Kansas City Restaurants Prepare for World Cup Influx

Visit KC hosting cultural awareness training for hospitality workers ahead of global event

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:10am

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As Kansas City prepares to host several World Cup matches this summer, local restaurants and bars are working to get ready for an influx of hundreds of thousands of international visitors. Visit KC is offering free training sessions in April and May to help hospitality workers understand cultural differences and provide a warm welcome to fans from around the world.

Why it matters

The World Cup's arrival in Kansas City represents a major economic opportunity, but also poses challenges for local businesses as they navigate language barriers, diverse dietary needs, and cultural expectations of visitors. How well restaurants and bars adapt could shape Kansas City's global reputation for years to come.

The details

Visit KC estimates that 650,000 tourists will pass through the city during the month-long World Cup event. To help prepare, the organization is hosting a series of Culture and Hospitality Training Sessions led by the Protocol School of Washington. The trainings will cover topics like cultural awareness, successful interactions with international guests, and hands-on skills for serving diverse clientele. Mollie Lothman, owner of McLain's Bakery, is among the more than 180 people already signed up for the first session on April 7. Lothman is also working to update her restaurant's menus with more pictures to overcome language barriers.

  • The World Cup will take place in June and July 2026.
  • Visit KC's Culture and Hospitality Training Sessions will be held on April 7, April 14/16/21 (virtual), and May 13 (in-person).

The players

Visit KC

The official destination marketing organization for Kansas City, Missouri, working to promote the city and prepare local businesses for the influx of World Cup visitors.

Mollie Lothman

Owner of McLain's Bakery, a local restaurant in Kansas City that is participating in Visit KC's training sessions to get her staff ready for the World Cup crowds.

Makenzie Wolters

A representative from Visit KC who is overseeing the organization's Culture and Hospitality Training Sessions for hospitality workers.

Protocol School of Washington

A global hospitality expert organization that will be leading the training sessions hosted by Visit KC.

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What they’re saying

“It's enormous. It's huge. It really can change a small business like ours.”

— Mollie Lothman, Owner, McLain's Bakery

“We really want to make sure that our hospitality workers, whether they're in a hotel or restaurant, a tour group, that they understand all of the diverse communities, the diverse cultural traditions, and the expectations that these travelers have.”

— Makenzie Wolters, Representative, Visit KC

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

How well Kansas City's restaurants and bars welcome and accommodate the influx of international visitors for the World Cup could have a lasting impact on the city's global reputation and its ability to attract future tourism.