Kansas City World Cup Guide: Where to Eat, Drink & Stay
Our home town will likely welcome more visitors in 2026 than it has in its history. How should visitors to Kansas City spend their time between matches?
We’re entering what will be one of the most high profile years in Kansas City’s history (and we already know this does not include an appearance by the Chiefs in the 2026 Super Bowl). Tourism to our fair city will perhaps never top what 2026 has in store. The World Cup will be the biggest tourism draw in the city’s history.
The Matches
All six games will be played at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kansas City Game Schedule:
June 16 | Argentina vs. Algeria (8:00 PM CT)
June 20 | Ecuador vs. Curaçao (7:00 PM CT)
June 25 | Tunisia vs. Netherlands (6:00 PM CT)
June 27 | Algeria vs. Austria (9:00 PM CT)
July 3 | Round of 32 (8:30 PM CT)
July 11 | Quarterfinal (8:00 PM CT)
Luckily, all of the games all take place in the evening in order to avoid the heat of a Midwest summer day. This gives you plenty of time during the day to soak up all that Kansas City has to offer.
Transportation
Getting around the main areas of the city is relatively easy thanks to the Kansas City streetcar and additional transportation setup by ConnectKC26 specifically for the World Cup.
The streetcar connects the River Market, Downtown, Crossroads, and the Plaza. It is completely free and streetcars arrive at stops every 10-15 minutes. Below are the hours of operation:
Sunday – Thursday: 5:00 a.m. – Midnight
Friday: 5:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Anywhere else in the city, you will need to utilize Lyft/Uber, which is readily available, or drive yourself if you rented a car. On match days, we definitely wouldn’t recommend banking on rideshare services as we expect them to be extremely busy and you may incur heavy surge pricing. Luckily, ConnectKC26 will have some great options for getting to/from the airport, to the matches themselves and around the city.
ConnectKC26 Airport Direct
Free service from the airport to downtown KC (27th and Main) with a valid ConnectKC26 pass
Hours of Operation: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct
$15 per rider, per match roundtrip with valid ConnectKC26 Pass and match ticket
Route runs from the FIFA Fan Festival or four designated park-and-ride locations
Services begins 3 hours before the match and two hours after the match ends
ConnectKC26 Region Direct
Variable cost: 1-Day Pass $5 | 7-Day Pass $25 | Full Tournament Pass $50 (unlimited rides) with valid ConnectKC26 pass
Stops across the region including the FIFA Fan Festival
Hours of Operation:
Weekdays Sun–Thurs: 10 a.m. - Midnight
Weekends Fri–Sat: 10 a.m. - 1 a.m.
Where to Stay
There are several great areas to stay when travelling to Kansas City. Since there are a few great options for getting around downtown and it housing the FIFA Fan Festival, we highly recommend staying in the Crossroads. Here you will be directly in the action and close to most attractions the city has to offer as well as set up perfectly for transport to matches.
Some of the other areas that are a great launching point include the Country Club Plaza, River Market, Downtown, and Crown Center. These areas are all near a streetcar stop as well, so you are able to easy travel across the city to the different hot spots.
Below are some great options for your stay:
This hotel located in the heart of the Crossroads, so this hotel is the perfect spot to rest in between adventures. Built in 1911, this hotel originally was Pabst Brewing Depot. It has a cool modern vibe and rooms that are bursting with character and charm. The lobby here is a vibe in its own right. It has a cool bar right when you walk in the door as well as one of our personal favorite restaurants, Lazia. Go for a nightcap on the rooftop bar for epic views of the city.
Another hotel located in the Crossroads, this hotel has a great location if you happen to be seeing a show at the T-Mobile Center or Kaufman Center of the Performing Arts. It’s also connected to the Kansas City Convention Center. Most of the rooms have fantastic views of the iconic Kaufman Center, downtown skyline or Power & Light District. The rooms are well appointed and spacious.
This historic hotel has been around since 1926. The rooms are updated to a more traditional style, but you’ll enjoy the older vibe of the lobby, restaurant and bar to match their 1920’s history. This hotel is also in close proximity to the Kansas City Convention Center, T-Mobile Center, and Power & Light District.
Kansas City will welcome at least seven teams from four continents over just a few weeks, so make sure to book a spot fast!
FIFA Fan Festival
Visitors will definitely want to make a stop to the FIFA Fan Festival. Located at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, it’s the perfect location for viewing Kansas City in it’s glory with sweeping views of the city overlooking Union Station and is easily accessible via the streetcar.
The Festival expands over 18 days and includes a wide range of activities including watch parties, concerts, food/drink vendors, and much more. The fan festival is completely free, but you do have to procure a General Admission pass as there are limited quantities. You can also pay for a more premium experience with the Premium Garden Pass or Legacy Lounge Pass.
