Kansas City is a proud sports community. We have a deep history of competitive success and boundary-breaking athletic feats, and the opportunity to welcome the world next summer will be another defining moment.
As a destination, we’ll also benefit by aligning with broader industry trends and pursuing travelers in search of distinctive cultural experiences, both in 2026 and beyond.
From the moment the FIFA World Cup 26™ bid process began, we knew there was a defining element that set Kansas City apart: our culture. A unique love of soccer, an undeniable spirit of Midwestern hospitality, and essential U.S. encounters like barbecue and jazz gave us the opportunity to tell a story that simply can’t be matched elsewhere. Kansas City is, both literally and figuratively, at the center of the American experience.
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Sharing KC’s story
This is the same story we’re proud to share with visitors from around the world, whether they’re joining the crowd for an American sports experience or taking an authentic look at the country’s roots. As kickoff approaches and Kansas City’s global presence grows, we’re being thoughtful about supporting industry professionals with guidance that incorporates World Cup-inspired experiences, no matter when guests arrive.
First, Kansas City’s official FIFA Fan Festival™ is taking place on the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial across multiple days of the tournament. Visitors have the chance to experience the excitement of the event throughout the summer, even if their travel plans don’t align precisely with one of Kansas City’s match dates. It’s a perfect opportunity to step inside one of our most storied institutions. The venue is the country’s officially designated World War I museum and contains an unparalleled collection of artifacts from the Great War.
More broadly, the World Cup invites travelers who are discovering a region’s rich culture to explore more of KC, as the tournament takes place and all year long. Encounter UNESCO-recognized jazz here in Kansas City, blues in St. Louis, Beale Street in Memphis and Broadway in Nashville. Those looking to draw on the inspiration of true Americans can travel between cowtowns from KC to Dallas-Fort Worth, soaking in the open skies and Wild West iconography of Kansas and Oklahoma along the way.
Endless heartland encounters in 2026
Of course, we can’t let the essential factors that drive travel decisions fall by the wayside, especially as economic sensitivities persist. Kansas City’s offerings are affordable, from lodging and shopping to free museums and cultural institutions. We work hard to ensure potential visitors know our community’s gems are truly within reach, especially as they consider investing in extended trips across an entire region.
We aren’t alone in the journey. Encounters with the American heartland will be nearly endless throughout 2026, as the World Cup coincides with the country’s sesquicentennial and the 100th anniversary of Route 66. We’re collaborating with partners at the Missouri Division of Tourism, Travel South USA and many other organizations to make multi-city and multi-state trip planning tools available at an entirely new level.
Locally, an international spotlight has allowed us to encourage a focus on everyday resources that serve group travel and global visitors. Our museums are investing in self-guided tours and more comprehensive translation services. Special exhibitions are being developed that respond to the interests of our incoming guests, and new collaborations between cultural institutions are being forged. It’s encouraging to know these new approaches will strengthen our travel industry well beyond next summer.
Inside our own organization, we’re leveraging the World Cup as a catalyst to develop guides that can make planners’ work easier. Ready-made itineraries for American music, Western history, sports and many more culture-driven experiences throughout the Kansas City region are available now on our new travel trade website. We’ve also expanded our staff dedicated to supporting group travel, so if you’re looking to add new and dynamic American itineraries to your offerings, we’d love to hear from you!
In the year ahead, uniquely American moments will converge with a truly global soccer celebration. With a distinct culture and diehard fans, Kansas City is at the center of it all, and we’re capitalizing on the chance to strengthen our travel resources in lasting ways as we continue welcoming domestic and global travelers to the Heart of America.
Visit KC and KC Sports Commission
Kathy Nelson
A native Kansas Citian, Kathy Nelson serves as the President and CEO of both Visit KC and the Kansas City Sports Commission. Nelson expanded her responsibilities to take the helm at Visit KC in January 2022 while continuing to lead the KC Sports Commission, a role she has held since 2011.
Most recently, Kathy has been behind the success of such high-profile achievements as the 2023 NFL Draft & bringing FIFA World Cup 26™ to Kansas City. A veteran communicator and storyteller, Nelson’s diverse background includes senior management positions in marketing, sales and promotions at Time Warner Cable and Metro Sports, in addition to several roles at FOX 4/WDAF-TV in Kansas City.
In recognition of her service, Nelson has been honored with several accolades over the years. She has been named the 2024 Executive of the Year by the Sports Events & Tourism Association, the 2023 USA Today’s Women of the Year Missouri Honoree and the 2022Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe Women of Achievement award.
By Kathy Nelson
Uncover the groundbreaking achievements of industry trailblazers in Titans of Tourism—your window into travel’s biggest success stories.
