Kansas City is known for barbecue and the Chiefs, but a new sport is taking the spotlight.
In recent years, soccer has grown from a small interest to one of the city’s biggest sports, led by Sporting Kansas City, the rise of the KC Current and the city’s upcoming role as a 2026 World Cup host.
Soccer’s popularity boosted around 2011, when Sporting KC was rebranded and relocated to Children’s Mercy Park. It surged again in 2021 with the debut of the KC Current, and the team became one of the highest-profile teams in the National Women’s Soccer League.
For some students, soccer’s rise has been impossible to ignore. Cameron Ayoade, a freshman business management major, said he’s seen friends who never cared about soccer become regular viewers.
“I’ve been loving the growth in soccer these past few years,” Ayoade said. “Friends I never thought would be interested are watching games now. Being a World Cup host city will bring huge exposure and better facilities, but I don’t think soccer will ever fully replace our main traditions. It just needs time.”
That excitement is visible not only among professional teams but beyond them. Delfina Zolesio, a sports management major, said she sees more kids playing the sport than ever before.
“A few years ago, kids played football or baseball in the park,” she said. “Now I see them playing soccer everywhere. Sporting KC and the Current made the sport more fun to watch, and the World Cup will help Kansas City share that passion with the world.”
That energy is also visible on college campuses. Mateus Moura, a senior accounting major, said interest in soccer has also spread to UMKC.
“The growth of soccer in KC has been really exciting to see,” Moura said. “More people even come to our UMKC games now. I don’t think soccer has passed football or barbecue, but it’s part of the city’s identity.”
For others, the rise of soccer feels like part of Kansas City’s cultural shift. Mackenzie Harris, a senior psychology major, said the city’s soccer success adds to its identity, but doesn’t define it.
“When I think of Kansas City, I think of barbecue, the Chiefs and the Nelson-Atkins Museum,” Harris said. “Kansas City has built a strong soccer culture, especially with the World Cup coming. But I don’t think we should limit ourselves to being the ‘Soccer Capital’ since we have so much more to offer.”
Still, some students remain cautious about the city’s readiness for global attention. Kalani Taylor, a junior psychology major, said Kansas City still has work to do before welcoming World Cup visitors.
“I think we’re on the rise to become America’s soccer capital,” Taylor said. “Before hosting the World Cup, we need to make sure the city’s safety and infrastructure are ready.”
