FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
– A Regional First, KC2026 Debuts Playbooks, New Opportunities for Businesses and Communities Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026™
KC Game Plan and Community Activation Digital Playbooks will be available in English and Spanish
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Dec. 19, 2025) – KC2026, the local organizing committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Kansas City, announced the debut of first-of-their-kind public resource playbooks and the launch of a new application portal for vendors at the FIFA Fan Festival™. These data-driven tools are designed to help small businesses, entrepreneurs and communities prepare for and directly participate in the largest sporting event ever hosted in the Kansas City region. By providing clear guidance and access to opportunities, these new tools will help local businesses maximize the economic and cultural impact of the once-in-a-generation tournament. Resource toolkits for hosting a mega event on the scale of the FIFA World Cup™ have not existed in the Kansas City region, until now.
The initiatives are a key part of KC2026’s strategy to equip business and civic communities with tools to prepare for the more than 650,000 visitors expected during Kansas City’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches and the expected $653 million in regional economic impact (Destinations International Event Impact Calculator assumes 6 matches hosted; 3.2 persons per room; $299 avg hotel rate; 80% of overnight attendees arriving by air).
The announced resources include:
- KC Game Plan Playbook: A comprehensive playbook to aid local small businesses and entrepreneurs. The KC Game Plan Playbook empowers business owners with insights, tools and connections to make informed decisions and take smart action. KC2026 will add visitor insights, hospitality training resources and predictive visitor heatmaps to the playbook starting in January 2026.
- Community Activation Playbook: Designed for everyone from city officials and civic organizations to small businesses, cultural groups, schools and volunteers. The Community Activation Playbook is a guide for creating a safe, welcoming and distinctly Kansas City experience while celebrating with local fans and visitors from around the world. The digital playbook includes resources to understand Kansas City’s Host City role and key events, FIFA™ guidelines and requirements, and ideas for celebrations, decor and activations.
- FIFA Fan Festival™ Vendor Applications: The online application window is now open for food and beverage vendors who wish to operate at the FIFA Fan Festival™ at the National WWI Museum and Memorial during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Kansas City. This offers a direct opportunity for local food and beverage entrepreneurs to serve tens of thousands of attendees. Vendors in the Kansas City region are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to vendors equipped for success in an outdoor festival environment with up to 65,000 in daily attendance. KC2026 will review applications and FIFA will approve menu items. Applications will remain open until February 11, 2026.
“Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 is a once-in-a-generation chance to show the world what makes the Kansas City region so special,” said Tracy Whelpley, director of regional impact for KC2026. “Our community is deeply rooted in sports, driven by innovation and rising with unstoppable momentum. With these first-of-their-kind resources, we are making sure local businesses and communities are equipped to welcome thousands of visitors and create positive impacts that extend well beyond the matches and into the future.”
The playbooks will be available for download in English and Spanish at kansascityfwc26.com. For more news and additional media assets, please visit the KC2026 Media Hub.
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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, JE Dunn Construction, Purina PetCare, Populous and The University of Kansas Health System. 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 who are helping bring the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to life in Kansas City. Learn more at KansasCityFWC26.com.
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.
About FIFA World Cup 2026™
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, 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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