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2026 World Cup Kansas City: Tickets & Travel Guide
3 countries. 16 cities. 104 matches. The 2026 World Cup is set to deliver an unforgettable summer of football across North America, with the USA, Canada, and Mexico all playing host to the world's biggest sporting event. Each country is preparing to welcome a wave of international fans, and every host city is ready to showcase its unique culture, energy, and passion for the beautiful game. One of these host cities is Houston, a place celebrated for its legendary barbecue, rich jazz heritage, and iconic fountains.
How to buy tickets for the World Cup matches in City
The World Cup is the pinnacle of professional football, and it only comes around every four years, so tickets are in high demand and notoriously difficult to get your hands on. In fact, it's common for fans to reach out to our support team asking: How can I book World Cup tickets in Kansas City? And it can be tricky. Let's walk you through all the steps so you can start thinking about booking your flights across the pond.
- Select the match you want to attend and click 'View Tickets'.
- Select the area you would like to sit within the stadium graphic on the right-hand side.
- Select the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
- Click on the green 'Buy' button.
- Complete the order form using your personal details.
- Don't forget to check that all your information has been input and is correct.
- Click 'Make Payment'.
- The tickets are now yours!
Ticket prices tend to vary depending on the seat category and match type, so do bear that in mind when selecting matches. Some games, mainly knockout matches or popular teams, can sell out incredibly quickly, so make sure you book early and are on high alert for when tickets come on sale!
Which stadium in the City hosts World Cup matches
The 2026 World Cup will showcase 104 matches throughout the tournament, with 6 of them played at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium. Opened in 1972, this iconic venue will be referred to as "Kansas City Stadium" during the tournament, in line with the World Cup's sponsorship and branding regulations. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the stadium plays host to NFL side Kansas City Chiefs and is renowned for its electric atmosphere and passionate fan base.
With a capacity of over 76,000, Arrowhead Stadium holds the Guinness World Record for loudest stadium roar, reaching an eye-watering 142.2 decibels. Following a $375 million upgrade in 2010, the stadium now features a 360-degree Video Ribbon Board, which enhances fan visibility and an upgraded sound system, designed to amplify crowd noise and game-day atmosphere.
Having hosted decades of NFL action, record-breaking crowd roars, and huge college football matchups, Arrowhead Stadium is no stranger to high-profile sporting events. Now it is preparing to welcome the world's gaze as Kansas City gears up to host the world's biggest event, the World Cup.
| Stadium | Capacity | No. Games | Stages Hosted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrowhead Stadium | 76,416 | 6 | Group Stage, Round of 32, Quarter-final |
Fan zones locations in City
The official Dallas World Cup Fan Festival will be held at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. The site is the United States' official museum dedicated to World War I and houses the world's most comprehensive collection of Great War artefacts.
While a war museum might not seem like the most obvious venue to welcome international football fans, its selection was a considered decision by local organisers, chosen for its powerful symbolism, central location and sweeping views of downtown Kansas City.
The public will be given free access to the venue throughout the World Cup, from June 11 to July 19, and will be able to enjoy live match screenings, food vendors, music performances, and interactive games. If you're attending a game or just looking to soak up the vibes, the Fanzone promises to be a lively experience.
Accommodation tips in the city for football fans
Depending on whether you're planning to soak up the World Cup atmosphere at the Kansas City Fan Festival or you've got tickets to a match and would like to stay closer to the stadium, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Here's a full guide of the options you have at your disposal.
Near Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
| Category | Hotel Name | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-Friendly (< £130/night) | Best Western Plus Kansas City Sports Complex Hotel | 5-minute drive |
| Hotel Lotus Kansas City Stadium | 5-minute drive | |
| Extended Stay America – Select Suites – Kansas City – Stadium | 5-minute drive | |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kansas City Sport Complex Area by IHG | 5-minute drive | |
| Quality Inn & Suites Kansas City – Independence I-70 East | 10-minute drive | |
| Super 8 by Wyndham Independence Kansas City | 10-minute drive | |
| Mid-Range (£130–£230/night) | Stoney Creek Hotel Kansas City – Independence | 15-minute drive |
| Wingate by Wyndham Kansas City | 15-minute drive | |
| Luxury (> £300/night) | No luxury hotels within immediate vicinity | — |
Near Kansas City Fan Festival Site (National WWI Museum and Memorial)
| Category | Hotel Name | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-Friendly (< £130/night) | Fairfield Inn Kansas City Downtown/Union Hill | 5-minute drive |
| Cherry Warehouse Hotel | 5-minute drive | |
| Home2 Suites Kansas City Downtown | 5-minute drive | |
| La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kansas City Beacon Hill | 5-minute drive | |
| Mid-Range (£130–£230/night) | Hampton Inn & Suites Kansas City Downtown Crossroads | 5-minute drive |
| Hotel Indigo Kansas City – the Crossroads, an IHG Hotel | 5-minute drive | |
| Crossroads Hotel | 5-minute drive | |
| Luxury (> £300/night) | The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center | 5-minute walk |
If you are staying for a longer period of time or you are travelling as part of a group, you could consider booking an Airbnb or a short-term rental. For all stays, ensure you book early to avoid price surges as the World Cup draws closer and demand for accommodation skyrockets.
How to get to city (city centre)
If you are flying from the UK, the most common route is from London Heathrow to Kansas City International Airport. While there are currently no nonstop flights, most involve just one stop in a major US hub like Chicago, Dallas or Atlanta. The total journey usually takes between 10 and 13 hours, depending on the layover.
