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Lawrence officials prepare for 2026 FIFA World Cup regional impacts; base-camp bid, fan events and large logistics highlighted
Summary
Explore Lawrence and local partners outlined planning steps for the Kansas City 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing an incident-command structure, cultural and fan-experience planning, a timeline for base-camp bids and potential visitor surges that would affect lodging, transportation and public safety in Lawrence and Douglas County.
Explore Lawrence and local partners told the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board that the Kansas City region’s hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will require year-round coordination and could create large, short-term visitor surges affecting lodging, transportation and public safety.
Ruth DeWitt of Explore Lawrence said Kansas City will host six matches from June 16 to July 11, 2026, and regional organizers project about $650,000,000 in direct event spending and more than 500,000 visitors to the Kansas City region during the tournament period. "A base camp will bring about 15,000 people," DeWitt said, describing how a team’s players, staff, press and entourage could concentrate in a host community.
DeWitt and Luis (a city official leading the local effort)…
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