Kansas City Built a Small Business Playbook for the World Cup: How to Keep Using It Year-Round

Short answer: Ahead of the World Cup, Kansas City created readiness checklists, a full small business playbook from KC BizCare, the KC Game Plan from KC2026 and the City of Entrepreneurs at Union Station. City leaders want that work to become a long-term economic development tool, not a one-off. Businesses that got their websites, listings, payments and marketing ready for the tournament already have the foundation for steady growth. The next step is putting it to work every week.

01What's happening

• A playbook and checklists. KC BizCare created business readiness checklists and a long-form playbook, "Rules of the Game," framed around the World Cup, according to the National League of Cities.
• KC Game Plan. KC2026 launched the KC Game Plan with a readiness assessment and tools for local businesses, with support from the Missouri SBDC and Kansas Department of Commerce.
• Built to last. At the Open Doors! event in May 2026, city leaders said they hoped the City of Entrepreneurs initiative becomes a long-term tool, KCUR reported.
• Long-term thinking. Local leaders urged businesses not to treat the World Cup as a single payday, Startland News reported.

Turn readiness into routine

The same checklist that prepared you for global visitors works for everyday customers:

1. Listings are accurate everywhere customers look.
2. Your website works on a phone and makes booking or ordering easy.
3. Payments are easy, including mobile and online options.
4. You capture contact details so customers can be reached again.
5. You know which marketing works because it's tracked.

The playbook

1. Keep your Google profile active

Weekly posts, fresh photos, accurate hours and steady reviews keep you visible between big events. See local SEO.

2. Use what you built for visitors

Multilingual menus, maps and signage still help international visitors and residents who prefer another language. Before the tournament, local marketers urged businesses to engage diverse audiences, including the Hispanic market, Startland News reported.

3. Build a calendar beyond one tournament

Chiefs and Royals games, Current matches, concerts, conventions and First Fridays all bring crowds. Plan offers and targeted ads around them.

4. Grow your list every week

Emails and text opt-ins from every customer, followed by useful offers and updates. Automated follow-up keeps it consistent.

5. Show up in AI recommendations

Visitors and locals ask AI tools where to go in Kansas City. Clear information and helpful content raise your chances. See AI search visibility.

What to measure

Google profile actions, bookings and orders by source, list growth, event-week revenue and repeat-customer rate.

See how we work with Kansas City businesses.

FAQ

What is the KC Game Plan? A KC2026 initiative with a readiness assessment and tools to help local businesses prepare for World Cup visitors and benefit afterward.

Where can Kansas City small businesses get help? KC BizCare, the City of Entrepreneurs at Union Station, and the Missouri and Kansas small business development centers offer support.

How do I keep momentum after a big event? Keep listings active, follow up with customers you met, and plan marketing around Kansas City's year-round event calendar.

Sources

• National League of Cities: Energizing the KC BizCare small business support ecosystem
• KC2026: KC Game Plan launch
• KCUR: Kansas City previews World Cup small biz energy with Open Doors! event (May 2026)
• Startland News: World Cup and small business panel