Kansas City Gears up for World Cup: Aiming for Global Fame

WHO:

NBC News - Kansas City is the smallest host city in the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup.

CNN - Victor Matheson, a professor at The College of the Holy Cross and an expert on sports economics.

CNN - Jenny Wilson, vice president of tourism development at Visit KC.

CNN - Quinton Lucas, Mayor of Kansas City.

CNN - Pam Kramer, chief executive officer of KC2026.

CNN - Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA.

CNN - Katia Parker, Vice President of Charlie Hustle.

CNN - Kyle Witherspoon, partner at Johnny’s Tavern.

WHAT:

NBC News - Kansas City is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup.

NBC News - Organizers expect an estimated 650,000 people to be in the city throughout the tournament.

NBC News - Six games will be played at Arrowhead Stadium.

CNN - Kansas City is betting almost $200 million on the World Cup to transform into a global tourist destination.

CNN - Organizers project more than $653 million in direct economic impacts through various sectors.

CNN - Kansas City increased listings for short-term rentals by 56 percent by the end of May.

CNN - About 55 percent of Kansas City’s short-term rentals are booked around game days.

CNN - Available rooms are 182 percent more expensive than the same time last year.

WHERE:

NBC News - Kansas City, Missouri.

NBC News - Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.

CNN - Kansas City’s downtown area.

WHEN:

CNN - The World Cup matches begin on Tuesday.

CNN - Katherine Riedel listed her home on Airbnb for the first time this spring.

CNN - Riedel initially priced her home at $1,000 per night.

WHY:

CNN - Local officials believe hosting the World Cup is a significant opportunity for Kansas City.

CNN - Kansas City hopes to revitalize its economy and global reputation similar to the impact of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

CNN - Visa restrictions and Trump administration’s immigration policies are keeping foreigners away.

HOW:

CNN - Kansas City propped up transit lines to the airport, stadium, and downtown fan festival.

CNN - Homeowners are renting out their spaces to accommodate visitors.

CNN - An Uber spokesperson stated the company is adding more drivers for the event.

(UPDATED June 16, 2026 16:32 UTC)

Kansas City is gearing up to host the FIFA World Cup, marking it as the smallest host city in the U.S. for this prestigious tournament, with organizers expecting around 650,000 visitors. Six games will take place at Arrowhead Stadium, and local officials are investing nearly $200 million to transform the city into a global tourist destination, projecting over $653 million in direct economic impacts. To accommodate the influx of fans, short-term rental listings have surged by 56 percent, with available rooms now costing 182 percent more than last year, as homeowners and companies like Uber prepare for the matches starting on Tuesday.