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Kansas City Gears Up for 2026 World Cup with Fan Fest and Watch Parties
The city prepares to host thousands of soccer fans during the global tournament
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
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Kansas City is getting ready to welcome the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a massive Fan Fest at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, as well as watch parties in the suburb of Lenexa. The Fan Fest will feature giant screens, soccer fields, local food, and the capacity to host up to 25,000 people per day across multiple weeks in June and July. Meanwhile, Lenexa City Center will transform into a watch party hub with large screens, family activities, and food trucks to accommodate thousands more fans.
Why it matters
The 2026 World Cup is a major global event that is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Kansas City, which is hosting six matches during the tournament. The Fan Fest and watch parties are ways for the city and surrounding communities to capitalize on the soccer excitement and provide celebratory spaces for both locals and tourists to enjoy the world's biggest sporting event.
The details
The Fan Fest at the National World War I Museum and Memorial will be open for at least 18 days between June 11-14, June 19-21, June 24-27, July 3-5, and July 9-11. Fans will enter through a 65-foot-tall heart-shaped arch and find giant video screens, soccer fields, and local food vendors. The capacity is 25,000 people, which could lead to some days reaching capacity and requiring overflow to Union Station. Meanwhile, the suburb of Lenexa is hosting its own watch parties at Lenexa City Center, with a main stage, 10x20-foot screens, a family fun area, and local food trucks.
- The Fan Fest will be open for at least 18 days between June 11-14, June 19-21, June 24-27, July 3-5, and July 9-11.
- The Lenexa watch parties will take place on June 12, June 25, and July 11.
The players
Pam Kramer
The CEO of KC2026, the organization overseeing Kansas City's hosting of the 2026 World Cup.
Mark McFarland
The president of Pitch Lenexa, the non-profit organizing the watch parties in Lenexa.
What they’re saying
“If the stadium is FIFA's World Cup moment, Fan Fest is our World Cup moment. Really, the chance to show how Kansas City culture and Kansas City sports intersect with the passion and energy of the World Cup.”
— Pam Kramer, CEO, KC2026 (KMBC)
“Really, what we're trying to do is provide a space for residents of Lenexa and Johnson County, as well as visitors from around the state or around the states or, you know, out of the country, to have a place to assemble and watch soccer and get to know about each other's culture.”
— Mark McFarland, President, Pitch Lenexa (KMBC)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
Kansas City is embracing the 2026 World Cup as a major opportunity to showcase its culture, community, and passion for soccer, providing both locals and visitors with vibrant fan zones and watch party hubs to celebrate the global tournament.
