Kansas City is set to be one of 11 host cities in the U.S. that will see 2026 FIFA World Cup matches take place next year, and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is hard at work preparing for the task of hosting and moving hundreds of thousands of additional visitors during that time frame. KCATA expects approximately 650,000 unique visitors to be in the area for the purpose of attending the World Cup and has been planning diligently with partners for months to ensure those visitors will have safe and reliable transportation options while in town.
Earlier this year, KC2026, the FIFA World Cup 26 Kansas City Host Committee which includes KCATA representatives, signed a lease for 200 buses which will be used during the World Cup. These leased vehicles will complement existing KCATA bus routes, transporting people to and from Kansas City International Airport, hotel centers, matches, and more. KCATA also has plans to improve frequencies and service hours on select primary routes throughout the duration of the event.
Due to the location of the venue, driving and parking a personal vehicle will not be possible. A park and ride system is therefore being developed to complement KCATA’s services, which include the KC Streetcar Main Street extension which is expected to reach completion later this year. In addition to expanding service and supporting the park and ride system, KCATA is working closely with regional partners to develop and provide enhanced wayfinding, shuttle corridors, and designated drop-off/pick-up zones which will help ensure the region’s transit system is safe, reliable, and user-friendly even after the event comes to a close in 2026.