Everything you need to know about Kansas City’s FIFA Fan Fest

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Kansas City’s FIFA Fan Festival is almost here — and whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan or just curious about the buzz, here’s what you need to know before you go.

What is it?

The FIFA Fan Festival is a free, open-to-the-public event celebrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to Kansas City. It’s organized by KC2026, the local nonprofit leading planning and activation efforts for the World Cup in the Kansas City region.

Held on the south lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the festival kicks off June 11th and runs through the tournament.

Not all Fan Fest events across the 13 host cities are free. Kansas City’s is.

What’s there?

From the moment you walk in, the experience is designed to feel distinctly Kansas City. One of the first things you’ll see is a 65-foot heart shaped arch — a symbol of who Kansas City is and what it’s all about. The landscaping features plants from Powell Gardens, and the food scene is all local, with 20 local restaurants represented.

Not a fan of the summer heat? There’s a 30,000-square-foot, air-conditioned FIFA merchandise store where you can cool off and shop.

Families with kids will want to check out the Sporting KC Youth Soccer Clinic, where young fans can kick the ball around and learn skills from Sporting KC youth coaches. The clinic runs on specific days and times — check the Fan Fest schedule for details.

Live music & matches

The festival features a packed lineup of headliners and live FIFA World Cup match screenings on giant screens every day. Highlights include:

• 🎵 The Chainsmokers — Saturday, June 13
• 🎵 Flo Rida — Friday, June 19
• 🎵 Gabby Barrett — Friday, July 3
• 🎵 Sheryl Crow — Friday, July 10
• 🎵 All-American Rejects — Saturday, July 11
• ⚽ KC Match Days — June 16 (Argentina v Algeria), June 20 (Ecuador v Curaçao), June 25 (Tunisia v Netherlands), June 27 (Algeria v Austria), July 3 (Round of 32), July 11 (Quarterfinal)

View the full schedule here.

How do you get in?

General Admission is free — but you must register in advance. Don’t wait. KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer said Friday and Saturday already have over-capacity registrations, and Thursday is filling up fast.

The busiest days, Kramer said, are expected to be Kansas City match days, Mexico match days, weekends, and days with major music headliners. Plan accordingly.

When days near or hit capacity, KC2026 will notify registered pass holders a day in advance — via email, social media, and kc2026.com — and will direct fans to alternative watch parties in the region.

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There are also two paid premium options. Premium ticket holders get guaranteed entry, Kramer said:

• Premium Garden Pass — Guaranteed entry, private bar area, elevated food options and more.
• Legacy Lounge Pass — All of the above, plus all-inclusive food and a premium beverage package.

👉 Reserve your pass at KC2026.com

Kramer said about 40% of registrations are from outside the metro, and 15% of those are international. Fans from Argentina, Ecuador, and Mexico are already registered and expected in strong numbers.

Before you go: Fan Fest FAQs

Here’s what to know before you head out the door:

• 🅿️ There is no dedicated parking for FIFA Fan Festival Kansas City. Guests are encouraged to use ConnectKC26 Region Direct, ride the KC Streetcar, or use a rideshare service.
• 👜 Clear bag policy is in effect. Small bags such as belt bags are allowed if their total dimensions (length + width + height) do not exceed 29.5 inches. Check the full list of prohibited items.
• 💧 Bring an empty plastic water bottle. Metal and glass are not allowed on the property. Refill stations are located throughout the grounds.
• 💳 The event is cashless. All vendors, including food and beverage, accept international debit and credit cards. Visa is preferred.
• 👧 There is no minimum age to attend. However, anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• 🎟️ Free GA passes are first-come, first-served and subject to capacity limits. A pass does not guarantee entry.
• 🕐 Hours vary by day. Check the full schedule before you go.

👉 Full FAQ at KC2026.com

Beat the heat — and know the weather plan

The Fan Fest runs deep into summer. Come prepared:

• Fill your empty plastic bottle at one of the refill stations located throughout the grounds.
• Forgot your bottle? They’re available for purchase on-site.
• Duck into the air-conditioned FIFA merch store for a cool-down break.

Severe weather: KC2026 has a formal severe weather plan in place. The National Weather Service is embedded in their joint operations center and provides a briefing every morning. FanFest will close if lightning is detected within 8 miles, wind gusts reach 30 mph, or sustained winds hit 35 mph. Evacuation plans and emergency shelters are in place for tornado or other urgent situations, Kramer said.

Why it matters

Kansas City leaders said this is a moment for the city to shine on a global stage.

“What I am most excited about is letting the world see Kansas City. Today, I’ve bumped into people from Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, all of whom are thrilled about opportunities there. This is, frankly, government cooperation at its best, public-private partnership at its best. And I think Kansas City has shown not just today that we can do big events, but frankly, we can do any big event that will come in the future.”— Mayor Quinton Lucas

KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer said the real thing exceeded expectations:

“Sometimes you work on these projects, and the renders are one thing. And then you see the actual activation, and it doesn’t look the same. This is even better.”

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