Don’t sleep on The World WWI Museum while you are here. Designated as the nation’s official World War I Museum, it boasts a wealth of historical galleries and information about the Great War.
Where to Eat
When you hear about the Kansas City food scene, you most likely think of barbecue. We’re not here to debate the merits behind the claim of Kansas City being the “Barbecue Capital of America.” What’s true is that Kansas City has a wealth of barbecue options that vary widely in style. If you venture beyond barbecue, you’ll find a number of options from French and Italian cuisine to southern comfort options. Below are just a few of our favorites.
Barbeque
Joe’s Kansas City
Joe’s is one of the most popular BBQ destinations in Kansas City and for good reason. What started out of gas station is now a bustling restaurant serving up the usual barbecue fare. What sets it apart? The Z-Man sandwich. Brisket, provolone, and onion rings. What more could you want? Don’t be deterred by the line snaking out the door, they move fast and so does the line.
Q39
This place opened with the goal of serving competition barbecue to the masses in the early 2010s. They’ve delivered and become the go-to barbecue joint if you’re in the mood for something more refined. You’re not going to get any great deals here or giant portions, but you’ll get arguably the best brisket, smoked wings and sides of any barbecue restaurant in the city.
See our full recommendation list for Kansas City BBQ.
Date Night
Farina
Kayla’s favorite restaurant in the city. This Italian spot is known for their oyster bar, but their entire menu is spot on. They have their standard pasta dishes, but also feature a rotating seasonal pasta selection. Start with the Parmesan Clam Toast and definitely get whatever agnolotti dish is out for the season, but really you can’t go wrong. They also serve up Jared’s favorite Negroni in the city.
Noka
If you are looking for some Asian for a fancy date night, you should head to Noka. Noka is a Japanese restaurant with a stylish, dark interior that features a wide selection of sushi and other Japanese fare. Their menu is diverse and you will want to try it all. We recommend the Duck Fried Rice but make sure you leave enough room for their sushi.
See our full recommendation list for Fine Dining.
Casual Lunch
Tacos Valentina at Torn Label Brewing
This is one of the newer places to enjoy tacos in Kansas City and in our opinion, it’s the best. There are very few taco experiences we’ve had in Kansas City or abroad that come close to matching the quality and the uniqueness of these tacos. Though we haven’t had any weak orders at Tacos Valentine, we recommend sampling the Kansas City and Suadero tacos after starting with Asada Fries.
Bay Boy Sandwiches
Dutch crunch roll. It’s something we didn’t know existed until we first tried out this small sandwich shop. The crunch roll is so good, we typically purchase a couple along with our sandwiches in case we want to make our own sandwich at home. This small sandwich shop serves a variety of sandwiches - there is truly something for everyone.
See our full recommendation lists for Burgers & Sandwiches, Mexican, and Pizza.
Breakfast & Brunch
Mildred’s
With multiple locations in KCMO, Mildred’s has become one of the most popular brunch options for weekend errands and lunch breaks. You’ll find good coffee, baked goods and an atmosphere conducive to hanging out, people watching or getting work done. What keeps people coming back is the breakfast sandwich.
Succotash
Succotash is an unassuming hot spot to suit your brunch needs. It’s a casual spot, but it gets busy. Be prepared to wait for a table on a weekend. Known for their scrambles/hash, you’ll leave full and happy.
See our full recommendation list for Breakfast & Brunch spots.
Where to Drink
As people who always find time to grab a nice cocktail or two while on vacation, we frequently end up with the same conclusion. Kansas City is home to our favorite bars. Whether you are a cocktail connoisseur, beer drinker or wine enthusiast, Kansas City has a wealth of options to quench your thirst. Below are just a few of our favorites.
Cocktail Bars
Swordfish Tom’s
This cocktail bar is for those of us who enjoy some peace and quiet while sipping on spirit-forward cocktails. Located in the basement of an old building in the Crossroads, Swordfish Tom’s feels like a true speakeasy without relying on a goofy password or secret entrance (though you do need to look a little harder for the entrance than the typical bar). It’s simply a cool, rustic space where you can enjoy some of the most unique libations in the city. Don’t confuse the rules (no talking on cell phones, cash only) with pretentiousness. Just accept that this cocktail bar is for people who enjoy the drinks and good conversation.
Drastic Measures
Drastic Measures feels like the younger cousin of Swordfish Tom’s. If you enjoy the drinks at Swordfish, you’ll likely enjoy the drinks at Drastic Measures. Drastic features similarly spirit forward cocktails but with a slightly more lively atmosphere as well as some very cool themes throughout the year. Drastic has been recognized multiple times by James Beard and for good reason. If we could only visit one cocktail bar the rest of our lives, it might be Drastic Measures.
See our full recommendation list for our favorite Cocktail Bars.
