The FIFA World Cup is coming to America, Canada, and Mexico in the summer of 2026. It is the first time three countries have played host to the international tournament, which is going to be the largest in the history. For the first time, 48 teams will compete for the trophy after a total of 104 matches. This is a huge increase over the 32 games and 64 matches played in 2022.
GHEA field at Arrowhead will host six matches, including a quarterfinal. This means our region will experience the impact of the event longer than most of the other 16 host cities. The first game of the tournament will kick off June 11, 2026 in Mexico, and the final match will be played on July 19, 2026 in New York/New Jersey. See the details of tournament schedule here.
Think Big
Big American events pale in comparison to the World Cup. From a tourism perspective, the estimates are for every Superbowl ticket holder, an additional FIVE people come in to the region. World Cup estimates are four times that - for every World Cup ticketholder, TWENTY people come into market. It is hard for us to grasp the number of visitors coming to the country and our region to participate either directly or indirectly in the tournament and its festivities.
Lawrence as a Possible Base Camp Site
Teams come to the host countries a few weeks in advance to acclimate, practice, and prepare for their matches. They set up “base camps” to serve as a home away from home for their team, coaches, managers, nutrition staff, family, and friends.
Team managers receive a catalog from FIFIA with sites for possible basecamps. They rank the sites, and are assigned to them as the qualifying rounds playout. The first version of the catalog was sent out in June, and Rock Chalk Park was among the first twenty site options around the country from which managers could choose. With 48 teams coming, many more base camp sites will be offered.
In the event Lawrence chosen as a base camp, our city will host a team, its support staff, and its fans for as long as the team is alive in tournament play. We won’t have confirmation on whether we’re chosen as a site until late 2025, and even then, we won’t know which team we will be hosting until the Spring of 2026.
Lawrence Gets Ready
Base camp or not, the effect on Lawrence will be immense. We can expect our hotels, restaurants, roads, and retail establishments filled with visitors. FIFA estimates each base camp brings an additional 15,000 people.
A minimum of three days between matches gives visitors in Kansas City or surrounding cities ample time to day-trip to Lawrence to see all we have to offer. FIFA anticipates cities within a 2.5 hour range of a match site to expect an influx of visitor.
There are many aspects to ensuring the event goes well and both visitors and residents have a safe, fun, and memorable few weeks. Explore Lawrence will be convening meetings among community leaders and city champions to make sure we are prepared for our time on the international stage.
Lawrence has risen to many challenges in its history, and we are confident we will lean in to our unmistakable hospitality to welcome the world to our city in 2026.