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Kansas City Small Business Guide to the Big Soccer Tournament

Big crowds are coming. Here's how to be ready.

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Dates to Know

High-Traffic Areas

Business Impact

Dates to Know

While Kansas City will host six matches, the momentum will build well before kickoff and extend beyond the final local game. Here's every important date your business needs to know to plan for soccer's biggest tournament.

Kansas City Matches & Events

June 11

FIFA Fan Festival™ Opens

Basecamp Arrivals*

June

Netherlands will arrive at the KC Current Training Facility a few days ahead of their game on 06/141

June

Argentina will arrive at Compass Minerals a few days ahead of their game on 06/16; Algeria will arrive at their KU basecamp a few days ahead of the same game on 06/162

June

England will arrive at Swope Soccer Village a few days ahead of their game on 06/173

*Final Dates TBD

June 16

Argentina vs. Algeria

June 20

Ecuador vs. Curacao

June 25

Tunisia vs. Netherlands

June 27

Algeria vs. Austria

July 3

Round of 32

July 11

Quarterfinal

FIFA Fan Festival™ at the National Museum and Memorial4

This event is open for every match played across North America — not just KC games.

  • June 11-14
  • June 16
  • June 19-21
  • June 24-27
  • July 3-5
  • July 9-11

If your business is anywhere near downtown, Crown Center, Crossroads, Midtown, or along the streetcar route, this will be a steady driver of daily foot traffic.

High-Traffic Areas

Every part of the metro will feel some impact, but a few areas will likely feel it more than others.

Arrowhead Stadium

Match days will bring heavy vehicle and shuttle traffic to the area. Businesses along major routes may benefit from early arrivals and post-match crowds looking for food, fuel, or a place to celebrate (or soothe their sorrows). Depending on the time and day, and location of your business, a 10-15 minute traffic delay in key areas surrounding the stadium is to be expected.

Downtown & Midtown Neighborhoods

There will be several FIFA Fan Festival™ events taking place at the National WWI Museum and Memorial throughout June and July, and they're expecting a massive turnout. Businesses extending into the Crossroads, the Westside Neighborhood, Power & Light, and even down to Quality Hill and Midtown, should be prepared for extended hours, higher walk-in volume, and more international guests than usual.

Basecamp Communities6

Hosting four teams brings global attention, and fans tend to follow. While base camps are not generally open to the public, teams often hold media events or limited fan access sessions. Businesses near these facilities should remain flexible and prepared for short-notice traffic spikes.

Algeria Basecamp

University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS

Just 40 minutes or so west of Kansas City, Lawrence's vibrant downtown and college-town feel is sure to draw people in, and leave a lasting impression.

Argentina Basecamp

Compass Minerals National Performance Center in Kansas City, KS (Legends)

With the Tanger Kansas City at Legends outlet mall, several hotels, and various attractions just minutes away, the Legends area makes a great place for visiting fans to call their own basecamp.

England Basecamp

Swope Soccer Village in Swope Park, Kansas City, MO

While this area is less business-dense, neighboring areas like the Plaza, Brookside, Waldo, and even downtown, may see an uptick in visitors.

Netherlands Basecamp

Kansas City Current Training Facility in Riverside, MO

Just north of downtown, near Briarcliff and riverfront attractions, this area may see incremental traffic from traveling fans.

Make the Most of Transportation Hubs7

Expanded bus routes and park-and-ride hubs will move spectators between the stadium, downtown, and surrounding neighborhoods. With a few small adjustments, you could turn pass-through traffic into paying customers quickly.

If you're near a transit stop, consider:

  • Clear exterior signage
  • Prominent posted hours
  • Parking clarity
  • Bathroom access planning
  • "Park & Ride" lunch or retail specials

How Different Businesses May Be Impacted

No two businesses will experience the tournament the same way, but preparation creates options. And preparation doesn't need to be complicated.

Be easy to find

  • Update Google Business Profile and Apple Maps
  • Make sure Yelp listings are current
  • Confirm website hours, menus, and contact info

Be easy to pay.

International visitors are far more likely to use credit cards, tap-to-pay, and mobile wallets. If your payment setup hasn't been evaluated recently, now's the time.

Be operationally ready.

  • Assess staffing plans
  • Consider restroom capacity
  • Review parking flow
  • Plan for peak-day inventory

A little preparation now can prevent a lot of stress later.

Hotels & Rentals

We've done some digging. There's a pretty clear pattern to hotel search spikes leading up to major sporting events, and what we've found indicates search interest is likely to ramp up in late May and early June, with steady occupancy through mid-July. Especially in hotels in the downtown area.

Pro Tip: Digital readiness — photos, amenities, updated booking platforms — will matter just as much as physical readiness. Don't miss your chance to put your best (digital) foot forward.

Restaurants

In this industry, layered demand is likely:

  • Sports bars busy for nearly every match
  • Downtown restaurants seeing FIFA Fan Festival™ spillover
  • Hotel-dense areas experiencing consistent meal traffic
  • Transit-adjacent spots benefiting from park-and-ride flow

Pro Tip: Consider extended hours, limited-time menu items, or quick-serve options for fans on tight schedules.

Retail

While it's hard to predict the ebbs and flows of retail traffic, non-match days are a safe bet for exploring visitors. They're looking to make some additional memories and grab items to commemorate them.