KC 2026 host committee outlines security, transportation and visitor plans ahead of World Cup matches in Kansas City

Lindsay Douglas, a KC 2026 host committee representative, told the Kansas House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee on Nov. 1 that "the largest sporting event in the world is gonna start in 489 days" and outlined preparations for six World Cup matches the Kansas City region will host in summer 2026.

Douglas told legislators the tournament will run from June 11 through July 19, 2026, and that the Kansas City area expects to be active for about 26 days of the competition. She said FIFA will feature 48 teams and 108 matches in the expanded tournament and that Kansas City has three facilities listed in FIFA’s base camp booklet: the Kansas City Current training facilities, Sporting Kansas City training facilities, and Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence.

Douglas said KC 2026 projects about 650,000 visitors to the region and a modeled direct economic impact of roughly $653 million. She described efforts to turn the event into a longer-term economic opportunity by showcasing regional industries such as agriculture, animal health and aviation to international business visitors.

The presentation stressed safety and security planning as KC 2026’s largest budget item. Douglas said the event currently carries a Department of Homeland Security SEER-2 rating, which opens federal resources and coordination. "We have a coordinator who's actually based in the Secret Service," she said, and added that the host…