How the World Cup could give KC a long-term boost
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The world is coming. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
With about five months till the start of the World Cup, KC2026 is counting on visiting teams and their fans to boost Kansas City's reputation on the global stage.
Why it matters: KC2026 chief executive Pam Kramer says major visiting teams, like Argentina and the Netherlands, will give the city a level of visibility that could drive long-term growth.
State of play: In preparation for the massive event, KC2026 has processed thousands of volunteer tryouts and looped in more than 500 community organizations.
- "We're really using the new information we have, the match schedule, the matchups, the teams that are coming, what we know about their fan traditions, customs and cultures" to fine-tune planning, Kramer says.
The latest: Teams have been touring Kansas City's sports facilities and will decide by the end of the week their top five choices for base camp — where they will call home over the course of the World Cup.
- FIFA won't release the base camp designations until April, after the final six teams are decided.
Zoom in: Hosting the World Cup is expected to boost the local economy and generate lots of buzz about Kansas City in the short term.
- KC2026 expects $653 million in regional economic impact based on at least 650,000 fans anticipated over the course of the event.
- Kramer says top-ranked teams could bring 100-plus media members who report on players' experiences in base camp cities.
Zoom out: All that coverage could also generate long-term effects for KC, like an increase in tourism and a better global reputation — something that's highly dependent on how local leaders leverage the money and attention from the event.
Case in point: KC2026 in October announced plans for KCHouse, an exclusive hub on the Plaza meant to represent local interests and build international relationships that will "fuel growth long after the final whistle," Kramer said in a statement.
The bottom line: The teams that show up in Kansas City this summer, both for matches and for base camps, will open the door for lasting local improvements.