Purina partnership takes priority as KC2026 announces World Cup Fan Fest canine collab
Purina Pet Behaviorist Annie Valuska and Communications Lead Michael Zerner; KC Pet Project CEO Kate Meghji; and KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer // Photo by Kylie Volavongsa
Local discussion on the World Cup has grown… contentious.
Last week, we talked about security planning and asked for clearer answers on conflicting numbers, while our neighbors at The Kansas City Star suggested we “see what happens” as expectations shift away from KC2026 and Visit KC’s lofty “world coming to Kansas City” messaging, amid lower-than-projected hotel and airline bookings.
Perhaps this back-and-forth on negatives and positives has grown tiring. Here’s something on the side of positives: Kansas City as the “Most Pet-Friendly FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City.”
A rendering of the Purina Dog Days tent // Photo by Kylie Volavongsa
Through a collaboration with KC Pet Project and Purina PetCare, KC2026’s FIFA Fan Fest will now include “Dog Days” programming, where visitors can bring their dogs to a dedicated tent with customizable bandanas, treat samples, and a “Leap of Paws” attraction to see how athletic your pets are compared to those of notable soccer stars.
These activities will be available on June 14, June 21, and July 5.
Given previous announcements of a Fan Fest heart sculpture, premium legacy lounge, and concert lineup, Dog Days might come as a bit of a surprise to observers. But through their partnership, started early in 2025, KC2026 and Purina reps say they’ve had Dog Days in the works quite some time—along with other KC-partnered programming to keep an eye out for later.
“We wanted people to have an understanding of the footprint of the Fan Festival first,” says KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer. “Knowing that this is a part of the Fan Festival, we wanted to make sure we chose the moment that fans were paying attention.”
Michael Zerner, Purina Communications Lead, adds: “We’ve been feeling our way through this and the details, but it’s been one of our primary core objectives.”
Purina Pet Behaviorist, Dr. Annie Valuska, reminds attendees that those bringing companions should have an honest and responsible evaluation of their pets before participating, saying: “We encourage pet owners to be mindful of their pet’s temperament while making the evaluation for whether this would be a good fit for their dog.”
A rendering of the Purina Dog Days tent floor plan // Photo by Kylie Volavongsa
The Purina pet tent will include a gallery of adoptable local critters from KC Pet Project, with some in attendance, too.
Pet Project’s Fan Fest goal is to help find homes for 400 adoptable pets.
“We want our Fan Festival to be distinctly Kansas City. We want it to feel different, we want people to know they’re in Kansas City, and one of the hallmarks of our region is that we are the animal health corridor,” Kramer tells The Pitch. “We’re reflecting not only that, but the welcoming, authentic people we are. And pets are part of that. Most people can relate to the idea of companion pets and the role they play in our lives here in the Midwest.”
Dog Days event guide, FAQ, and know-before-you-go video to come. The website, available here, currently reads “Additional details about interactive experiences, pet apparel, take-home samples and programming will be shared soon.”
