Kansas City World Cup 2026
BBQ capital of America hosts 6 World Cup matches at Arrowhead Stadium
🏟️ Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City MO • 👥 Capacity: 76,416 • 🎫 Matches: 6 group stage matches • ✈️ Airport: KCI (25 min by car)
🍖 Chiefs Kingdom — Now Football Kingdom
Kansas City is best known as the home of the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs and the most legendary BBQ in America — but it's also home to Sporting Kansas City, one of MLS's most passionate fan bases. Arrowhead Stadium has been named the loudest outdoor stadium in the world, and World Cup fans will discover why. KC is the great American surprise — underrated, authentic, and unforgettable.
6
WC Matches
76,416
Capacity
30°C
Avg June high
⚽ World Cup 2026 Matches at Arrowhead Stadium
| Date | Match | Time (UTC) | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-15 | Japan vs Venezuela | 18:00 UTC | Group E |
| 2026-06-18 | Poland vs Tunisia | 21:00 UTC | Group H |
| 2026-06-21 | Ecuador vs Chile | 18:00 UTC | Group J |
| 2026-06-24 | Japan vs TBD | TBD | Group E |
| 2026-06-27 | TBD vs TBD | TBD | Group Stage |
| 2026-07-03 | TBD vs TBD | TBD | Round of 32 |
🌍 Japan, Ecuador, Poland and more — diverse nations bringing their fans to the Heart of America!
🏨 Hotels & Accommodation
🚗 Note: Kansas City is car-dependent. Unless you're staying at Drury Inn next to the stadium, you'll need transport to get to matches. Country Club Plaza and downtown are the best base areas for tourism + transport access.
The Raphael Hotel
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Boutique • Country Club Plaza
📍 12 km from Arrowhead Stadium
✨ European-style boutique hotel at the Country Club Plaza — KC's best shopping & dining district.
The Fontaine
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plaza Luxury • Country Club Plaza
📍 12 km from stadium
✨ Rooftop pool with Plaza views, art-forward design. Best of Kansas City in a central location.
Loews Kansas City Hotel
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Convention • Convention District
📍 14 km from stadium
✨ Modern luxury in downtown KC. Connected to Convention Center, easy access to Power & Light District.
Marriott Kansas City Downtown
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Central • Downtown
📍 14 km from stadium
✨ Downtown base near the River Market, KC Jazz District, and Power & Light entertainment zone.
Drury Inn & Suites Kansas City Stadium
⭐⭐⭐ Closest Hotel • Truman Sports Complex
📍 1 km from Arrowhead
✨ Walking distance to the stadium. Free hot breakfast and evening snacks — best bang for your buck near the venue.
Aloft Kansas City Downtown
⭐⭐⭐ Budget-Friendly • Downtown
📍 13 km from stadium
✨ Trendy, affordable, central KC location. Near 18th & Vine Jazz District.
🎺 Top Attractions in Kansas City
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Museum / Memorial 📍 13 km from stadium
America's official WWI museum and memorial. Stunning glass bridge over a field of poppies. One of the world's best war museums.
Country Club Plaza
Shopping / Dining 📍 12 km from stadium
America's first outdoor shopping center (1922), modeled on Seville, Spain. Spanish-style architecture, fountains, top restaurants.
18th & Vine Jazz District
Music / Culture 📍 13 km from stadium
Birthplace of Kansas City Jazz. American Jazz Museum, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, live jazz clubs. Rich African-American history.
Boulevard Brewing Company
Craft Beer 📍 12 km from stadium
Kansas City's iconic craft brewery. Tours and tastings of their famous Boulevard Wheat and Unfiltered Wheat beers. Book ahead.
The River Market
Local Market 📍 14 km from stadium
KC's historic River Market neighborhood with Farmers Market, international grocery stores, great restaurants, and riverfront views.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Museum 📍 12 km from stadium
World-class free art museum with iconic shuttlecocks sculptures on the lawn. Exceptional American painting and photography collections.
Power & Light District
Entertainment 📍 14 km from stadium
Downtown KC's entertainment hub. Bars, restaurants, live music, and the city's main nightlife area. Packed on game days.
Arrowhead Stadium Tour
Stadium Experience 📍 Truman Sports Complex
Home of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs (back-to-back Super Bowl champions). Stadium tours on non-match days.
🚘 Getting to Arrowhead Stadium
1. Uber/Lyft Rideshare
⏱️ 15-25 mins from downtown/Plaza • 💰 $20-40
Primary transport option — Kansas City has limited public transit. Uber/Lyft is the most practical match-day solution.
2. Official Event Shuttles
⏱️ 20-30 mins from downtown pickup • 💰 $15-20 round trip
Official World Cup match-day shuttles from Union Station, Power & Light District, and Country Club Plaza. Check FIFA/KC2026 for schedule.
3. Parking (Pre-booked)
⏱️ Varies • 💰 $30-50
Extensive parking at the Truman Sports Complex (Arrowhead + Kauffman Stadium parking lots). Pre-book via ParkWhiz or venue site.
4. From KCI Airport (Kansas City International)
⏱️ 25-35 mins from KCI to downtown • 💰 $30-45 Uber
KCI reopened with a stunning new terminal in 2023. Rideshare from airport to downtown, then shuttle to stadium.
5. Cycling (BikeWalk KC)
⏱️ 45-60 mins from downtown • 💰 Free or bike rental ~$15
For the adventurous — Kansas City has developed its BikeSmart network. Not ideal on match days due to traffic.
⚠️ Transit Warning: Kansas City has limited public transit — unlike most other US host cities, you'll rely heavily on rideshare, shuttles, or parking. Budget for higher transportation costs and use official event shuttles when available.
💰 Daily Budget (Kansas City)
Budget Trip
Mid-Range
Luxury
💡 Kansas City is one of the most affordable host cities in the tournament — excellent value for money!
📋 Pro Tips for Kansas City
- BBQ is non-negotiable: Joe's Kansas City (Gas Station BBQ), Q39, or Gates BBQ — Kansas City-style BBQ is America's finest. Do it.
- Rent a car or use Uber: KC is not walkable between sites — plan for transport costs higher than most host cities
- Pre-book shuttle bus: Official event shuttles from downtown/Plaza are the easiest match-day option — check FIFA 2026 KC schedule
- 18th & Vine: The jazz district is an essential KC cultural experience — live jazz, American Jazz Museum, and great food
- WWI Museum: Surprisingly, one of America's best museums. Not just for history buffs — the glass floor over poppies is extraordinary
- Arrowhead noise: Set your eardrum expectations — Chiefs fans at Arrowhead set world records for crowd noise. World Cup fans will love it
- Country Club Plaza: Evening dining and cocktails at the Plaza — the most beautiful part of Kansas City
- New KCI terminal: Kansas City International's new terminal (2023) is one of the nicest new airports in the US — smooth arrival experience