World Cup Recap: Stories and Stats from Kansas City

Officially past the halfway mark of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Kansas City is shining on a global stage. Here are some highlights from the past two weeks:

Largest Oranje Fanwalk in the US
While rainy weather caused Fan Fest to close early Thursday, Netherlands fans did not let it stop the celebration of their team before they took on Tunisia. An estimated 36,000 Dutch fans took part in the Oranje Fanwalk and paraded from the Power and Light district to Union Station, marking it as the largest Fanwalk in the country.

Kansas City Leads the Nation in World Cup Viewership
Out of all the host cities in the United States, Kansas City is the most tuned in. With a 3.8% rating and a 16 share, viewership in Kansas City is ahead of Boston, Austin, Dallas and San Diego. (Source: Fox Sports)

Airport Traffic Exceeds Holiday Rush Times Six
The Kansas City International Airport (MCI) has seen over 20,000 daily outbound travelers six times over the course of the World Cup; The equivalent of six peak Thanksgiving travel days in two weeks.

Local Creators Draw Global Audience
The City of Entrepreneurs Marketplace at Union Station saw more than 14,000 visitors this past weekend, making it the busiest yet since opening June 11.

KC Streetcar Breaks Record Twice in Two Weeks
As Algeria and Austria faced off in Kansas City on Saturday, the KC Streetcar had its highest ridership day in system history, with 48,260 passenger trips. This new ridership peak tops the previous record, made just two weeks ago, by nearly 10,000 passenger trips.

Social Media Loves Kansas City, and the Feeling Is Mutual
Beyond local festivities, the excitement continues to grow online. Here are some favorites from the City's recent social media posts:

• Instagram : A drone-shot video over FIFA Fan Festival drawing over 800,000 views and 15,000 likes.

• Facebook : A reel featuring the Dutch Orange Bus visit to City Hall drawing over 400,000 views and 10,000 likes.

• Instagram : A video compilation of some of the positive comments Kansas City has received from travelers drawing over 100,000 views and 10,000 likes.