For years, Kansas City has known its place as the Soccer Capital of the Summer. This summer proved it in spectacular fashion.
Throughout June and July, the city welcomed thousands of fans from across the globe for six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, proving its place as one of the nation’s premier athletic communities.
Now, the tournament has concluded, but the commitment to competition—and a love of the beautiful game—are still on full display. Here are eight ways to experience Kansas City’s unmatched soccer culture.
Sporting KC
The area’s Major League Soccer team has been competing in KC since 1996. After three decades of play, two MLS Cup victories and a key role in establishing Kansas City as a premier U.S. soccer destination, a Sporting KC match is still an essential experience in the Heart of America.
Secure your place in the stands for the rest of the season with Sporting KC’s Back Half Bundle. The package includes access to 10 remaining home matches for the price of five, along with additional benefits.
Kansas City Actual
History is on display during every KC Current match at CPKC Stadium. The world’s first stadium purpose-built for a professional women’s sports team showcases top-tier talent and a committed fanbase, delivering an unforgettable gameday atmosphere.
For those who haven’t yet seen the region’s National Women’s Soccer League team in action, there’s time to join the crowd throughout the rest of 2026. Six more home matches in the regular season offer plenty of opportunity to witness it all firsthand, and with new developments at Current Landing, there are even more ways to experience the Berkley Riverfront district beyond match days.
Kansas City Comets
Even if you’re already a regular at Sporting Park and CPKC Stadium, there’s still more soccer action in store, with the Kansas City Comets taking the pitch at Independence’s Cable Dahmer Arena. The professional indoor team competes in the Major Arena Soccer League, with a regular season that runs from November to March.
Known for its league-leading attendance and consistent playoff appearances, the team promises a high-energy outing for anyone in search of a novel way to experience KC soccer.
Recreational Competition
Ready to get in the game? Sporting KC provides year-round chances for adult recreational competition through its Sporting Adult Leagues.
The team facilitates leagues in two locations across the region: Central Bank Sporting Complex in the Northland and Compass Minerals Sporting Fields in KCK. Eight-game seasons take place across the spring, summer and fall. Participants are invited to select from three divisions, signing up either as a team or a free agent.
Youth Soccer
For young fans who have already been playing for years and those who found their interest piqued during this summer’s tournament, Kansas City’s pro teams offer chances to refine skills and participate in friendly competition.
This spring, the KC Current launched a no-cost youth soccer league for girls in partnership with U.S. Soccer, Kansas City Parks & Recreation and the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association. The inaugural season serves girls from 8 to 10 years old and features an eight-week schedule, with matches taking place each Saturday. Interest for the 2027 season is currently being accepted.
Sporting KC offers a series of soccer programs and camps throughout the year, designed for children up to 14 years old at locations across the Midwest. The club’s youth programming also features tournaments, leagues and some of the region’s premier soccer facilities.
Soccer Bars
Even if you’re not in the stands, you can be part of the energy. A series of breweries, bars and other venues throughout the region are known as gathering places for soccer fandoms at every level—from casual to diehard.
No Other Pub in the heart of the Power & Light District is the official sports bar of Sporting KC. It has enough TVs to keep an eye on all the action, along with bowling, billiards, shuffleboard and many more games.
Just outside, the KC Live! Block regularly hosts thousands of fans for electric watch parties. Gatherings at the Live! Block have been shown on countless global broadcasts, reinforcing the pre-eminence of Kansas City’s fan community.
In the River Market, Strange Days is known for its extended hours on Premier League match days, opening early in the morning to show every minute of the action.
The Dub is Kansas City’s women’s sports bar. On Kansas City Current match days and more major moments throughout soccer season, The Dub guarantees a viewing experience surrounded by other passionate fans of top-tier women’s competition.
Explore more soccer bars across the Kansas City area—along with a few places to shop for merch as you prepare to cheer on your team of choice.
The Beautiful Game
The National WWI Museum and Memorial delivers unparalleled views of the city, and inside, visitors will find an expansive collection of stories from the First World War.
The iconic structure also has clear ties to the game of soccer. Its grounds served as the site of Kansas City’s Official FIFA Fan Festival™ this summer, and inside, there’s a temporary exhibit exploring the presence of the sport throughout World War I.
The Beautiful Game examines the significant historical role that soccer played as the world faced an unprecedented global conflict. It was a rallying cry, a morale-raiser and an escape for those affected by the demands of wartime. Both at home and abroad, soccer held a meaningful place in everyday life.
Ted Lasso’s Kansas City
Major league matchups aren’t the only way to see Kansas City soccer on the screen. Season 4 of Ted Lasso premieres on Aug. 5, and the first episode was shot in the Heart of America.
The new season revolves around the titular character—played by Jason Sudeikis, a real-life native of the Kansas City area—returning to southwest London to coach a women’s soccer team. Of course, there’s no better place to begin the journey than in a city that boasts a history-making venue for women’s athletics.
While most of the episode’s details are yet to be revealed, the cast was seen filming scenes at notable locations including CPKC Stadium, Gates Bar-B-Q and the Country Club Plaza.
