fi. Johnson County was the first local jurisdiction in the region to secure these types of vehicles for the FIFA World Cup™.

“With an event of such scale and complexity we are working at an accelerated pace to plan for the travel needs of residents and visitors and getting the necessary resources, like vehicles and operators, in place for 2026,” said Josh Powers, Johnson County’s Director of Transit. “We have an amazing group of professionals across many disciplines working together to make this FIFA World Cup™ a success, and in Johnson County we are well prepared to deliver convenient and comfortable transportation options to help people navigate through the metro and enjoy this unique event.”

Planning for the fun!

2026 World Cup monument sign in front of Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex

Along with creating plans and strategies for transportation, emergency preparedness and other logistical coordination, Johnson County has jumped into the excitement and the fun of the FIFA World Cup™.

Johnson County Park and Recreation District has set its sights on making sure visitors and residents have plenty of opportunities to engage in FIFA World Cup™ fever. From June 16 to July 19, JCPRD’s Theatre in the Park will transform into an international soccer celebration, presented in partnership with Johnson County Government. The venue will feature a new large-scale LED screen for select match viewings with the capacity to welcome up to 2,500 guests. Early plans include:

  • Food trucks and local vendors
  • Public art experiences
  • Live entertainment on stage during commercial breaks and between matches
  • Recreational soccer fields for casual play
  • Creative activities for all ages

JCPRD is also organizing the Kansas City Unity Cup, a soccer tournament inspired by this global event. This event will bring together immigrant communities from across the Kansas City metro in a spirit of friendly competition and shared culture.

For those who find it fun to learn the history of a place they are visiting, the Johnson County Museum will debut a new exhibition titled “Everyday Democracy,” commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Through the lens of Johnson County history, the exhibit explores civic engagement, inclusion and the evolving promise of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” For readers, libraries around the metro area, including Johnson County Library, are coming together to determine a collective Summer Reading theme to celebrate FIFA World Cup™.

Celebrating the one-year mark

County commissioners and staff pose in front of KC26 World Cup display

Alongside others in the county and metro, Johnson County took a break from the planning to celebrate reaching June 11, 2025…the official one-year countdown from the start of the FIFA World Cup™. We joined hundreds of people who attended a KC2026 event at Union Station that included remarks from Chairman Kelly and the unveiling of the metro’s first FIFA countdown clock.

Less than two weeks later, Johnson County hosted a news conference with Overland Park to reveal a second heartshaped clock at Scheels OP Soccer Complex. In addition to celebrating the installation of the countdown clock in Johnson County, another big reveal happened at this event.

Johnson County officially launched “Johnson County United,” an initiative uniting Johnson County and all of its cities to give visitors and residents the ultimate experience during the FIFA World Cup™. This collaborative effort will help everyone navigate through Johnson County with branded signage and JohnsonCountyUnited.com, a one-stop online source for information on entertainment, amenities, outdoor recreation, culture and a history of our county.

Collaboration has been key

Johnson County United is just one of many examples of regional collaboration efforts behind planning for the FIFA World Cup™. Johnson County is participating in regular meetings on a wide variety of topics, at the local, regional, state and national levels. Chairman Kelly recently participated on a panel at the National Association of Counties to share the collaboration and planning that is happening in our county and our region.

“No matter what side of the state line you’re on, the KC community is all in this together,” said Johnson County FIFA World Cup™ Project Manager Bo McCall. “Just like the teamwork we’ll see on the field during the FIFA World Cup™ matches, the planning and coordination happening across Johnson County and the entire metro is a team sport. Johnson County is collaborating with KC2026, government agencies, businesses and community organizations across the region to create an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors and to showcase our community on the world stage.”

How can you kick off your FIFA World Cup™ excitement?

There are already several opportunities to join in the FIFA World Cup™ magic.

  • Learn more about KC’s six FIFA World Cup™ matches, dates, and FIFA Fan Festival™; listen to the Official FIFA World Cup™ Kansas City anthem; and more at kansascityfwc26.com.
  • Find out how your small business can support Host City event events and regional activations at kansascityfwc26.com/business-opportunities.
  • Browse through some Kansas City FIFA merchandise at store.fifa.com.
  • Register your interest for tickets at FIFA.com/tickets.
  • Bookmark JohnsonCountyUnited.com and make sure to visit the site often as we get closer to next summer.

Over the coming months, JoCo Magazine will continue to provide updates on our FIFA World Cup™ preparations and share ways for you to get involved.

Did you know?

  • Largest and most prestigious single-sport event in the world
  • More than 3.2 billion in viewership
  • More teams and more matches than ever before
  • First tournament to be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three countries
  • Kansas City is set to host six matches at Arrowhead Stadium between June 16 and July 11, 2026, including a Round of 32 match (July 3) and a quarterfinal (July 11).
  • Up to three international teams could select the Kansas City metro as their team base camp location. These camps serve as home bases for training, accommodations, and preparations throughout the tournament, bringing added international attention and local economic benefits.
  • Kansas City expects to welcome around 650,000 visitors during the World Cup and forecasts $650 million in local economic impact, $163 million of which is projected for Kansas
  • Kansas City is the smallest market to be a host city, and we are the only host in the midwest region.