Where to stay for the World Cup in Kansas City
Kansas City hosts a slate of FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Arrowhead Stadium (officially GEHA Field at Arrowhead), the cathedral-like NFL venue about 9 miles east of downtown. If you're planning a Kansas City World Cup trip, the catch is that Arrowhead sits in a sea of parking lots with very few walkable hotels, so most fans base themselves downtown and ride a match-day shuttle out. Below we cover where to stay near Arrowhead Stadium, how to get there without fighting for one of the few parking spots, and honest guidance on when to book hotels and flights into MCI. We track resale ticket prices, we don't sell tickets, so this is straight travel planning.
Hotel links go to booking partners (we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you); flight links are free, non-commission tools. We track ticket prices — we don't sell travel.
Where to stay near Arrowhead Stadium
The default base for World Cup visitors: walkable bars, BBQ, and the free RideKC Streetcar, plus the FIFA Fan Festival nearby at the National WWI Museum. It's about a 15-minute drive or a match-day shuttle ride to Arrowhead. Hotels like Loews KC, the Hilton President, and Hotel Kansas City sit here.
Just south of downtown and on the streetcar line, the Crossroads is the artsy, restaurant-heavy neighborhood and a designated ConnectKC26 shuttle pickup point (via the Crossroads garage). Roughly 15 minutes from the stadium and great for an evening-out vibe.
An upscale Spanish-architecture shopping and dining district about 10-15 minutes south of downtown, suited to travelers who want a quieter, higher-end base. You'll rideshare or drive to the stadium, so factor in match-day traffic.
There are a handful of budget chain hotels within a short drive of the stadium and near park-and-ride lots like Graceway in Raytown and Independence Center. The area isn't pedestrian-friendly or lively, but it's the closest you'll get and convenient if you just want to be near the gates.
Getting to Arrowhead Stadium
The smart play is the ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct shuttle: round-trip tickets run about $15, buses loop roughly every 20 minutes, and they run from the FIFA Fan Festival and four park-and-ride lots (Graceway in Raytown, Independence Center, North Kansas City, and Oak Park Mall in Overland Park). Arrowhead normally has 20,000 parking spaces but only about 3,000-4,000 will be available on match days, with FIFA lot prices starting around $125-150 per car, so driving is the expensive, congested option. Rideshare drop-off and pickup zones are available but expect surge pricing and slow exits.
Airports
Kansas City International (MCI) is the main gateway, about 28-31 miles northwest of Arrowhead and roughly a 35-40 minute drive in normal traffic. There's no rail link, so plan on rideshare, a rental car, or hotel transfers from the airport.
When to book
Kansas City has a far smaller hotel inventory than other host cities, so downtown rooms on World Cup match dates will sell out and spike well before kickoff; book as soon as your match is confirmed rather than waiting. Midweek non-match nights are calmer and cheaper, and flights into MCI tend to climb in the weeks before each fixture, so lock in airfare early too.
World Cup matches at Arrowhead Stadium
FAQ
Stay downtown or in the Crossroads. Both are on the free RideKC Streetcar, walkable for food and nightlife, and are pickup points for the ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct shuttle, so you can reach Arrowhead and the Fan Festival without driving.
Use the ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct shuttle (about $15 round-trip) from the Fan Festival or one of four park-and-ride lots. Buses run continuously about every 20 minutes and drop you at the stadium, avoiding the scarce and pricey on-site parking.
Kansas City International (MCI) is about 28-31 miles from Arrowhead, roughly a 35-40 minute drive. There's no train, so budget for rideshare or a rental car.
There's no rail or regular city bus to the stadium itself; the World Cup answer is the dedicated ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct shuttle network from downtown and suburban park-and-ride lots.