Kansas City Businesses Experience Mixed Impact From World Cup
WHO:
KSHB 41 Kansas City - Trey Meyers, representative of the Missouri Restaurant Association.
KCTV - Lance Pierce, owner of Karat Vacation Rental Management.
KCTV - Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026.
KCTV - Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer of FIFA World Cup 2026.
KCTV - Amy Hopfinger, Chief Business & Strategy Officer of FIFA World Cup 2026.
KSHB 41 Kansas City - Quinton Lucas, Mayor of Kansas City.
WHAT:
AOL.com - Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que reported unprecedented crowds during the World Cup, putting the restaurant on pace for a record summer and a record year for sales.
AOL.com - During Father’s Day weekend, Joe’s Kansas City served more than 2,000 slabs of ribs from Thursday through Sunday.
AOL.com - The restaurant experienced such high demand that they struggled to keep enough food in stock, coming close to running out of barbecue on several occasions.
AOL.com - Soccer star Jude Bellingham and several England teammates visited Joe’s Kansas City after their tournament run ended, initially waiting in line before being recognized and seated on the patio.
KCTV - A new industry report shows hotel occupancy in Kansas City jumped 8% during the tournament, with average nightly rates also rising.
KCTV - Properties near downtown and FanFest earned two to three times their normal nightly rate on game days.
KCTV - Early data from the 2026 FIFA World Cup indicates that visitors spent time and money at local restaurants and bars throughout their stays.
KCTV - Officials expect second-quarter economic data to be available within weeks, which is anticipated to provide a fuller accounting of the World Cup’s financial impact on the region.
KSHB 41 Kansas City - The Missouri Restaurant Association surveyed over 30 businesses representing 116 locations about their experiences during the FIFA World Cup.
KSHB 41 Kansas City - More than half of the surveyed businesses reported that business was slower than expected, with nearly six in 10 indicating a negative overall economic impact.
KSHB 41 Kansas City - 41% of businesses reported an increase in international visitors during the tournament.
KCTV - Hotel occupancy in Kansas City increased by 8% during the tournament, with average nightly rates also rising.
KCTV - Properties near downtown and FanFest earned two to three times their normal nightly rate on game days.
KCTV - FIFA thanked Kansas City for its hospitality and efforts during the World Cup, stating the city "welcomed the world with open arms."
WHERE:
KSHB 41 Kansas City - Kansas City, Missouri, served as one of 16 host cities for the FIFA World Cup.
KCTV - Properties closest to downtown and FanFest in Kansas City performed best in terms of occupancy and rates.
KCTV - The letter from FIFA mentioned Lawrence, Kansas, and Prairie Village as notable locations during the event.
WHEN:
KSHB 41 Kansas City - The letter from FIFA was dated Thursday, July 23, 2026.
KCTV - Early data from the 2026 FIFA World Cup was reported during the tournament.
WHY:
KCTV - The Missouri Restaurant Association hopes the findings from their survey can be a resource for officials in Kansas City for future large-scale events.
KSHB 41 Kansas City - Businesses in Kansas City aimed to elevate themselves and the city on the world stage during the World Cup.
KCTV - The increase in hotel occupancy and nightly rates was attributed to the influx of visitors for the World Cup.
HOW:
KSHB 41 Kansas City - Kansas City bars were granted temporary permits to stay open until 5 a.m. during the World Cup.
KCTV - The early data on hotel and rental performance was collected through industry reports and surveys conducted during the tournament.
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que has reported unprecedented crowds during the World Cup, putting the restaurant on track for a record summer and year in sales. During Father’s Day weekend alone, they served more than 2,000 slabs of ribs from Thursday through Sunday, facing such high demand that they nearly ran out of barbecue on several occasions. In a notable visit, soccer star Jude Bellingham and several of his England teammates stopped by after their tournament run, initially waiting in line before being recognized and seated on the patio.