Breweries
Boulevard Brewing Company
Boulevard has been making good beer for Kansas City since long before the craft beer boom. It all started when John McDonald took a barrel of his original Pale Ale down the street to a local Mexican restaurant. People loved it and the rest is history. Today, Boulevard has national reach and can even be found overseas (we got a taste of home in Amsterdam with a Boulevard Single Wide IPA). Since being acquired by Duval Moortgat, Boulevard has expanded it's offering while maintaining its quality and local feel. The brewery itself has fantastic tours, a spacious beer hall and a fantastic gift shop.
Torn Label Brewing Company
Somewhat off the beaten path, Torn Label is located on the far east side of the Crossroads. The taproom itself is fairly basic and they have a solid patio for nice days. The attraction here is the quality of the beer and more recently, the food. We both agree that Torn Label has our favorite local beer. The most likely local beer to be found in our fridge at home on any given day is their Alpha Pale Ale. When visiting, make sure you come at least a little hungry and try some of the best tacos in town from the Tacos Valentina ghost kitchen within the brewery.
See our full recommendation list for our favorite Breweries.
Wine Bars
Le Champion
This spot in Westport took over an old favorite wine bar of ours, Ca va. Le Champion had large shoes to fill, but is doing the space justice. The intimate space retains it’s old charm and the small courtyard is great spot to sip on a drink on a nice day. Le Champion has a smaller wine and cocktail list, but we have enjoyed all the glasses we’ve ordered. They also serve up some amazing small plates in the evenings and delicious coffee and breakfast in the mornings.
Vita’s Place
Vita’s Place is a quaint little bar nestled in the Brookside neighborhood. They have a wonderful selection of wines for every wine lover’s palate or classic cocktails for the cocktail enthusiast. We love their delightful, sharable, small plates menu to round out our visits.
See our full recommendation list for our favorite Wine Bars.
What to Do Between Matches
When you aren’t watching a match, hanging out at the FIFA Fan Festival or enjoying Kansas City’s many delicious restaurants and bars Kansas City offers many exciting activities and attractions to fill your days.
Free Activities:
Nelson Atkins Museum & Sculpture Park
The Nelson Atkins is our favorite museum in the city. Some of the galleries it features includes modern art, impressionism, Ancient Egyptian art, Greek/Roman pieces, Native American artwork, Ancient Asian art, and photography. It truly has something for everyone. Be sure to spend some time outside wandering the sculpture park including the famous shuttlecocks on the front lawn.
Loose Park
Beloved for its iconic rose garden, Loose Park is one of the most popular parks amongst Kansas Citians. You’ll want to stop here especially in spring when the roses are at their peak. Stroll amongst the 3,000 roses, visit the Japanese garden, or sit by Loose Lake.
Union Station
This former train station is an iconic city landmark. It is within walking distance from the WWI Museum and FIFA Fan Festival and there is so much to explore here. There is beautiful architecture inside as well as a variety of shops, restaurants and exhibitions. You could spend all day here if you wanted and have the time. There are some things here that do have a cost, but you can walk around the station and wander the Model Train Gallery for free.
Worth Paying For:
National WWI Museum& Memorial
You will likely be here anyways for the FIFA Fan Festival, so come and brush up on your world history. The area outside the museum is also fun to explore with beautiful stonework and sculptures and for breath-taking views of the city. If you are looking for an even more iconic view take the elevator and some stairs to the top of the Liberty Memorial’s observation deck.
Boulevard Brewing Company Tour
We already recommended Boulevard Brewing Company above as one of our top picks for breweries in Kansas City. It is well-known for good reason and brews up some solid beers. Their tours are definitely worth checking out as you tour the facilities including samples in their Tasting Room. After your tour head to the Boulevard Beer Hall for some more tastes - the atmosphere is lively and you’re sure to find a good spot to people watch or enjoy the weather on the patio.
Jazz Clubs
18th & Vine in Kansas City is one of a handful of American historical sites for origins of Jazz. You will find many great jazz clubs to explore here. We recommend The Green Lady Lounge, The Black Dolphin and The Phoenix. There’s usually just a small cover fee so relatively inexpensive to enjoy some tunes.
Our Top Tips for Kansas City
Use the streetcar! It’s free and links up all the major areas of the city. You won’t want to have to deal with surge pricing for rideshare or dealing with traffic/parking by driving yourself. While you can’t walk from one area of the city to the other, it is very walkable once you get off at that area’s streetcar stop.
If you are interested in having a nice date night at our top restaurants be sure to make a reservation in advance. It is sure to book up quickly.
The FIFA Fan Festival is free and sure to be a vibe. Don’t miss out on the party.
Kansas City has some world-class museums that are worth exploring in your downtime, but if you want to just relax with a cocktail or beer there are plenty of options that can compete with the best of them.
We hope you enjoy your time in our fair city!
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