Once you land, getting into the city is relatively easy. The airport is about 25 minutes from downtown Kansas City, and taxis, shuttles and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are readily available. For short trips or sightseeing, bike-share stations and e-scooter rentals are available throughout central Kansas City, especially near Union Station and the Crossroads Arts District.
Driving is an option too, but traffic and parking near major venues like Arrowhead Stadium or the Fan Festival site can complicate things on matchdays, so public transport, including the KC Streetcar, is often the smarter choice.
Travel information between connected cities
Kansas City is part of the Central Region, which includes Dallas, Houston, Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. Flying between these host cities is the quickest and easiest way to move around the Central Region, and flights are frequent and affordable, especially via Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus.
Travelling between the American host cities, including Dallas, Houston, and Kansas City, is simple by train, as all of them are connected by the United States' main trainline, Amtrak. The train journeys can be long, but Amtrak trains are very comfortable and often have scenic views as you travel. Mexico's rail service is limited, so there is no service between the USA and Mexico, and it is difficult to travel around Mexico via the train, with locals often preferring to fly or drive between cities.
Long-distance buses are also a popular and cheaper alternative and offer comfortable seating, onboard entertainment and scenic views as you travel, but they take much longer than flying or by train.
You do also have the option of going on a road trip, but they do tend to be quite time-consuming, as you can see below:
| Route | Distance (miles / km) | Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico City → Monterrey | 566 mi / 912 km | 9–10 hours |
| Mexico City → Guadalajara | 340 mi / 547 km | 6–7 hours |
| Mexico City → Dallas | 930 mi / 1,500 km | 16–18 hours |
| Mexico City → Houston | 890 mi / 1,430 km | 15–17 hours |
| Mexico City → Kansas City | 1,370 mi / 2,205 km | 22–24 hours |
| Monterrey → Guadalajara | 430 mi / 690 km | 7–8 hours |
| Monterrey → Dallas | 580 mi / 933 km | 9–10 hours |
| Monterrey → Houston | 510 mi / 820 km | 8–9 hours |
| Monterrey → Kansas City | 1,030 mi / 1,660 km | 17–19 hours |
| Guadalajara → Dallas | 1,050 mi / 1,690 km | 17–19 hours |
| Guadalajara → Houston | 980 mi / 1,575 km | 16–18 hours |
| Guadalajara → Kansas City | 1,400 mi / 2,255 km | 23–25 hours |
| Dallas → Houston | 240 mi / 385 km | 3.5–4.5 hours |
| Dallas → Kansas City | 510 mi / 820 km | 7.5–8.5 hours |
| Houston → Kansas City | 740 mi / 1,190 km | 11–12 hours |
Football history in the city
Football arrived in Kansas City in the early 20th century after immigrant communities from Europe brought their love for the game across the Atlantic. The city quickly fell in love with the game as well, with matches often organised in parks or community fields by clubs tied to churches, cultural societies, and neighbourhood associations.
However, it wasn't until 1968 that Kansas City finally welcomed its own professional team to the area with the formation of the Kansas City Spurs, as part of the original North American Soccer League. The team burned brightly, winning the NASL championship in 1969, but its flame was short-lived, disbanding just a year later in 1970.
After a lengthy stint without a professional club, in 1995, Kansas City was named one of the original 10 cities for the launch of Major League Soccer. They made their MLS debut in 1996 as the Kansas City Wiz, but later rebranded to the Kansas City Wizards. The side rebranded once again in 2010, finally settling on Sporting Kansas City as their name and are widely considered one of the most successful sides in MLS history, winning the MLS twice, the US Open Cup four times, and the Supporters' Shield once.
Playing their matches at Children's Mercy Park, fans of Sporting KC are renowned for their passion and loyalty to the club, making them the perfect ambassadors for Kansas City's role in the 2026 World Cup.
World Cup 2026 Venue in Kansas City
| Stadium | Capacity | Key Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Arrowhead Stadium | 76,416 | Group Stage, Round of 16 |
Other World Cup 2026 Venues in the United States
| City | Stadium | Key Matches |
|---|---|---|
| New York/New Jersey | MetLife Stadium | Final, Semi-final |
| Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium | Semi-final, Quarter-final |
| Dallas | AT&T Stadium | Quarter-final |
| Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Quarter-final |
| Houston | NRG Stadium | Group Stage, Round of 16 |
| Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field | Group Stage, Round of 16 |
| Miami | Hard Rock Stadium | Group Stage, Round of 16 |
| San Francisco | Levi's Stadium | Group Stage, Round of 16 |
| Seattle | Lumen Field | Group Stage, Round of 16 |
| Boston | Gillette Stadium | Group Stage |
World Cup 2026 Qualified Teams
| Pot 1 (Top Seeds) | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | Croatia | Scotland | Ghana |
| Argentina | Morocco | Egypt | Cabo Verde |
| France | Uruguay | Tunisia | South Africa |
| England | Colombia | Algeria | Curaçao |
| Portugal | Japan | Ivory Coast | Haiti |
| Netherlands | Senegal | Saudi Arabia | Panama |
| Brazil | South Korea | Qatar | UEFA Playoff (Path A) |
| Belgium | Iran | Australia | UEFA Playoff (Path B) |
| Germany | Switzerland | Uzbekistan | UEFA Playoff (Path C) |
| United States (Host) | Austria | Jordan | UEFA Playoff (Path D) |
| Mexico (Host) | Norway | Paraguay | Inter-Confed Playoff 1 |
| Canada (Host) | Ecuador | Venezuela | Inter-Confed Playoff 2 |