If you had told me a decade ago that a Midwestern city famously known for “low and slow” brisket would become the heartbeat of England’s2026 World Cup ambitions, you might have been met with scepticism.
Yet, as the FIFA World Cup approaches – June 2026 – the England FA has chosen Kansas City, Missouri as the home of the Three Lions for the entire tournament. After I visited recently , just as pre-World Cup excitement was reaching fever pitch, the decision made total sense.
Kansas is a city with a deep-seated, almost fanatical devotion to sport and offers a world-class infrastructure that rivals any European capital.
Swope Soccer Village
When Harry Kane and the squad touch down, they will be headquartered at Swope Soccer Village, a state-of-the-art facility nestled within the 1,800-acre greenery of Swope Park. For generations, this ground has been a “launchpad for legends”. Once the training home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, it has been transformed into a soccer mecca with nine professional-grade pitches (both natural grass and synthetic) and a 7,000-square-foot high-performance hub.
Fans will find themselves in a city that recently built CPKC Stadium—the first stadium in the world purpose-built for a professional women’s sports team (the KC Current). With local icons like Patrick Mahomes investing in the “other” football, the energy here is infectious. Kansas City doesn’t just host sports; it elevates them.
Kansas City is set to host six matches, including four group stage games, a Round of 32 match, and a quarterfinal, all of which will be held at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (rebranded as Kansas City Stadium for the duration of the tournament). Amongst the teams will be Argentina (Messi effect) and the Netherlands. Smaller nations like Curacao and Algeria will be in town, where, based on the dynamic pricing model, tickets should be available at much lower prices.
The city’s National WWI Museum and Memorial area will transform into the official FIFA Fan Festival. This sprawling downtown site is set to be the city’s “front porch,” hosting up to 25,000 fans at a time for free match screenings on massive 45-foot video boards, live music across two stages, and local BBQ showcases.
Access is designed to be effortless. The festival site sits at a nexus of the city’s transit lines, just a short walk from Union Station and the KC Streetcar (you see them everywhere), which is free to ride and connects the major downtown hotel districts.
For those staying further afield, the dedicated ConnectKC26 bus service will offer direct “Region Direct” motorcoach routes from 15 sites across the metro area straight to the festival gates. Fans will enter through the “KC Heart Gateway,” a massive 65-foot heart-shaped arch, making it impossible to miss the entrance to what promises to be the largest party the Midwest has ever seen.
However, the World Cup, with 48 teams, is a marathon, not a sprint. While the players focus on recovery and tactics, what will the staff and the thousands of England supporters do with their downtime?
The Rhythm of the City: A Jazz Renaissance
If London has its West End and Nashville has its Country, Kansas City has a “swing” all its own. In the 1920s and 30s, the city was “wide open,” allowing a unique, riff-based style of jazz to flourish in late-night speakeasies. For supporters looking to unwind after a high-stakes match, the live music scene is the city’s greatest hidden gem.
Start at 18th & Vine Jazz District. By day, it’s home to the American Jazz Museum, where you can see, amongst many things, Charlie Parker’s saxophone. By night, it transforms into a living stage. The Blue Room, located within the museum complex, functions as a working jazz club. The atmosphere is intimate, and the talent is world-class. On a Monday, the “Blue Monday” jam sessions are legendary.
Then head to the Green Lady Lounge in the Crossroads Arts District. Walking inside feels like stepping onto a film set: velvet red walls, mid-century lamps, and thankfully, no televisions to distract from the music. It’s open 365 days a year, often featuring large Hammond organs played in trios that keep the “KC Swing” alive until 3:00 am.
If you have the stamina of a box-to-box midfielder, the Mutual Musicians Foundation is the ultimate “after-hours” destination. Since 1930, musicians have gathered here after their regular gigs to jam into the sunrise. On Friday and Saturday nights, the music doesn’t even start until 1:00 am and carries on until 5:00 am. It’s a raw, authentic piece of history that most tourists never see.
A Taste of Victory: The BBQ Capital
The scent of hickory and oak smoke hangs over the city like a welcoming fog. For England staff or fans seeking the ultimate comfort food, Kansas City barbecue is a rite of passage. This isn’t just food; it’s a city identity.
To understand the craft, visit the newly opened Museum of BBQ at Crown Centre, the world’s first museum dedicated to the “four pillars” of the pit: Meat, Sauce, Wood, and Fire. It’s not a large museum, so allow an hour to become an expert and then put it into practice. Arthur Bryant’s and Gates Bar-B-Q are the cathedrals of the cuisine, where the service is fast, and the “burnt ends” (the fabulous, tasty, flavourful, charred tips of a brisket) are world-famous.
For a more refined “sit-down” victory dinner, Fiorella’s Jack Stack at the Freight House offers a more sophisticated take on smoked meats that pairs perfectly with a local craft beer or one of their speciality cocktails.
National WWI Museum and Memorial
In the quiet moments between the roar of the crowds, the impressive National WWI Museum and Memorial offers a place for reflection. It ranks alongside the Imperial War Museum in London and that, in my opinion, is no faint praise. The city skyline is dominated by the Liberty Memorial Tower, a 217-foot spire that offers the most breath-taking panoramic view of the Missouri landscape.
Entering the museum over a glass bridge suspended above 9,000 silk red poppies is a moving experience that connects the American heartland to global history—a fitting stop for international travellers.
Such is the appreciation that Kansas gives to those who gave everything in the ‘Great War’, the first sign you see are the dates of the conflict, 1914-1919. This is in recognition of those who passed away due to the battles, but sometimes after the guns had been silenced.
Value and Accessibility
Perhaps the most “fan-friendly” aspect of Kansas City is its accessibility. While the World Cup will undoubtedly see a surge in demand, KC remains one of the most affordable major hubs in the U.S.
Boutique hotels in the Crossroads Arts District offer high-end comfort and proximity to the jazz clubs at a fraction of the cost of cities like New York, Miami or LA. MCI, the international airport, is also well placed to serve travelling fans with approximately 350 arrivals and departures each day direct to over 50 cities.
Whether you’re scouting the training grounds at Swope Park, losing yourself in a 4:00 am jam session, or queuing for the perfect rack of ribs, Kansas City offers an authentic, unhurried welcome.
For the Three Lions and their faithful followers, it is hoped that it will be a winning choice.
STAY: Kansas City Marriott Downtown, located in the heart of downtown Kansas City- Rooms from $150.
GET THERE: Fly into Kansas City International Airport (MCI) which is the primary hub for the region, often accessed via connections in cities like Chicago, Dallas, or Atlanta.