KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - KC2026 announced new information about FIFA Fan Fest, the free festival that will take place around World Cup matches in Kansas City.
The Kansas City experience will be open at least 18 days in June and July. It will also allow fans to experience soccer on days when the U.S. Men’s National Team takes the pitch.
FIFA FAN FESTIVAL
Populous is responsible for designing Fan Festival in Kansas City. It will be located at the World War I Museum and Memorial.
Fan Fest will include live watch parties for World Cup matches. There will also be performances across two stages and massive video boards.
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Visitors will have multiple photo ops, including a 65-foot-tall heart-shaped entrance. It symbolizes Kansas City’s heart and prominence in the Heartland.
There will be celebrity experiences and VIP watch parties available. Fans will want to checkout the merch, trophy displays, skill challenges, mini pitches and other games and competitions available.
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The event will take place in summer so Fan Fest will also provide cooling stations and fan walls to help visitors manage the heat.
THEMED WEEKS
Each week of the free festival will feature its own theme.
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- June 11-14, 16
- Heartland Hello
- Kansas City welcomes the world as FIFA Fan Fest opens. Visitors will find both local and globally-recognized food and traditions.
- June 19-21
- Sports Town USA
- Kansas City lives for its internationally-known sports franchises. Fans attending Fan Fest will experience what it means to be part of Chiefs Kingdom, scream “KC Baby!”, cheer for the Boys in Blue, and join the Cauldron.
- June 24-27
- The World’s Game
- From the Heartland to the global stage, visitors will learn how soccer excitement is shared across the globe.
- July 3-5
- The U.S. turns 250 and Fan Fest will join in the celebration. KC2026 invites fans from across the globe to celebrate the history of the country.
- July 9-11
- KC Creates
- Kansas City is constantly evolving, according to KC2026. This week is dedicated to local artists, musicians, designers and innovators. Visitors will also see how global influences help make Kansas City what it is today.
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KC2026 provided calendars to help visitors decide which week they want to attend.
Fans and residents interested in attending Fan Fest can register online to get updates on entertainment, operating hours and other details. Fan Fest is free, but complementary tickets or registration will be required. Additional information on how to get tickets will be provided in the near future.
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The ConnectKC2026 shuttle will drop off and pick up fans from Fan Fest and take them to other locations and events across the metro during the tournament.
VOLUNTEERS SELECTED
About 65,000 volunteers will help at World Cup events around the country. More than a million people applied for volunteer positions, making selection chances about 6 percent.
Michael McWilliams, who has lived in Kansas City for most of his life, received his volunteer role offer letter last Friday. His role will be accreditation.
“Kansas City is a really special place. It always has been. We offer that midwestern hospitality. People here are very nice. Every time there is a big event here, visitors come away feeling very good about Kansas City and the people who live here,” McWilliams said.
McWilliams worked in hospitality and volunteered at Mercy Children’s Hospital and AARP, doing taxes for low-income seniors.
“Volunteers really are the soul of the FIFA World Cup. For us, they will bring this to life,” Kramer said.
The Fan Festival event is free, but organizers encourage people to register their interest on the KC2026 website.
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