FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Teams join a key group of supporters helping Kansas City welcome soccer fans
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 22, 2026) — With the world’s biggest sporting event on the horizon, Kansas City’s hometown teams are coming together to help welcome the world. KC2026 today announced the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting Kansas City as Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters, uniting three of the region’s most iconic franchises behind efforts to showcase Kansas City’s unmatched sports culture, civic pride and hospitality on a global stage — while honoring the legacy of pioneers who helped shape sports in America.
“We have been a driving force in the planning for FIFA World Cup 2026™ since 2017 when Kansas City was first preparing the bid,” said Jake Reid, President and CEO of Sporting Kansas City and the Vice President of the KC2026 Board of Directors. “Now that the moment is here, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with KC2026 to show the world why we are the Soccer Capital of America.”
In addition to hosting two Team Base Camp training sites, with No. 3 ranked Argentina at Compass Minerals National Performance Center and No. 4 ranked England at Swope Soccer Village, Sporting Kansas City invites fans to visit Sporting Park this summer to participate in the free Soccer Capital Summer series. This series of curated special events and experiences is highlighted by watch parties, concerts and more during the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
“We believe that sports have the power to unite people, and hosting the FIFA World Cup™ in Kansas City is the perfect chance to share how Kansas City celebrates sports in our region,” said Cullen Maxey, President of Business Operations for the Kansas City Royals. “Partnering with KC2026 is a top priority for our team because it helps fulfill Ewing Kauffman’s founding goal for the Royals, to be the city’s greatest supporter and a leader in making Kansas City a world-class sports destination.”
In support of this partnership with the Kansas City Royals, KC2026 will add a stop to the ConnectKC26 shuttle route that will drop fans off at Kauffman Stadium. This service will run June 11 through July 13, 2026, from the bus mall by FIFA Fan Festival™ Kansas City and the Independence Center Region Direct stop. The route will run every 20 minutes, starting two hours before game time and ending one hour after the game concludes. Fans can plan their trip now for this summer’s games by purchasing passes on KC2026.com.
“Kansas City has long been one of the great sports cities in the world, and FIFA World Cup 2026™ will give us the opportunity to share that spirit on a global stage,” said Mark Donovan, President of the Kansas City Chiefs. “This moment is especially significant because it reflects the vision our founder, Lamar Hunt, believed from the very beginning – that Kansas City belongs on the world stage and a stadium like Arrowhead could help put the region on the map as a sports and entertainment destination. We are proud to support KC2026 and help showcase the passion, hospitality and championship culture that make our city such a special place. When FIFA fans enter our stadium for the first match, it will mark the culmination of years of work by many, but it will also reinforce what Lamar knew years ago – that Kansas City, and Arrowhead, would be ready for this moment.”
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium will host six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, including a quarterfinal match, bringing fans from around the globe to the region. The partnership also reflects the lasting legacy of Lamar Hunt, whose vision helped shape both professional football and the growth of soccer in the United States, while establishing Kansas City as one of the country’s premier sports cities.
“An important reason Kansas City was selected as a host city is our deeply rooted sports culture and the passion of our fans,” said Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026. “The Chiefs, Royals and Sporting KC are globally recognized organizations that represent the pride, energy and community spirit of our region. We are especially grateful to Clark Hunt, John Sherman and Cliff Illig for their longstanding support of Kansas City’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ efforts and for the leadership they continue to provide through their organizations. Their partnerships with KC2026 strengthen our ability to create unforgettable experiences for visitors and showcase Kansas City as one of the great sports cities in the world.”
Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters are key partners for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Kansas City. Their support reflects the unity of the Kansas City region and reinforces the goal of delivering a globally visible, locally rooted tournament experience that drives long-term regional impact.
The Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting Kansas City join the existing Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters: global engineering firm Black & Veatch, the largest and oldest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States Hallmark, national general contracting firm JE Dunn Construction, global design firm Populous and Nestlé Purina PetCare. The University of Kansas Health System serves as the Official Medical Services Provider for the Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City, supporting medical care and planning for fans during the tournament.
