KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Chiefs, Royals and Sporting KC are uniting as Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters this summer.
The partnership, announced by KC2026, brings together three of the region’s most iconic franchises to showcase Kansas City’s sports culture, civic pride and hospitality on a global stage – while honoring the legacy of pioneers who helped shape American sports.
Sporting KC: The Soccer Capital Connection
Sporting KC has been part of Kansas City’s World Cup push since the beginning.
“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.”
Sporting will host two Team Base Camp training sites this summer: No. 3-ranked Argentina at Compass Minerals National Performance Center and No. 4-ranked England at Swope Soccer Village.
The team is also inviting fans to Sporting Park for the free Soccer Capital Summer series – a lineup of watch parties, concerts and special events throughout the tournament.
Royals: Carrying Kauffman’s Vision Forward
The Kansas City Royals are tying their World Cup involvement to the founding mission of the franchise.
“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.”
To support the partnership, KC2026 says it is adding Kauffman Stadium as a stop on the ConnectKC26 shuttle route.
The organization notes that the service runs from June 11 through July 13, connecting fans from the FIFA Fan Festival bus mall and the Independence Center Region Direct stop to the ballpark.
KC2026 adds that shuttles will run every 20 minutes, starting 2 hours before game time and ending 1 hour after the final out. Passes are now available HERE.
Chiefs: Lamar Hunt’s Legacy, Realized
For the Kansas City Chiefs, the World Cup represents the fulfillment of a vision their founder never stopped believing in.
“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 is set to host 6 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, including a quarterfinal, drawing fans from around the globe to Kansas City.
KC2026: A City Built for This Moment
KC2026 CEo Pam Kramer says the three-franchise partnership reflects exactly why Kansas City earned its spot on the world stage.
“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.”
The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off this summer. Kansas City’s matches run from June 11 through July 13.
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