This summer, Kansas City made worldwide headlines as a FIFA World Cup 2026™ host city, introducing fans from across the world to the hospitality of the heartland. Along the way, visitors encountered only-in-KC cultural experiences that made their time in the Midwest feel authentic to the region and entirely unforgettable.
See the places where Kansas City’s creative culture has been on full, vibrant display during the biggest event the community has ever hosted. Then, start exploring the ways to elevate your next gathering with assistance from the city’s experts in art, cuisine and more.
Local dining
Kansas City’s restaurants always impress guests. From world-famous smoked meats to more upscale and unexpected plates, the dining landscape is an essential part of every KC experience.
The city’s official FIFA Fan Festival™ featured culinary touches from nearly two dozen local restaurants. Scoops from Betty Rae’s Ice Cream, Midwestern comfort food from Rye and barbecue from several legendary locations—including Arthur Bryant’s, Char Bar and Jack Stack—made appearances on the event’s menu.
These popular picks, along with many other KC purveyors, have years of experience serving groups and can bring local flavors to your event. Browse the tastes that have shaped Kansas City’s showing as a host city and see how to add them to your own gathering:
- Bring a caffeination break to your event with a mobile coffee vendor like Phase 2 Coffee or Fika Coffee, the on-site supplier at England’s national team base camp throughout the tournament. For global inspiration, turn to Café Corazón. The popular shop with Argentine roots became a central gathering place for fans following Messi’s appearances throughout the summer.
- Plan an intimate (and KC-inspired) meal at one of the restaurants that introduced the region’s cuisine to the world. Locations like Rye and Jack Stack Barbecue offer impressive private spaces for groups. Plus, they’re located along the KC Streetcar line, making it convenient to arrive.
- Take your on-site dining experiences to a new level. Storia Fine Catering delivered culinary experiences at KCHouse, a private space on Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza designed to welcome officials and business executives visiting from across the world.
- Finish with a sweet touch. An ice cream truck from Betty Rae’s Ice Cream can bring an assortment of flavors, both classic and unconventional, to your event. Donutology specializes in custom donuts for groups, offering the perfect way to personalize your attendees’ dining experience.
Pop-up shopping
The Heart of America has an entrepreneurial spirit that resonates with first-time visitors and lifelong fans alike. In fact, this summer brought the debut of the City of Entrepreneurs Marketplace at Kansas City’s Union Station.
A limited-time setup directly adjacent to the FIFA Fan Festival™ grounds, the marketplace put more than to 100 local vendors on display to guests from around the world. Jerseys, T-shirts, postcards and many more collectible items gave fans the perfect way to take home a keepsake from their once-in-a-lifetime sports experience in KC.
Many of the region’s most beloved retailers make it easy to source high-quality and customized products for every need, whether you’re a soccer fan looking to show your spirit or a meeting planner seeking gifts for VIP attendees. Check out a few ways to infuse Kansas City’s innovative, locally inspired retailers within your event:
- Host a custom shopping experience with the Strawberry Swing. The curators, who were central within the City of Entrepreneurs Marketplace, can arrange appearances from a selection of local vendors. They’re also skilled in producing hands-on activities that range from custom holiday ornament stations to build-your-own-bouquet bars.
- Elevate your gifts for speakers, sponsors and attendees at Made in KC. The standout destination for local goods has locations across the Kansas City area, where shelves are filled with everything from high-end chocolates and locally distilled spirits to fashionable ballcaps. The company also makes gifting convenient with thoughtful boxes for sports fans, coffee lovers and more.
- Show off your newfound affection for the city through Charlie Hustle, known for T-shirts emblazoned with the iconic KC heart. This summer’s special edition tees showcased flags from the countries that took the pitch in Kansas City, marrying local pride and global influence. Charlie Hustle’s everyday selection features a lineup of classic colors and ongoing collaborations with local philanthropies.
Creative events
The expertise of event producers and creative professionals at every level was essential for an event taking place at unprecedented scale. Meet a few of the contributors who made Kansas City shine on the world stage.
Kansas City’s Populous was at the heart of the FIFA Fan Festival™ that attracted several hundred thousand visitors and made countless impressions on social media. The architectural design firm also worked extensively on venues hosting matches this summer. With a vast portfolio of work in Kansas City and beyond, Populous brings a unique expertise in large-scale festivals and sporting events.
Many of the summer’s events were powered by Platinum XP, a full-service production agency in KC. From audio/visual services to branding and fabrication, the company’s creative experts transformed several of the city’s popular spaces into limited-time experiences for fans, VIP guests and more soccer-oriented attendees.
England made its base camp in Kansas City for the duration of the tournament. To keep fans updated from across the pond, the Three Lions needed a custom content studio, so Fare created a set for the team inspired by late-night American television. It went on to welcome players for conversations reaching millions of fans via the team’s official social media channels.
Art and music
Kansas City’s creativity is apparent on stages and screens across the region. Preview just a few of the many places where local artists contributed a distinct, imaginative flair to the summer-long celebration.
Local graphic designer Jadie Arnett produced Kansas City’s official FIFA World Cup 2026™ host city poster. After being selected through a design contest, her concept appeared on jerseys, soccer balls and other memorabilia in addition to the printed work.
She also designed a custom postcard as a keepsake for attendees at Visit KC’s Annual Tourism Outlook and appeared on stage during the event, painting a larger-than-life version of the postcard’s artwork in real time.
Fashion designer Whitney Manney created a custom fabric installation for KCHouse by repurposing textiles from local upcycling centers. Designed to honor countries appearing in the tournament, the finished product hung suspended in the two-story foyer of the VIP hosting space.
KC-based muralist Sike Style created a custom football helmet to commemorate the six matches played at Kansas City’s stadium. It made an appearance on FIFA’s official social media channels and joined a lineup of custom-painted works gifted to celebrities following their appearances in KC, from Beyoncé to Caitlin Clark.
There’s also a steady supply of live entertainment available in the Paris of the Plains. The FIFA Fan Festival™ welcomed performances from dozens of local musicians during the 19-day event.
Across a variety of genres and skill sets, Kansas City’s talent can bring new artistry to your next event.
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The region’s creative capabilities are endless, with the ability to be scaled across events of all sizes. Whether you’re looking to facilitate a private gathering with personal touches or a large-scale citywide celebration, the KC community has the resources to make it happen.
Visit KC’s convention services staff is here to make the proper recommendations and facilitate connections with local providers. Get in touch with our team and see how the vibrant culture of the heartland can enhance your next event.
