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With the world\u2019s biggest sporting event on the horizon, Kansas City\u2019s hometown teams are coming together to help welcome the world.\u00a0KC2026\u00a0today\u00a0announced\u00a0the\u00a0Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>,\u00a0Kansas City Royals<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Sporting Kansas City<\/a>\u00a0as\u00a0Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters, uniting three\u00a0of the region\u2019s most iconic franchises behind efforts to showcase Kansas City\u2019s unmatched sports culture, civic pride and\u00a0hospitality on a global stage\u00a0\u2014 while honoring the legacy of pioneers who helped shape sports in America.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cWe have been a driving force in the planning for FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 since 2017 when Kansas City was first preparing the bid,\u201d said Jake Reid, President and CEO of Sporting Kansas City and the Vice President of the KC2026 Board of Directors. \u201cNow that the moment is here, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with KC2026 to show the world why we are the Soccer Capital of America.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n In addition to hosting two Team Base Camp training sites, with No. 3 ranked Argentina at Compass Minerals National Performance Center and No. 4 ranked England at Swope Soccer Village, Sporting Kansas City invites fans to visit Sporting Park this summer to\u00a0participate\u00a0in the free\u00a0Soccer Capital Summer<\/a>\u00a0series. This series of curated\u00a0special events\u00a0and experiences is highlighted by watch parties, concerts and more during the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cWe believe that sports have the power to unite people, and hosting the FIFA World Cup\u2122 in Kansas City is the perfect chance to share how Kansas City celebrates sports in our region,\u201d said Cullen Maxey, President of Business Operations for the Kansas City Royals. \u201cPartnering with KC2026 is a top priority for our team because it helps fulfill Ewing Kauffman\u2019s founding goal for the Royals, to be the city\u2019s greatest supporter and a leader in making Kansas City a world-class sports destination.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n In support of this partnership with the Kansas City Royals, KC2026 will add a stop to the ConnectKC26 shuttle route that will drop fans off at Kauffman Stadium. This service will run June 11 through July 13, 2026, from the bus mall by FIFA Fan Festival\u2122 Kansas City and the Independence Center Region Direct stop. The route will run every 20 minutes, starting two hours before game time and ending one hour after the game concludes. Fans can plan their trip now for this summer\u2019s games by purchasing passes on\u00a0KC2026.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cKansas City has long been one of the great sports cities in the world, and FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 will give us the opportunity to share that spirit on a global stage,\u201d said Mark Donovan, President of the Kansas City Chiefs. \u201cThis moment is especially significant because it reflects the vision our founder, Lamar Hunt, believed from the very beginning \u2013 that Kansas City belonged on the world stage and a stadium like Arrowhead could help put the region on the map as a sports and entertainment destination. We are proud to support KC2026 and help showcase the passion, hospitality and championship culture that make our city such a special place. When FIFA fans enter our stadium for the first match, it will mark the culmination of years of work by many, but it will also reinforce what Lamar knew years ago \u2013 that Kansas City, and Arrowhead, would be ready for this moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium will host six FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 matches, including a quarterfinal match, bringing fans from around the globe to the region. The partnership also reflects the lasting legacy of Lamar Hunt, whose vision helped shape both professional football and the growth of soccer in the United States, while establishing Kansas City as one of the country\u2019s premier sports cities.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cAn important reason Kansas City was selected as a host city is our deep-rooted sports culture and the passion of our fans,\u201d said Pam Kramer. \u201cThe Chiefs, Royals and Sporting KC are globally recognized organizations that represent the pride, energy and community spirit of our region. We are especially grateful to Clark Hunt, John Sherman and Cliff Illig for their longstanding support of Kansas City\u2019s FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 efforts and for the leadership they continue to provide through their organizations. Their partnership with KC2026 strengthens our ability to create unforgettable experiences for visitors and showcase Kansas City as one of the great sports cities in the world.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters are key\u00a0partners\u00a0for the\u00a0FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122\u00a0in\u00a0Kansas City. Their support reflects the unity of the Kansas City region and reinforces the goal of delivering a globally visible, locally rooted tournament experience that drives long-term regional impact.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting Kansas City\u00a0join the existing Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters: global engineering firm Black &\u00a0Veatch, the largest and oldest\u00a0manufacturer\u00a0of greeting cards in the United States\u00a0Hallmark,\u00a0national general contracting firm JE Dunn Construction, global design firm Populous and Nestl\u00e9 Purina PetCare. The University of Kansas Health System serves as the Official Medical Services Provider for the Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City, supporting medical care and planning for fans during the tournament.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n For more information about Host City Supporters and the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122, visit kansascityfwc26.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow\u00a0KC2026 on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n