Thinking about hosting or expanding for World Cup? Start planning now

Published on December 19, 2025

World Cup trophy and soccer ball sitting on turf field

The FIFA World Cup 26™ is set to bring a surge of visitors, energy and economic opportunity to the region in summer 2026, including Lenexa. The City expects a sharp rise in requests from residents, local businesses and out-of-town operators looking to participate — especially for activities outside normal day-to-day operations such as vacation rentals, commercial pop-ups and special events. Planning in advance will help avoid delays once the crowds arrive.

What to get a head start on

The Kansas City-hosted matches won’t take place until June and July, but many permits require detailed applications, safety reviews, inspections and coordination across City departments. As the tournament approaches, high demand will likely extend review times and reduce availability for venues, public spaces and inspections. To keep projects on track, start preparing now for:

Home rental licenses if you plan to rent out homes or rooms to visitors on a short-term basis.
Business licenses for businesses operating in commercial spaces, or home occupation licenses for businesses run out of your home.
Commercial certificates of occupancy, including for businesses subleasing or co-locating with another business.
Special event permits for hosting large gatherings like watch parties; temporary alcohol licensing or extension of premise licensing; or operating as a temporary pop-up vendor to sell food or merchandise.
Park special event permits for events held in City parks that need more space than a rented park shelter provides. (Note that Lenexa won’t approve any permits for June 12–July 12, 2026.)
Food truck requirements for those planning to operate mobile food services from a vehicle or trailer.

Where to begin

Find guidance and application timelines on the City’s website. Start conversations with staff early — especially for larger or more complex events — to understand which approvals may be required. Contact Community Development Licensing & Permitting staff at 913.477.7725 or permits@lenexa.com.

FIFA World Cup 26™ resources

Pitch Lenexa

PitchLenexa.com

Hosting watch parties in Lenexa City Center on June 12, June 25 and July 11, 2026. Learn more about events, membership and volunteer opportunities.

Johnson County United

JohnsonCountyUnited.com

A centralized countywide resource featuring events, special transit routes and celebratory swag.

KC2026

KansasCityFWC26.com

Metro-wide information including matches in Kansas City, visiting teams, the FIFA Fan Festival™, regional activities and World Cup merchandise.

FIFA®

Fifa.com

Global World Cup coverage with match schedules, international events and official merchandise beyond the Kansas City region.