Kansas City has worked hard to prepare for this historic global moment by improving infrastructure, enhancing public safety, supporting local businesses and reinforcing critical services to ensure residents and 2026 FIFA World Cup visitors have a safe and exciting summer, and that Kansas Citians will benefit from these investments for years to come. With Kansas City set to host its first match next week, we wanted to share a recap of some of the many projects that the City of Kansas City has taken on: for our summer, and for our future.
Health Preparedness
With the upcoming increase in visitors and activity, the Kansas City Health department has introduced prevention and education initiatives so that visitors and residents can have a safe and heathy experience. One such initiative is Match Ready KC: Heart of the City, a free educational series for individuals to receive training in CPR, Narcan, blood stoppage and EpiPen administration.
Welcoming Kansas City Video Series
As Kansas City prepares for international visitors, the Civil Rights & Equal Opportunity department (CREO) aims to highlight civil rights protections and educate visitors and residents about respectful communication, unconscious bias, disability access and accommodation through their Welcoming Kansas City anti-discrimination video series on the City’s YouTube channel.
First Welcomes at the Airport
The Aviation Department is coordinating arrivals for each of the four homebase teams as they land in Kansas City. Photos from the arrivals are available for media use, with the Netherlands and England set to arrive later this week.
Tejiendo Redes
The Convention Center is hosting an art installation titled “Tejiendo Redes,” by Mexican artist Betsabeé Romero on the south lawn. The piece includes two steel soccer goals, both featuring hand-woven netting and 160 metallic figures intertwined with gold and red ropes. The installation is open to the public and on display through July 30.
Comprehensive Public Safety Operations Plan
The Kansas City Fire Department has built a comprehensive public safety operations plan designed to support Kansas City Stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival™. Some of the plan’s key components include coordinating incident management with local, state, federal and FIFA partners, with new resources that will serve Kansas City for years beyond the final whistle in July.
City of Entrepreneurs Marketplace
The Neighborhood Services department, in partnership with the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC), is launching a local business marketplace in the Union Station Grand Exhibition Hall from June 11 through July 12. The free and open to the public marketplace features a range of small businesses and artists and creates an opportunity for exposure to residents and visitors.
Open Doors!
Beginning June 1, over 20 local businesses are occupying vacant storefronts throughout various Kansas City neighborhoods, including the Crossroads, 18th & Vine, River Market, Midtown and Westport through the Open Doors! Program. The businesses will temporarily operate from these storefronts, providing them a space to test concepts and expand their reach.
Westside Improvements
The Public Works Department has completed major safety improvements along Southwest Blvd., from 25th St. to Broadway Blvd. Traffic will be smoother for both pedestrians and drivers thanks to repaved roadways, new traffic signals, flood storage infrastructure, streetscape improvements and upgrades under the I-35 overpass.
Stadium Drive Upgrades
In preparation for increased traffic along Stadium Drive, Public Works has delivered safety upgrades from Raytown Road to East 31st Street, including lane configuration, new sidewalks, a raised shared use path and shared through lanes.
Grand Boulevard Bike & Pedestrian Bridge
The department has implemented a dedicated pathway for bicyclists and pedestrians along the Grand Boulevard Bridge, connecting the River Market to Berkley Riverfront Park. The bridge, positioned outside of the existing vehicular bridge, creates a safe and continuous connection throughout the Kansas City community.
18th Street Pedestrian Mall
The historic 18th Street from Paseo to Woodland Avenue has been redesigned for pedestrian access, which allows for more walkability and connection between 18th Street businesses and the community. Upgrades include repaved streets and sidewalks, landscaping beds and public seating, removable bollards, new lighting fixtures and waterline replacements.
These improvements offer a sampling of the City’s preparation ahead of the World Cup. The City continues to make enhancements to public safety, infrastructure and the community, proving to the world that this Kansas City is a special place, capable of doing big things.
For more information on the City's World Cup projects and initiatives, visit the Match Ready KC webpage.
For questions, contact media@kcmo.org.
