Kansas City Prepares for Influx of World Cup Fans

Local healthcare systems brace for unprecedented medical challenge during 8 matches over 4 months

Jan. 30, 2026 at 9:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

More than 600,000 international fans are expected to attend 8 World Cup matches in Kansas City over 4 months, creating a major medical challenge for the local healthcare systems. The University of Kansas Health System is leading preparations to provide medical services at every match, base camp, and Fan Fest location, while ensuring local patients continue receiving care.

Why it matters

This is the first time Kansas City has hosted an event of this scale, with such a large influx of international visitors. The medical planning effort is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of both the World Cup attendees and the local community.

The details

The University of Kansas Health System is leading the medical planning effort, with 20,000 staff members plus regional partners involved. They have been training for over a year, running table-top exercises and full-scale drills at Arrowhead Stadium. The medical plan will be finalized once team base camps are announced and translation service needs are determined. Healthcare officials also plan to help international fans understand the U.S. healthcare system and when to seek urgent care versus emergency department services.

  • The medical planning effort has been underway for over a year and a half.
  • Full-scale drills at Arrowhead Stadium will be taking place soon.
  • The 8 World Cup matches in Kansas City will take place over 4 months.

The players

University of Kansas Health System

The leading healthcare system in Kansas City that is coordinating the medical planning effort for the World Cup matches.

Dr. Bryan Beaver

The doctor leading the medical planning effort for the University of Kansas Health System.

Laura McCarthy

The vice president of public and community relations at the University of Kansas Health System.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is a super exciting challenge. We love dynamic situations and planning for those and how to mitigate risk and things. So this is exactly what I love to do.”

— Dr. Bryan Beaver, Doctor leading medical planning effort (KCTV5)

“This is a first for Kansas City in terms of the length of this event and the number of people that we have coming. But when it comes to hospitals and collaboration, COVID was actually a pretty good example of there was an enormous need for health care.”

— Laura McCarthy, Vice President of Public and Community Relations (KCTV5)

What’s next

The medical plan will be finalized once team base camps are announced and translation service needs are determined.

The takeaway

Kansas City's healthcare systems are proactively preparing for the unprecedented medical challenge of hosting over 600,000 international World Cup fans over 4 months. This collaborative effort demonstrates the city's ability to handle large-scale events and ensure the safety of both visitors and local residents.