For more information about Host City Supporters and the FIFA World Cup 2026™, visit kansascityfwc26.com and follow KC2026 on Instagram.
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About KC2026
A nonprofit organization overseeing strategy and delivering Host City duties for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, KC2026 will plan, construct and implement all aspects of Kansas City’s largest sports and fan engagement event in the region’s history.
KC2026 planning efforts are supported by its Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters: Black & Veatch, Hallmark, JE Dunn Construction, Purina PetCare, Populous, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting Kansas City. These global and regional companies are leaders in their respective industries and represent key sectors of KC’s economy. Host City Supporters are civic and brand partners that are helping bring the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to life in Kansas City. Learn more at KansasCityFWC26.com.
About the Kansas City Chiefs
Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt in 1960, the Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most successful and storied franchises in professional sports. A charter member of the American Football League, the organization relocated from Dallas to Kansas City in 1963. The Chiefs have earned four Super Bowl championships, including three in the last seven years, while continuing to shape the future of the game on- and off-the-field.
Deeply rooted in Kansas City, the Chiefs proudly represent a passionate, six-state fan base known as Chiefs Kingdom, spanning Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Under the ownership of the Hunt Family and leadership of Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, the organization is guided by four core values: Win with Character, Unite Our Community, Inspire Our Fans, and Honor Tradition.
Driven by the Hunt Family’s longstanding commitment to the community, the Chiefs and the Hunt Family Foundation support initiatives that strengthen families, expand opportunities for youth, and uplift communities across the region, reinforcing a legacy of service that has been central to the franchise’s identity for decades.
About the Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a championship-driven organization that believes in being the best on and off the field. Founded in 1969, the Kansas City Royals have grown into an international brand that scouts and develops talent worldwide with one clear goal—competing consistently for championships.
Rooted in Kansas City, Missouri, the Royals are equally committed to strengthening the community they call home. Through programs that support youth literacy, promote healthy lifestyles, and honor and assist veterans, the Royals are committed to building a stronger future for fans and neighbors across the Kansas City region.
With a focus on championship baseball, a family-friendly atmosphere, and positive community impact, the Kansas City Royals remain a steadfast leader in professional baseball.
About Sporting KC
Sporting Kansas City is a founding club of Major League Soccer and a driving force behind Kansas City’s identity as the Soccer Capital of America®. Sporting KC has helped shape the growth of the sport in the region through championship success, unrivaled facilities, world-class fan experiences, and a deep commitment to community.
Kansas City is central to the club’s identity and continued evolution. Through Sporting Park, youth development initiatives, major events and investment in soccer infrastructure, Sporting KC has helped elevate Kansas City’s profile as a destination for the sport and a place where soccer is woven into the fabric of the community.
Two-time MLS Cup champions and four-time Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champions, Sporting KC continues to help showcase Kansas City on the global stage as a proud Host City Supporter of KC2026.
About Greater Kansas City
Home to 2.5 million people, Kansas City is a vibrant metro in the heart of the U.S., known as the “KC Heartland.” An all-new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport welcomes guests by air, while 85% of the U.S. is less than a two-day drive away. The region’s red-hot sports culture is embraced every season, headlined by the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Kansas City Current.
Kansas City, home to renowned arts and culture, offers live entertainment in the downtown Power & Light District, as well as 40 jazz clubs throughout the area. Find food from James Beard Award-winning chefs and sample true KC tradition at more than 100 barbecue restaurants across the metro. Dive into some of the country’s most significant historical moments at KC’s treasured institutions, from the National WWI Museum and Memorial and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum. Learn more at KC.org.
About The FIFA World Cup 2026™
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the biggest sporting event ever, with three Host Countries, 16 Host Cities, 48 teams and 104 matches uniting an entire continent to showcase a momentous new tournament format. With more countries, cities, teams and games, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the most inclusive tournament ever, engaging millions of fans across 16 unique stadiums and billions worldwide. The tournament will take place in June and July 2026. For the latest FIFA World Cup 2026™ information, please visit the FIFA World Cup 2026™ website. For media representatives wishing to stay up to date on all things 2026, please register via the FIFA Media Hub.
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