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Kansas City is poised for a tourism boost when the FIFA World Cup arrives in June and July<\/a>. And the Royals have a message for those coming to town.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Take me out to the ballgame.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The World Cup will happen during the heart of baseball season, and in Kansas City that means in the stadium across the parking lot from where soccer will be played.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n World Cup games are scheduled at Arrowhead Stadium \u2014 to be known as Kansas City Stadium during the competition \u2014 on June 16 (Argentine vs. Algeria), 20 (Ecuador vs. Curacao), 25 (Netherlands vs. Tunisia) and 27 (Algeria vs. Austria).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Also, Kansas City hosts a round of 32 game on July 3 and a quarterfinal on July 11.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals will interrupt a series for soccer. They play host to the St. Louis Cardinals on June 18, 19 and 21. On July 3, there is an open day between home series with the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n More than 600,000 people are estimated<\/a> to visit Kansas City for the World Cup, and the Royals are open for business. There\u2019s even a City Connect scarf giveaway, along with fireworks on June 19.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf there are going to be 600,000 people here, the goal is to make sure they know there\u2019s a Royals game, and know how you get here,\u201d said Cullen Maxey, Royals president of business operations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s not only fans of teams playing in the games that are expected to arrive in Kansas City. Argentina, the defending World Cup champion, England and the Netherlands are establishing base camps here, with Algeria setting up camp in Lawrence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Those teams will train here, travel to their games and return to Kansas City while they remain alive in the competition. Fans will follow the same pattern.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And although baseball\u2019s popularity in the nations that will be in Kansas City doesn\u2019t compare to America\u2019s, two of the countries \u2014 Netherlands and Great Britain \u2014 fielded teams in the World Baseball Classic. And Curacao is the home nation of Andruw Jones, just elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re trying to work with all the teams that are going to be here,\u201d Maxey said. \u201cTeams are going to need days off.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals have connected with England and are working on a night at Kauffman Stadium for the Three Lions. Perhaps a first kick, instead of a first pitch?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d love to have them meet some of our players,\u201d Maxey said. \u201cI think they\u2019d value that, and our players would value that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In addition to taking over Arrowhead for the games, FIFA will use plenty of space in the Truman Sports Complex parking lot. Maxey doesn\u2019t see that as a big issue for Royals fans. Parking for season-ticket members won\u2019t be affected.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some could end up parking in lots farther away then what the Royals normally use.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For Kauffman newcomers, say international fans, the KC2026 transportation system could be an answer. The Royals and KC2026 are looking at ways to connect a bus from Fan Fest to Kauffman. The Royals will be home during several Fan Fest days<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat a great opportunity for someone, even if they\u2019re not traveling from outside the country, to see Midwestern hospitality at a baseball game,\u201d Maxey said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n