FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Through connection and celebration, Hallmark will help the region show hospitality and heart
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Feb. 25, 2026) — KC2026 is proud to announce a partnership with Kansas City-based Hallmark as an Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter. Drawing on more than a century of inspiring connection and celebration, Hallmark’s support will help the Kansas City region deliver a distinctive, welcoming experience for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ while creating sustained impact.
“The World Cup coming to Kansas City is more than a sporting event, it’s a moment to celebrate community and shared experiences,” said Mike Perry, President & CEO of Hallmark Cards, Inc. “At Hallmark, connection is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re excited to participate not just as a company, but through the combined strength of a business portfolio including Crown Center and Crayola. Together, we look forward to helping Kansas City shine on the world stage while creating opportunities for families and fans to feel part of something meaningful.”
Hallmark’s investment in the Host City efforts extends its deep-rooted civic engagement and support. This collaboration allows Hallmark to champion Kansas City’s innovation on the global stage, further reinforcing its role as a leader in the region. Family-owned Hallmark has been at the heart of Kansas City for more than a century with a mission centered on creating moments of connection and creativity.
“Hallmark is synonymous with the heart and hospitality of our region. Their expertise in fostering global connection and their deep roots in our community will help bring to life the way Kansas City welcomes people, and makes them feel like they belong,” said Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026.
Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters are key civic and brand partners that are helping bring FIFA World Cup 2026™ to life 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.
Hallmark joins the existing Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters: global engineering firm Black & Veatch, 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 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 that are helping bring the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to life in Kansas City. Learn more at KansasCityFWC26.com.
About Hallmark
For more than 100 years, family-owned Hallmark Cards, Inc. has been dedicated to creating a more emotionally connected world. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and employing more than 20,000 worldwide, the company operates a diversified portfolio of businesses. The Hallmark business designs and sells greeting cards, gifts, ornaments and gift packaging in more than 30 languages with distribution in nearly 100 countries and 100,000 rooftops worldwide, including a network of company-owned and independently owned Hallmark Gold Crown stores in five countries. Hallmark Media is entertainment’s leading destination for feel-good content and operates three cable networks – Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery, and Hallmark Family. The streaming service and membership program, Hallmark+, delivers the very best of Hallmark all in one place, featuring a blend of all new, exclusive original series, movies, and other feel-good content plus monthly discounts and rewards for shopping at Hallmark retail stores and at Hallmark.com. Crown Center is a real estate development company that manages the 85-acre hotel, office, entertainment and residential campus surrounding Hallmark’s headquarters. Crayola® offers a wide range of art materials and creative play toys designed to spark children’s creativity around the globe. For more information, visit Hallmark.com. Connect on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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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