Is Rural Ready for the 2026 World Cup Visitors?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing the world to Kansas City—and to the rural communities beyond. With over a half a million visitors expected in just a few weeks and only so many hotel rooms available in Kansas City, the ripple effects of this massive event will be felt far and wide—including right here in our rural region.
This is an Unprecedented Tourism Surge
From June 6 to July 11, 2026, Kansas City will host six FIFA World Cup matches, including a quarterfinal, welcoming fans, teams, media, and event staff from 48 nations. But here’s the real game-changer:
The World Cup is the largest sporting event on the planet, with over 50 billion viewers globally—and thousands of those spectators will be coming in person.
Hotels in Kansas City are expected to hit full capacity fast, meaning fans, media, and even teams (with base camps being considered in the area) will seek accommodations well beyond the metro—up to 2.5 hours away and beyond.
European visitors, in particular, take month-long vacations, meaning they won’t just be here for one game—they’ll stay, travel, and explore before and after match days.
Why Our Region is Prime for Visitors
With Kansas City at the center of this tourism boom, our region is perfectly positioned for visitors on the move—especially with another huge tourism draw right after the World Cup: the Route 66 100th Anniversary Festival in August 2026.
- Springfield, MO, and the Route 66 Festival will bring additional thousands of tourists eager to explore the historic highway.
- Branson, MO, a major entertainment hub, will attract visitors looking for family-friendly fun, live music, and outdoor recreation.
- Our communities sit between Kansas City and these key destinations, making us an ideal stop for World Cup travelers looking for places to stay, eat, and experience small-town hospitality.
How Local Rural Businesses & Communities Can Benefit
This is a huge economic opportunity for our rural businesses and tourism partners. Whether you own a hotel, Airbnb, restaurant, event venue, or attraction, or you’re thinking about hosting events in your town, now is the time to prepare for a surge in visitors.
- Accommodations: Rural hotels, bed & breakfasts, and Airbnbs can expect increased demand, and new short-term rental opportunities could open up.
- Restaurants & Retail: A larger-than-usual tourist crowd means more customers looking for great food, unique shops, and local experiences.
- Community Events: Towns along the Kansas City-Springfield-Branson corridor can plan festivals, farmer’s markets, or special events to attract more visitors and boost local sales.
- Outdoor & Cultural Attractions: Parks, historic sites, wineries, and local attractions could see higher foot traffic from travelers exploring beyond the city.
New Growth is Here to Help
We know this once-in-a-generation event will bring incredible opportunities—but only if we plan ahead. New Growth this working with state and regional tourism boards to connect businesses and communities with the resources they need to prepare.
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✅ Need help preparing? Our Women's Business Center offers one-on-one business counseling to help you develop a strategy for attracting and serving this wave of visitors.
📩 Sign up now and get ahead of the opportunity!
The world is coming to Kansas City. Let’s make sure they find their way to our rural communities, too!