KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri is one of 23 cities included in the North America 2026 World Cup Bid.
The final host cities in Canada and Mexico are already solidified but the host cities in the U.S. still need to be narrowed down. Out of the 17 U.S. cities, only 10 will get to host matches as part of the tournament. That final decision is expected in 2021.
If Kansas City is chosen as one of the host cities, the matches would be held at Arrowhead Stadium. We sit on the smaller side of the cities on the list when it comes to population with 481,420 people. Arrowhead Stadium holds 76,416 fans and is about 15 minutes outside of the downtown. Right now, there are 5 hotels within two miles of the stadium. The only public transportation option to Arrowhead right now is by bus.
Here’s a look at how the contenders compare to Kansas City.
Atlanta, Georgia
Population: 486,290
Mercedes-Benz Stadium can hold up to 71,000 fans. The stadium is located downtown and there are currently 30 hotels within walking distance. Atlanta has city-wide rail and bus systems and a partnership with Lyft.
Baltimore, Maryland
Population: 614,664
M&T Bank Stadium is downtown and can house 71,006 people. There are 34 hotels within two miles of the stadium and there are several public transportation options including bus, light rail, train and subway.
Boston, Massachusetts
Population of 673,184
Gilette Stadium is just over 20 miles outside of downtown Boston. The stadium can hold 65,878 people but it is expandable up to 70,000. There are 5 hotels within two miles of the stadium and there is an MBTA train.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Population of 298,800
Paul Brown Stadium is right downtown and holds 65,515 but is expandable up to 67,402. There are around 25 hotels in a two-mile radius of the stadium. The public transportation options in the city are riverboats or shuttles.
Dallas, Texas
Population:1.3 million
AT&T Stadium holds 80,000 fans and is located 20 miles outside of downtown Dallas in Arlington, Texas. Within two miles of the stadium there are currently 26 hotels. Public transportation options include shuttle, bus, light rain and train.
Denver, Colorado
Population: 693,000
Sports Authority Field at Mile High holds 76,125 people but can be expanded to 77,595. The stadium is downtown and there are 30 hotels within two miles. Public transportation options include BroncosRide shuttle, federal shuttle, light rail and Denver trolley.
Houston, Texas
Population: 2.3 million
NRG Stadium is 10 miles outside of downtown Houston. The facility holds 71,795 people and can expand to hold 72,220. Within two miles of the stadium there are about 30 hotels and the public transportation options include METROrail and taxis.
Los Angeles, California
Population: 10.2 million
Rose Bowl stadium holds the most fans of all the contending facilities at 92,000 people. Within 15 minutes of the stadium, there are 36 hotels and there are several bus services and a metro rail for public transportation.
Miami, Florida
Population:463,000
Hard Rock Stadium can hold 64,767 people and can expand to hold up to 67,518 people. The stadium is about 20 minutes outside downtown Miami. There are 11 hotels within a 20-minute drive to the stadium. Public transportation options include trains, streetcars and buses.
Nashville, Tennessee
Population: 667,000
Nissan Stadium is just outside downtown Nashville and holds 69,143 people. The facility can expand to hold 75,000. Right now there are 40 hotels with a 20-minute drive of the stadium. Public transportation options include trains, buses and streetcars.
New York City, New York/Rutherford, New Jersey
New York City Population: 8,622,698
Rutherford Population: 19,000
There are 16 hotels within a 5-minute drive of MetLife Stadium. The stadium is located just outside Rutherford, New Jersey and across the Hudson River from inner New York City. MetLife can hold 82,500 people and can expand to hold 87,157 people. Public transportation includes trains, buses and streetcars.
Orlando, Florida
Population: 280,000
Camping World Stadium has a capacity of 60,219 people and is expandable up to 65,000. There are 18 hotels within a 15-minute drive of the stadium. The facility is outside of the downtown area and there are bus and rail line options for transportation.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Population: 1.6 million
Lincoln Financial Field has a capacity of 69,176 and can expand to hold up to 69,328. The stadium is outside of the downtown area. There are public transportation options including bus, rail and trolley. Right now there are two hotels within a 5-minute drive of the stadium with the rest of the hotels in downtown Philadelphia.
San Francisco, California
Population: 884,000
Levi’s Stadium can hold 86,500 fans and is expandable up to 75,000. Right now there are 30 hotels within a 10-minute drive of the stadium which is nearly an hour drive outside the downtown core. Public Transportation services include light rail, bus and shuttle services.
Seattle, Washington
Population: 725,000
CenturyLink Field can hold 69,000 people and can expand to hold 72,000. The stadium is just outside of the downtown area and the 28 hotels available are located downtown, about a 10-minute drive. Public transportation services include light rail, monorail and bus services.
Washington D.C.
Population: 694,000
FedEx Field has a capacity of 82,000. The stadium is outside of the downtown area about a half hour drive by car from downtown. There are 10 hotels within a 5-minute drive of the stadium and there are public transportation services including Metrorail and shuttle services.
A final decision on the 10 U.S. host cities will be made in 2021.
