69 days out from FIFA World Cup, the KC2026 Fan Festival and other major city plans remain unsettlingly vague
A rendering of the Fan Fest’s premium Legacy Lounge // Courtesy of KC2026
In the spirit of Kansas City’s Midwestern cultural exchange, we might just see a “dad bod contest” organized by local World Cup planning group KC2026.
That’s simply a new suggestion on their proverbial whiteboard; yet to be determined, among other logistics, in the now 69 days before the FIFA World Cup. On the other hand, after launching themed Fest days and a 65-foot heart sculpture at its previous briefing in February, KC2026 has reemerged with updates that truly highlight the city’s ambition.
A rendered overview of Fan Fest grounds // Courtesy of KC2026
A luxury Legacy Lounge
Today, KC2026 introduced a Fan Fest upgrade in the form of the Legacy Lounge—a two-story building with climate-controlled restrooms, a trophy display from KC sports teams, and a rooftop view of the grounds. It’s set to begin construction on the week of May 11.
That means a one-month sprint to the beginning of the biggest World Cup watch party in the city.
“We’ve been working on logistics for over a year now,” says Fan Festival and Events Director Mallory Cage. “It’s started from ‘How far out do we need to start moving in?’ ‘What does every day look like?’ ‘How do we work with our local union to get the labor here that we need?’ Over a month, it’s going to be a six-day work week at a minimum, and we’re going to make it happen.”
What’s definitely been settled, at least, is that Lounge passes are now on sale for $225 per Fest day.
Beautiful music for the beautiful game
Nearly two weeks ago, FIFA released the first song of the official 2026 World Cup soundtrack: “Lighter” by Jelly Roll and Carín León.
If you haven’t heard it yet, a YouTube comment with 20 thousand likes summarizes all you need to know: “put it in 2x [speed], it doesn’t sound better but it ends faster.”
Thankfully, KC2026 intends to put on a different kind of soundtrack at the Fest with live musical acts.
“That’s a chance to showcase jazz and everything else in Kansas City, from a music standpoint or from an art standpoint,” CEO Pam Kramer explains. “Mallory and her team have done a great job working with our arts, culture, and heritage working group to make sure we’re reaching out to artists.”
While the acts in question have yet to be announced, Kramer says concerts, headliners, and artists will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Getting there
To make your way to the fun, KC2026 has already announced the ConnectKC26 transit plan to shuttle guests and locals around the region, Fan Fest grounds, and stadium. All ConnectKC26 services will require passes, which Kramer says will roll out in “a few weeks.”
You can sign up for updates here.
ConnectKC26 routes span across the metro // Courtesy of KC2026
Along with ConnectKC26, the KC2026 website encourages visitors to use the City’s RideKC bus system and the KC Streetcar.
This comes at a time in which the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority projects cuts to nearly one third of its routes and an estimated 97 layoffs for union bus drivers amid a need for over $100 million in funds from the City, per recent reportage from KCUR.
On the bright side, RideKC opened its Legends Loop circulator route on April 1. It will take guests across Kansas City, Kansas’ Legends area, from the Great Wolf Lodge to Margaritaville to Hollywood Casino.
As for the Streetcar? Service closures during the March 28 No Kings protests, and restrictions on sign-carrying protestors, continue to raise questions on the City’s World Cup readiness.
“We do have that whole World Cup thing happening in a few months, and those folks tend to travel in groups, carry signs and occasionally get rowdy. It would be nice to know the city is ready for it,” writes David Hudnall, Kansas City Star columnist (and previous editor of The Pitch).
Everything said, KC2026 continues to have faith in its work and the spirit of the city as it approaches that work.
“We feel like the secret sauce in Kansas City is the heart, and the attitude that we bring to this is, perhaps, uniquely Kansas City and that we have to lock arms here to get things done,” says Kramer.
Secret sauce, indeed.
