Kansas City, a metropolis steeped in a rich tapestry of traders, mobsters, jazz legends, and even pop icon Taylor Swift, is now poised to welcome some of the world's elite soccer players and their fervent supporters. Despite being the smallest of the 11 US host cities for the upcoming Fifa World Cup, which runs from 11 June to 19 July, it has remarkably attracted three top seeds: England, Argentina, and the Netherlands, to establish their base camps here.
A Transformative Journey
This Midwestern city is set to transform into a temporary home for cash-rich athletes, their legions of fans, and the 'WAGs' – the designer fashion-clad wives and girlfriends, as British tabloids refer to them. For many, this will present a stark contrast to their accommodation at the last tournament in Qatar, where some were housed on a cruise ship.
Kansas City's journey to World Cup host has been a long one, having missed out on hosting duties when the tournament was last held in the United States in 1994. In the decades since, football has flourished, with the city now boasting several world-class training facilities. Its central geographical location also makes it an ideal choice for teams looking to minimize travel times to matches in other cities.
What Kansas City Offers
Known locally as KC, the city straddles two states, Missouri and Kansas, at the confluence of two rivers. The more populous Missouri side will host six World Cup games, including a quarter-final, at Arrowhead Stadium, home to the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs. Reigning champions Argentina will train on the quieter Kansas side, while the English squad will be accommodated in a nearby hotel.
While the area may not offer the vibrant nightlife of New York City, the culinary scene of Los Angeles, or the beaches of Miami, locals anticipate that visitors will be pleasantly surprised by what they discover. Many will undoubtedly queue for brisket 'burnt ends' or smoked pork at one of the city's renowned barbecue establishments, such as Arthur Bryant's, or Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, a petrol station restaurant famously listed by the late US celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain as one of his '13 places to eat before you die.' Music enthusiasts can enjoy a jazz jam session at The Blue Room in the historic 18th & Vine District, while film buffs can follow the yellow brick road to the Oz Museum in the small Kansan town of Wamego.
'I think you come in and you expect Midwest cows walking down the street,' said Jake Reid, vice president of the Kansas City host committee. 'But it's got such a great arts and culture scene,' he added, noting that the people 'just make you feel welcome.'
Soccer Capital of America
Kansas City is perhaps best known for American football, with the Chiefs having secured three recent Super Bowls, and their star tight end, Travis Kelce, engaged to pop superstar Taylor Swift. However, the city has also actively positioned itself as the 'Soccer Capital of America', boasting thriving men's and women's professional teams – Sporting Kansas City and the KC Current, respectively – and having invested hundreds of millions of dollars into state-of-the-art training complexes and stadiums over the past 15 years.
Dani Welniak, the Current's vice president of communications, believes Swift has significantly elevated the city's profile. 'We're so excited that she's a part of the Kansas City sports scene now, and I really hope and believe that she will show up for some of these World Cup matches because it is going to be a spectacle,' Welniak stated. The Netherlands, widely considered the best team never to have won the World Cup, will train at the Current's facility, with head coach Ronald Koeman having described it as the 'best option' for his team after an April visit. 'Sports culture in Kansas City is contagious,' added Kyra Carusa, a forward for the Current. 'It's exciting. It's everywhere.'
Team Base Camps
In February, Argentina became the first team to confirm Kansas City as their base camp, citing the convenient distances between cities and the quality of amenities. Lionel Messi, likely appearing in his final World Cup, and his teammates will commence their title defence on 16 June with a match against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium. England, despite having no local matches, will train at Swope Soccer Village – the former stomping grounds for Sporting Kansas City – and will fly to Dallas, New York, and Boston for their three group-stage fixtures.
For teams based in major hubs like New York or Los Angeles, 'it's going to be a little bit crazier, there's probably a little bit more people hounding you,' Reid explained. Kansas City, by contrast, 'feels like home,' he said.
Visitor Expectations
Approximately 650,000 people are expected to descend on the city during the World Cup, according to Visit KC, the city's official non-profit promoter. However, an early May report by the American Hotel and Lodging Association indicated that hotel bookings are currently lagging behind expectations. At Joe's Bar-B-Que, regular Camilla Thomas, 29, offered a word of caution to visitors: 'come prepared.' As a server called out for a customer to collect an order of pork spare ribs that completely covered the plate, she added, 'It's going to be much bigger portions than anyone in Europe is going to be used to.'
