Fans driving by Sporting Park have noticed construction taking shape inside the stadium, and officials say the project will be finished well before Kansas City welcomes the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer.
Kansas City is scheduled to host four group-stage matches, and excitement is already building across the metro. A reader recently submitted photos of the Sporting KC venue — formerly known as Children’s Mercy Park — asking what the work was for and how it ties into the global tournament.
At the Kansas City, Kansas facility, crews are developing a 90,000-square-foot outdoor plaza designed to host concerts, gameday celebrations and a variety of community events.
Rob Thomson, Sporting KC’s spokesperson, said in 2025 the construction is in partnership with architecture firm Populous and Turner Construction.
The plaza will feature a stage and video board, new entry gates, a “Champions Walk” sidewalk entry, and new lighting, Thomson said.
Construction is expected to be completed in May, a month before the first game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium kicks off between Algeria and Argentina in the group stages.
While the project is on track to wrap up ahead of the World Cup, supporters attending Sporting KC matches this spring may encounter temporary disruptions. Portions of the stadium will be blocked off during the club’s seven home games between February and May as crews finalize the plaza and surrounding improvements.
The new gathering space is envisioned as more than just a matchday amenity. City leaders see it as a central hub for watch parties, concerts and cultural programming tied to the six World Cup games slated for Arrowhead Stadium.
Sporting KC is building a 90,000 square-foot outdoor plaza to host concerts, game-day fun and other community events ahead of the six 2026 FIFA World Cup matches scheduled in Kansas City Sam Zvirgzdins
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The 90,000 square-foot outdoor plaza in the process of construction at Sporting Park will host concerts, game-day fun and other community events, like watch parties for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Provided Sam Zvirgzdins
Beyond match hosting, the region is positioning itself as a training destination for international teams. Sporting KC’s practice facility, the Compass Minerals National Performance Center, has been selected as one of three local base camp options.
Reports indicate that Argentina will prepare there in its quest to defend the World Cup title. The Netherlands are expected to base operations at the Kansas City Current’s facility, while England is planning to train at Swope Park. Algeria is reportedly set to use Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence.
These preparations underscore how deeply the tournament will be woven into the metro’s sports landscape, bringing thousands of visitors and global attention.
The Star’s Sofi Zeman contributed to this report.
Local officials and Sporting KC executives say the plaza is meant to serve the community long after the final whistle of the World Cup. The flexible venue is expected to support youth tournaments, festivals and civic events, adding a year-round destination to the stadium district.
By investing in permanent infrastructure rather than temporary installations, Kansas City hopes to leave a lasting legacy project that strengthens its reputation as a premier soccer market in North America.
Originally reported by Joseph Hernandez in Kansas City.
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