Confidence may be KC's biggest World Cup win
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Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026. Photos: Travis Meier/Axios
Kansas City is coming out on top of several key World Cup statistics, but KC2026 chief executive Pam Kramer says the broader boon for the city is "confidence."
The big picture: The remnants of the World Cup are fading around town following what organizers say was an overall success.
- The National WWI Museum and Memorial reopened its south lawn and loop parking Friday after more than two months of closures for Fan Fest's buildout.
- Meanwhile, Theatre in the Park in Johnson County resumed its summer season with the opening weekend of "How to Succeed" after pausing for watch parties.
By the numbers: KC had the highest rating of World Cup viewers through Fox Sports out of any city using the network.
- Fan Fest welcomed more than 400,000 attendees, and the stadium averaged near capacity across all six matches, per KC2026 data.
- A recent New York Times article lists KC as a World Cup winner — along with luxury travel companies, Norway and the beer industry.
What they're saying: Confidence "leads to ambition, and when you believe you can do big things, you go after big things," Kramer says.
- She says the outcome — including the local pride people have been left with — proves KC can "perform bigger than we are."
- "Whether that's future events or investment in the region or new trade partnerships, lots of good things already in the works," she adds.
The intrigue: Kramer tells Axios that KC2026 will be around at least through the end of 2027, and the board will decide what happens long term.
- Employees will slowly transition out of KC2026, which is helping with resumes and interviewing skills.
- "I'm not in any hurry to take on another 18-hour-a-day" project, Kramer says.
Yes, but: KC is part of the U.S.'s bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2031, which Politico reports is likely to succeed.
What we're watching: Whether the number of visitors and expected economic impact were as big as originally projected.
- Economic impact numbers through July won't be fully available until after Q3.
Go deeper: KC's "Soccer Capital" claim has receipts