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KC2026 organizers outline fan fest, security costs and volunteer plans; federal security funds pending NOFO
Summary
KC2026 chief operating officer updated the committee on match schedule, volunteer recruitment, transportation layers and expectations for federal security aid; federal notice of funding opportunity for World Cup security grants expected in October and KC officials estimate Kansas city allocation in the ~$50 million range but said final allocation
Lindsay Douglas, chief operating officer of KC 2026, told the Legislative Budget Committee that Kansas City will host six matches during the 2026 World Cup and will stage a FIFA FanFest on the Liberty Memorial lawn with an anticipated peak on-site capacity of about 25,000 people.
Douglas described preparations for fan engagement, volunteer recruitment, transportation layering and safety-and-security planning. KC 2026 said it is coordinating a multi-jurisdiction safety and security framework with local, state and federal partners; public-safety planning covers base camps, FanFest and activities outside the stadium, and Kansas City officials reported regular coordination with the White House task force on safety and security.
On transportation, Douglas said the region will layer an event-specific transit system on top of existing public transit to move visitors from airports, fan areas and host venues, and said the plan includes partnerships with local jurisdictions to expand capacity for peak days. KC 2026 also outlined economic goals, including a projected direct-event economic impact of about $653 million tied to the six matches in the region and a strategy called "KC House" to host visiting executives and business delegations for trade and attraction opportunities.
Douglas said KC 2026 has collected nearly 2,000 small-business expressions of interest to participate in event-related procurement opportunities. She said base camp facilities and training sites in Kansas City — Compass Minerals (KCK), Sporting KC’s training site and Rock Chalk Park (Lawrence) — have attracted interest from national teams touring potential base camp locations; FIFA assigns base camps following the final tournament draw.
Douglas confirmed an anticipated allocation from the federal OBBA security appropriation but said the federal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) defining exact allocations would be released in October; KC 2026’s early estimate of the Kansas City portion from the $625 million federal security pot is in the roughly $50 million range but she cautioned that the exact award per host city is subject to the NOFO and federal validation. Douglas said Kansas State funds already awarded to KC 2026 and a state grant agreement with the Kansas Department of Commerce will be reallocated depending on the federal award to avoid duplication.
Why this matters: Kansas City is one of 11 U.S. host cities for the 2026 World Cup. The event will create a short-term surge in visitors and demand on public safety, transportation and hospitality systems; organizers said federal security funds from OBBA are essential to deliver planned multi‑day FanFest activities and a robust safety plan.
Ending: Douglas asked local jurisdictions and agencies to continue coordinating on ingress/egress routes, volunteer mobilization and small-business opportunities; KC 2026 said it will provide updates once the federal NOFO is released and as the FIFA draw (Dec. 5) and base-camp assignments (January) are finalized.
