Kansas City Aims to Host 2031 FIFA Women’s and Rugby Cups

WHO:

KCTV - Mayor Quinton Lucas introduced measures at Kansas City City Council to pursue hosting both the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup.

KCTV - Joe Fridkin, president of the KC Blues Rugby Club, discussed the competitive edge Kansas City has for the rugby bid.

KSHB 41 Kansas City - Rick Renfro, a former player with the Kansas Jayhawks Rugby Football Club, expressed his views on the potential hosting of the Rugby World Cup.

WHAT:

KCTV - Kansas City is one of 14 U.S. cities competing for the Women’s World Cup bid.

KCTV - Kansas City is one of 27 cities in the running for the Rugby World Cup.

KCTV - Joe Fridkin stated, “The most unique thing that Kansas City is gonna have is the Chiefs’ lease is up in January of 31.”

KCTV - Mayor Lucas emphasized, “More than anything, this plants a flag for every global event, every major national event that we’re there, we’ll be competing.”

KCTV - Kansas City is one of 27 cities competing for the Rugby World Cup bid.

KCTV - Arrowhead Stadium will be known as Kansas City Stadium during the World Cup.

KCTV - A media tour showcased the completed changes to Arrowhead Stadium ahead of matches that begin next week.

KCTV - Kansas City is competing for the Women’s World Cup bid against 13 other U.S. cities and for the Rugby World Cup against 26 other cities.

KCTV - Arrowhead Stadium will serve as the primary venue for both tournaments, with CPKC Stadium as a secondary site.

KCTV - Kansas City hosted six matches during the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, averaging nearly 69,000 fans per game.

KSHB 41 Kansas City - The City Council introduced an ordinance to prepare for the host city bid process for the 2031 Men's Rugby World Cup, which includes funding for services like police and transportation.

WHERE:

KCTV - Kansas City, Missouri, is the location pursuing the World Cup bids.

KCTV - Arrowhead Stadium is the primary venue for the tournaments, and CPKC Stadium is the secondary venue.

WHEN:

KCTV - FIFA is expected to formally select Women’s World Cup host cities in November.

KCTV - The Rugby World Cup host decision is expected following the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

KCTV - The Kansas City Chiefs’ lease at Arrowhead Stadium expires in January 2031.

WHY:

KCTV - Mayor Lucas stated, “Give me a place where you can have your league, your event take over in the same way that it did right here in Kansas City. There aren’t many.”

KCTV - Mayor Lucas cited the successful hosting of the 2026 Men’s World Cup as evidence of Kansas City's capability to host major international events.

KCTV - Joe Fridkin mentioned that the expiration of the Chiefs’ lease provides a scheduling advantage for the rugby bid.

HOW:

KSHB 41 Kansas City - The ordinance introduced by the City Council would provide funding for services like police, fire, EMS, and transportation if Kansas City is selected as an official host city.

KCTV - Kansas City plans to continue conversations about public spending related to hosting the World Cups, with the 2026 Men’s World Cup costing taxpayers roughly $280 million in public funds.

Kansas City is vying to be an official host city for both the Women’s World Cup and the Rugby World Cup, competing against a total of 14 and 27 cities respectively. Mayor Lucas highlighted the significance of this opportunity, stating that it positions Kansas City as a contender for every major global and national event. To support this bid, the City Council has introduced an ordinance that would allocate funding for essential services like police, fire, EMS, and transportation if Kansas City is selected.