Kansas City Braces for FIFA World Cup Visitor Surge
Ready or not, the world is coming to Kansas City this summer. Arrowhead Stadium will be one of the North American sites for soccer’s FIFA World Cup, which Fox News said is comparable to playing 104 Super Bowls in one month.
Finding places to house all of the expected visitors will be a challenge. Tourism officials estimate hundreds of thousands of visitors could pass through the metro during the tournament, while the city has roughly 36,000 hotel rooms. Some rooms are under contract with FIFA and unavailable to the general public, adding pressure to an already competitive lodging market. Local reports show hotel occupancy rates spiking well ahead of previous major events, with KCTV noting that rooms across the metro are filling fast as early bookings surge. “Now that hotel rooms are starting to book out those rooms for the World Cup next summer, things are booking up very quickly,” said Makenzie Wolters with Visit KC.
Short-term rental markets are also frenzied, with listings skyrocketing in price and availability. According to The Kansas City Star, some Airbnbs in the area have reached astronomical nightly rates, raising concerns about affordability even as demand explodes.
This demand is pushing some locals to take unusual steps. Adam Kinner, a short-term rental host who owns multiple properties in the Kansas City area, said he plans to even rent out his own home during the World Cup and move in with his parents. “I will actually be moving back into my parents’ basement,” he told Fox. “The opportunity is just so large here that it would be silly not to take advantage of it.”
Across the region, property managers are fielding inquiries from everyday homeowners curious about hosting. Heather Autry, a short-term rental property manager in Johnson County, said she’s been swamped with meetings. “I’ve talked to so many folks who never even considered renting before — now they want to know what to do,” she told KSHB.
Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission, said the city has been preparing for the World Cup for years. “The energy, the excitement, the anticipation is unbelievable,” she said. “Everyone’s about to show up on our doorstep.”
City leaders have even adjusted local laws to help meet demand. Kansas City recently updated its short-term rental rules so residents can more easily host visitors during major events like the World Cup. “By making it easier to open our homes during the World Cup, we’re creating opportunities for our community to benefit,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw.
Kansas City is one of the smallest host cities in the World Cup lineup, alongside major destinations such as New York, Los Angeles and Miami, but officials are confident visitors will spread out across the region to find places to stay.
A 45-room boutique hotel called River Market Hotel is set to open this spring, just weeks before matches begin. The hotel’s managing member, Mike Heitman, said the timing adds pressure but also opportunity. “It’s exciting and scary at the same time,” he said. “There’s a good chance we will have been open by just a week or two.”
Local restaurant and business owners are likewise preparing for the surge. “I think Kansas City doesn’t understand how big it’s going to be for them to come here,” said Matthew Hill, owner of AJ’s in downtown Kansas City. “All of our teams are going to be working double time.”
The World Cup is expected to provide significant evangelism opportunities, with various initiatives and outreaches being planned by groups such as Sports Events Evangelism, Victory Beyond the Cup and Mission Cup. These efforts aim to reach out to millions of fans and players by providing a platform to share the gospel and build connections.
More information is available at Home – FIFA World Cup 26™ Kansas City.
–Alan Goforth
