FIFA World Cup Celebrations Come Alive Across Missouri.
In 2026, Kansas City takes center stage as one of 16 locations in the United States to host the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup, confirming the city’s status as a soccer mecca in America. From June 11 to July 19, soccer matches will be played at the GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Through this event, hosted for the first time in Kansas City, visitors will be able to experience the city’s hospitality, culture, and community spirit.
While Kansas City will host the official FIFA Fan Festival, World Cup watch parties and celebrations will extend across the state. As fans celebrate and enjoy the soccer festivities, they can experience the best of the Midwest. From Kansas City’s iconic barbecue to Northland craft breweries to Lee’s Summit’s soccer fields, the heartland will come alive as communities invite the world to join the party.
Kansas City
The Heart of the Tournament
June 11–July 19
Kansas City is opening its “front yard,” the iconic south lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, for the official FIFA Fan Festival, June 11 to July 19. The event will accommodate up to 25,000 fans and feature large viewing screens and live entertainment. The festival will showcase local talent and food vendors, serving everything from Kansas City’s legendary barbecue to international cuisines.
“We’re united by a shared work ethic, authentic hospitality, and a ‘get it done’ mindset that has allowed us to boldly plan to host the World Cup,” says Pam Kramer, chief executive officer of KC2026, a nonprofit organization that is overseeing Kansas City’s role as host city for the World Cup.
The festival’s entrance features a 65-foot-tall heart-shaped archway representing Kansas City as the “heart of America.” The nickname reflects the city’s central location and its “Midwest nice” reputation.
Populous, a global design firm, designed the festival with everyone in mind, from seasoned soccer fans to the soccer curious. Two massive stages and nearly 4,500 square feet of video boards will livestream the excitement.
The city’s free and accessible streetcar system, KC Streetcar, will provide transportation to watch par- ties and festivities across the city. International flags will line the streets of Kansas City as matches unfold throughout this month-long global gathering.
General admission to the FIFA Fan Festival is free. Premium tickets offer an enhanced experience with guaranteed entrance, exclusive shaded viewing zones, private bar access, elevated food options, and limited-access merchandise.
2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City • KansasCityFWC26.com
Lee’s Summit
Green Street Market’s Futbal Fridays
June 12, 19, and 26, and July 3 and 10
Located 20 minutes away from Arrowhead Stadium, Lee’s Summit is ready to welcome celebrators of the World Cup. Laura Maxwell and Jon Ellis, cochairs of LSGoal26, a nonprofit based in Lee’s Summit with the initiative to celebrate the World Cup through soccer events and tourism, have been preparing to accommodate visitors as the events approach. “There is a lot of energy around the World Cup for both residents and visitors,” Laura says. “They’ll be looking for activities and great ways to enjoy the games.”
A dedicated team of volunteers for LSGoal26, composed of over 200 city residents and council members, will be orchestrating celebrations that will transform Lee’s Summit into a vibrant destination for soccer fans from around the globe.
The crown jewel of Lee’s Summit’s World Cup experience will unfold at Green Street Market, a new gathering place in the city, which opened in 2025. Five Futbal Fridays will be hosted by LSGoal26 at this venue, hoping to draw 1,000 fans each day. Matches will be live-streamed on large screens, and soccer-themed lawn games will be available for fans along with relays, outdoor inflatables, food trucks, and entertainment from local DJs. Pop-up shops and interactive experiences will add to the festive atmosphere.
Beyond match days, visitors can explore Lee’s Summit’s thriving local scene through restaurants, craft microbreweries, Stonehaus Winery, coffee shops, and unique businesses. For those seeking quieter moments, Powell Gardens offers botanical beauty, while nearby lakes feature marina boat rentals and hiking trails—perfect summer respites.
209 SE Green Street, Lee’s Summit • LSGoal26.org
North Kansas City
Seven Watch Parties
June 12–July 11
Communities across Clay and Platte counties have united through the Go North KC initiative, a campaign to spotlight the Northland’s major destinations, by creating a series of seven watch parties for the FIFA World Cup. Each location will offer a unique viewing experience for soccer fans while they enjoy local flavors and art.
Every viewing party includes giant screen-viewing areas, interactive soccer skills zones, and family areas with inflatables, lawn games, and soccer-themed craft stations. Local bands and DJs will provide live music, while food trucks will offer everything from barbecue to tacos to artisan ice cream to craft beverages.
Local artists have created giant traveling murals at each location, featuring some of the world’s best soccer players. The series will also debut a 20-foot inflatable soccer ball art installation—a playful centerpiece to commemorate the World Cup.
“We wanted to create something that showcases what makes the Northland special,” says Megan Sahlfeld, Go North KC’s tourism and marketing manager. “Each community brings its own personality to the series, and together they tell the story of who we are—welcoming, creative, and proud of our local businesses and gathering spaces.”
The Go North KC watch party tour kicks off June 12 at Liberty High School in Liberty, with activities focused on students’ and families’ interests. On June 16, the next watch party will be at the Central Bank Sporting Complex in Kansas City, home to state-of-the-art fields and inclusive playgrounds. On June 19, a watch party will be held at Jesse James Park in Kearney, which offers small-town charm with its outdoor amphitheater, walking trails, and a dog park. On June 20, Gladstone will host a watch party at Happy Rock Park, along with offering its expansive green space, playgrounds, and shaded trails where attendees can attend a Kick It 3v3 Soccer tournament before watching the World Cup match.
The tour continues with a watch party on June 27 at Zona Rosa in Kansas City—the Northland’s premier shopping and entertainment district—where fans can bring chairs and blankets to watch the game on two giant screens. On July 3, the watch party heads to new Morton Amphitheater in Riverside, a state-of-the-art performance venue with scenic riverfront views. The watch parties wrap up July 11 in North Kansas City at Swift Street, and at Macken Park, along with a street party at Swift Street, an urban setting known for its arts, dining, and nightlife scene. All watch parties are free.
Fans can extend their Northland experience through the Tap Into Local digital pass, a guide to craft breweries, family-owned wineries, and small-batch distilleries across the seven communities. After watch parties, participants can check in at participating locations to sample locally made beverages and unlock rewards. The pass encourages visitors to explore multiple Northland neighborhoods and destinations.
Getting Around
The Hub-and-Spoke System
The Greater Kansas City metro area is known for its sprawling landscape. To accommodate visitors, an innovative hub-and-spoke transportation system has been designed to make the entire metro area accessible to visitors during the tournament. This multilayered system includes KC Streetcar, rideshares, taxis, bus transportation, and bike and scooter shares, enabling visitors to move easily from place to place.
The ConnectKC26 bus network links the airport, stadium, downtown attractions, communities across the metro, and fan watch party hubs throughout the region, including Lee’s Summit and the Northland. The system extends beyond Kansas City, connecting fans from eight Midwestern states via regional bus services.
This article was orginally printed in the March/April 2026 issue of Missouri Life.
