Clock is ticking on World Cup 2026: Small businesses urged to prepare before this buzzer-beater
March 7, 2025 | Taylor Wilmore
A massive influx of visitors are expected next year when more than 600,000 fans descend on Kansas City for its piece of the FIFA World Cup 2026 prize, but potential roadblocks lie ahead for small business owners who are waiting for the action instead of preparing now to capitalize on it, said local leaders.
Tracy Whelpley, director of regional impact for FIFA World Cup Kansas City, speaks to a crowd at CPKC Stadium, gathered to talk about World Cup preparations; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Tracy Whelpley, director of regional impact for FIFA World Cup Kansas City. “We have to think beyond just the event itself and consider how we can set up our businesses and communities for long-term success.”
Kansas City’s Small Business Task Force recently played host to a roundtable conversation at CPKC Stadium to discuss readiness for the coming surge of potential customers to local restaurants, retail stores, transportation services, and entertainment venues.
The region is expected to see $650 million in economic impact from the month-spanning games, according to local and federal leaders.
While FIFA organizers are planning an activation in Kansas City for June — a year before the games begin locally on June 11, 2026 — small businesses should be asking how they can come together and start engaging in other ways, said Nia (Richardson) Webster, assistant director of Neighborhood Services Department, which oversees the KC BizCare Office among other operations.
She noted entrepreneurs should be looking to activate “all the way up to Day 1.”
Key ways businesses can get involved include:
- Hosting events and watch parties: Creating welcoming spaces for fans to gather, whether in bars, restaurants, or even community areas.
- Expanding hours and services: Adjusting hours to accommodate international visitors who may be on different schedules.
- Offering culturally inclusive experiences: Businesses are encouraged to consider bilingual signage, international menu options, and culturally relevant marketing to engage a diverse audience.
- Leveraging strategic partnerships: Local businesses can work together or partner with larger brands to maximize exposure and resources.
- Tapping into available funding and training: The Small Business Task Force proposed a $4.4 million package to prepare businesses for the World Cup, including $500,000 for small business marketing and outreach.
“If businesses can collaborate with major brands, local chambers, and event organizers, they’ll be in a much better position to capitalize on this opportunity,” Webster said.
Click here to learn more about FIFA World Cup-related business opportunities.
RELATED: What comes after the World Cup? Leaders ponder KC’s next phase (and how to get there)
Ryan Williams, a representative from the consulting group Third Eye Network, leads a roundtable discussion at CPKC Stadium about small business owners’ needs ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
The concerns: communication and security
While the opportunities are clear, businesses are also facing significant challenges. A major concern is communication; many owners feel left out of key discussions and are unsure how to get involved.
“I think that’s one challenge I’m seeing a lot,” Webster said. “Everybody has something they’re working on, directories, apps, and events, but how do we bring all of these things together instead of creating new ones that make it even harder to navigate?”
Solutions mentioned during the roundtable included a designated welcoming committee for visitors to tour local small businesses, a social media page or app for World Cup events featuring KC influencers, and even Airbnb hosts providing guests with lists of nearby recommended businesses.
Security remains another issue. Businesses worry about managing large crowds, potential property damage, and ensuring customer safety. The city’s Back to Business Fund helps businesses with security costs, and Webster noted leaders are pushing to expand it.
“We currently have the Back to Business Fund, which gives businesses up to $5,000 for security improvements,” she said. “We’re advocating to extend that through the World Cup and maybe beyond.”
RELATED: $20M project expected to remove key barrier to unlocking 18th & Vine vibrancy: parking
Nia (Richardson) Webster, assistant director of Neighborhood Services Department, smiles during a roundtable discussion about preparing small businesses for the 2026 World Cup in Kansas City; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Get active
With just over a year to go, business owners can get involved now, Webster emphasized.
The city is working on a centralized online portal where entrepreneurs can find information, register for events, and connect with other entrepreneurs. Additional town halls and networking sessions are also in the works.
“This is not just about the matches,” Whelpley said. “It’s about leveraging the World Cup to build Kansas City’s global presence. We need to create moments throughout the city where both visitors and locals feel engaged.”
Featured Business
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Designed with minimal parking, KC Current wants you to carpool to team’s next home match
A just-announced tech tool aims to help KC Current fans make sustainable and affordable transportation an easier choice on matchday as the hometown team continues a string of development wins at its new riverfront stadium. Current Carpool — a new feature from the free WAY TO GO trip planning and carpool matching app — connects…
Crossroads small biz owners to Royals: Come back with a better plan (and put it in writing)
It didn’t have to be this way, said Crossroads business owners, blaming Tuesday’s failed stadium sales tax initiative on what they viewed as a lack of transparency and legally binding agreements, too many last-minute deals and changes, and a disregard for community input. Most, however, hope the conversation isn’t entirely finished. Jackson County voters this…
These founders just earned Digital Sandbox KC funds; next comes proving their concepts
A trio of newly funded Digital Sandbox KC companies includes a closely-guarded startup launched by an exited Pipeline founder who also helped bring headline-grabbing sports tech to the forefront of the Kansas City innovation scene. Mission Hills, Kansas-based Chemniscient (pronounced kemʹniSH(Ə)nt) is currently operating confidentially and is not disclosing any product information to the public…
Voters hand Royals, Chiefs a resounding defeat on sales tax that would’ve funded stadium projects
Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. The 3/8th-cent sales tax extension would have helped build a new Kansas City Royals stadium downtown as well as fund renovations…