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Kansas City, MO – Kansas City is bracing for an influx of visitors as it prepares to host World Cup matches this summer, with hotel availability and short-term rentals already tightening months before the first game kicks off.
Tourism officials estimate that hundreds of thousands of visitors could ride the subway during the tournament, when the city has about 36,000 hotel rooms. Some of these rooms are under contract with FIFA and are not accessible to the general public, adding pressure to an already competitive accommodation market.
This demand is pushing some residents to take unusual measures. Adam Kinner, a short-term rental host who owns several properties in the Kansas City area, says he’s even considering renting his own house during the World Cup and moving in with his parents.
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Short-term rental properties are being booked in the Kansas City area ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Olivianna Calmes)
“I’m actually going back to my parents’ basement,” Kinner told FOX. “The opportunity is so great here that it would be foolish not to take advantage of it.”
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Visit Kansas City and Kansas City Sports Commission President and CEO Kathy Nelson says the city has been preparing for this moment for years and is closely monitoring hotel capacity as bookings accelerate.
“The energy, the excitement, the anticipation is incredible,” Nelson said. “Everyone is about to arrive at our door.”
A map highlights the cities selected to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Olivianna Calmes)
Nelson says Kansas City is one of the World Cup’s smaller host cities, alongside major destinations like New York, Los Angeles and Miami, but officials are confident visitors will fan out throughout the region to find accommodation.
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The development of new hotels is also accelerating. A 45-room boutique hotel called the River Market Hotel is expected to open this spring, just weeks before the games begin. Hotel managing member Mike Heitman says the timing adds pressure but also opportunities.
Hotel construction continues in Kansas City’s River Market neighborhood as the region prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Olivianna Calmes)
“It’s both exciting and scary,” Heitman said. “There’s a good chance we’ll be open in just a week or two.”
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Kansas City will host six World Cup matches at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, including group stage matches, round of 16 and quarterfinal matches. Tourism officials estimate the event could bring more than $600 million in economic benefits to the region, making it the largest tourism event the city has ever hosted.
