When the World Cup arrives in Kansas City, the Royals hope to join in the fun
Kansas City is poised for a tourism boost when the FIFA World Cup arrives in June and July. And the Royals have a message for those coming to town.
Take me out to the ballgame.
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.
World Cup games are scheduled at Arrowhead Stadium — to be known as Kansas City Stadium during the competition — on June 16 (Argentine vs. Algeria), 20 (Ecuador vs. Curacao), 25 (Netherlands vs. Tunisia) and 27 (Algeria vs. Austria).
Also, Kansas City hosts a round of 32 game on July 3 and a quarterfinal on July 11.
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.
More than 600,000 people are estimated to visit Kansas City for the World Cup, and the Royals are open for business. There’s even a City Connect scarf giveaway, along with fireworks on June 19.
“If there are going to be 600,000 people here, the goal is to make sure they know there’s a Royals game, and know how you get here,” said Cullen Maxey, Royals president of business operations.
It’s 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.
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.
And although baseball’s popularity in the nations that will be in Kansas City doesn’t compare to America’s, two of the countries — Netherlands and Great Britain — fielded teams in the World Baseball Classic. And Curacao is the home nation of Andruw Jones, just elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“We’re trying to work with all the teams that are going to be here,” Maxey said. “Teams are going to need days off.”
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?
“We’d love to have them meet some of our players,” Maxey said. “I think they’d value that, and our players would value that.”
In addition to taking over Arrowhead for the games, FIFA will use plenty of space in the Truman Sports Complex parking lot. Maxey doesn’t see that as a big issue for Royals fans. Parking for season-ticket members won’t be affected.
Some could end up parking in lots farther away then what the Royals normally use.
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.
“What a great opportunity for someone, even if they’re not traveling from outside the country, to see Midwestern hospitality at a baseball game,” Maxey said.
This story was originally published April 6, 2026 at 1:46 PM with the headline "When the World Cup arrives in Kansas City, the Royals hope to join in the fun."