Is Missouri Ready for the World to Visit in 2026?

A year from now the World Cup will be occurring and Missouri is making efforts to be ready for the massive wave of travelers, domestic and foreign. Infrastructure around the state will be tested. Is it ready?

Kansas City is one of 11 cities in the USA hosting World Cup 2026 matches

Places to stay-- Hotels, Air BNBs, Vrbos are already being booked, not just in Kansas City metro, but also rooms and homes are expected to be booked for 2-2 ½ hours in all directions. That means Columbia, St. Joseph, Topeka and even cities further are bracing for a bump in stays for those trekking to Kansas City, including as far away as Wichita, Des Moines, Omaha, Springfield, Joplin, and even St. Louis. There’ll be an expected 650,000 people coming to Kansas City just for the 6 KC matches. That’s more than the population of Kansas City itself.

KC metro = 2.3 million - Plus 650,000 more next summer

Getting there—Transportation to Arrowhead is going to be hairy for these matches. Kansas City metro covers a huge area. Getting people from those areas to Truman Sports Complex will be a task. The city has rented an extra 200 buses to help move people. They are also building an extension for the KC Street Car route that currently runs between City Market near Berkley Riverfront Park by the river to Washington Square Park and Union Station.

Will the expanded transportation infrastructure be enough?

Security presence—Extra police are always brought in for playoff football games, this will require more. The added police presence will be welcome for locals and those visiting, but with an influx of 650,000 people there will be increased incidents. Extra temporary jail facilities are being planned and built or transformed. Also expect expanded viewing areas at Truman Sports Complex, KC Power & Light and other locations.

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Handling all the extra people and everything that goes with that would test any city. Kansas City will bear the brunt, but also reap the biggest reward. How will the city and metro look different after next year? Stay tuned.