Kansas City has realized a long-standing ambition by hosting games during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leveraging a unique connection to professional soccer rooted in the legacy of Lamar Hunt, the late owner of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. Hunt, a founding figure in U.S. professional soccer and an early proponent of Major League Soccer, previously sought to bring the 1994 World Cup to the Midwest but was unsuccessful. This year, as the smallest host city in the tournament, Kansas City is hoping that significant investments and its soccer heritage will elevate its status as an international sports hub.

The city’s preparation for the event involved more than $40 million in renovations to Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs’ home venue, which FIFA requires be referred to as “Kansas City Stadium” during the tournament due to strict branding rules. Renovations included removing about 3,500 lower-level seats to accommodate the larger soccer pitch, rebuilding the stadium floor, installing a new grass surface, and covering all NFL branding and sponsorships. Despite these extensive changes, Mark Donovan, president of the Chiefs and head of their business operations, acknowledged that the arrangement remains heavily skewed in FIFA’s favor, particularly from a stadium venue perspective.

Kansas City is hosting six matches, including a quarterfinal, with an anticipated economic impact of approximately $653 million stemming from an expected influx of around 650,000 visitors. Public spending to stage the event is estimated at nearly $200 million, a figure that reflects a broader national backlash in several U.S. cities over the substantial taxpayer funds directed toward transport, security, and other infrastructure needs—even as FIFA garners the majority of revenue from ticket sales, media rights, and sponsorships.

The metropolitan area, spanning parts of Missouri and Kansas and ranking as the 31st-largest in the U.S., proudly identifies as the “Soccer Capital of America.” This reputation traces back to Hunt’s passion for the sport, which was ignited during a trip to Dublin in 1962. His vision spurred substantial regional investments totaling about $650 million over the past 15 years to build and upgrade soccer facilities. These include training grounds for several participating national teams: Argentina trains at Sporting KC’s complex; the Netherlands uses the Kansas City Current’s new training center; England is based at Swope Soccer Village; and Algeria trains at the University of Kansas, some 40 miles from the city.

Looking ahead, Kansas City’s aspirations stretch beyond the World Cup. The Chiefs are planning a $3 billion domed stadium set to open in 2031, positioning the region to attract major sporting events including future Super Bowls and college championships. This vision recently sparked political tensions when Missouri lost the Chiefs’ long-time home to Kansas following an unprecedented $1.8 billion public funding package, with the Hunt family covering the remaining costs. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly framed the move as a major boost for the state’s economy and image, highlighting the potential for job creation, tourism, and attracting younger residents.

For Donovan, hosting World Cup knockout matches underscores Kansas City’s new standing alongside major U.S. cities such as Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles as a premier venue on the global sports stage. The city’s ability to successfully manage such a high-profile event could pave the way for additional international opportunities and future growth.