As Kansas prepares for an influx of visitors next summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, local officials are having conversations about how to highlight local tourism and businesses.
At the City Commission meeting Monday night, City Manager Kevyn Gero said there would be discussions in the near future about planning for the FIFA games.
“Douglas County has a concerted effort to make sure we’re prepared for public safety, tourism and any economic development,” she said in an interview Tuesday. “I think fans and businesses alike will be interested to see all activities going on with the World Cup and how that will impact them.”
Kansas City is set to host six matches from June 16 to July 11, 2026. About 650,000 visitors are expected to come, with estimates that communities within a 200-mile radius will see an influx in tourism, the FIFA World Cup KC website said.
The Kansas City 2026 World Cup Economic Development Working Group, which is made up of business owners and county officials, estimates the games will have the economic impact of six Super Bowls.
Lawrence is being considered as a base camp for one of the teams at Rock Chalk Park, according to a news release from Douglas County. Locations for base camps will be announced later this year. Gero, who is part of the county’s economic development working group, said they are crossing their fingers for Lawrence to host a team.
Convention and Visitors Bureau President Jason Musick said the bureau is also in the beginning planning stages related to the World Cup next summer.
The Star Spangled Celebration and fireworks show on the Fourth of July this summer will lay a foundation for the event next year, he said.
Although the city and the CVB are still in the planning stages, the World Cup will be a golden opportunity for agritourism in the community, he said.
De Soto is also having preliminary conversations about what next summer will look like, Mayor Rick Walker said.
“I think we’re looking for options that we might be able to offer some sort of a festival event on Friday night, on an off-night,” he said. “But we have not gotten word because we’re a small community down the list.”
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