KC2026 briefed budget committee on World Cup plans: transport, security and funding

Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026, told the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee that Kansas City is less than four months away from hosting group-stage FIFA World Cup matches and that planning now focuses on people, not just games. "We're not just hosting these matches, we're hosting people," Kramer said, emphasizing sustained regional benefits and long-term economic impact.

Kramer outlined the guest and operations picture: Argentina, the Netherlands and England have chosen Kansas City regional training sites; Argentina will base at the Compass Minerals training facility and is expected to arrive roughly five days before its first match. KC2026 said the city will host four group-stage matches and could host a quarterfinal on July 11 if certain teams advance, raising peak demand for transport, hotels and public safety.

On transit, Kramer described Connect KC26 — a tournament-specific plan layered on existing services (KCATA, Johnson County, Unified Government, Lawrence). The program will add roughly 223 buses across 22 routes over 33 days, with 15 additional daily routes to the FIFA Fan Festival and four match‑day park‑and‑ride locations. Kramer said fare structures are not finalized but will…