KANSAS CITY, Mo. — While KC2026 chalks up Tuesday as an overall success, the organization addressed delays and frustration some fans experienced while trying to get to Kansas City Stadium for Tuesday night’s match, which featured Argentina and Algeria.
In a statement Wednesday, KC2026 said delays and frustration were due to "operational constraints" that "created congestion that affected all modes of transportation arriving at the venue."
As stadium entry operations are primarily the responsibility of FIFA, KC2026 said it has shared recommendations that should improve the experience on Saturday for Ecuador vs. Curaçao.
The full statement reads:
"Yesterday was a historic day for Kansas City as the region hosted its first-ever FIFA World Cup match. The excitement was felt from watch parties across the metro to a record-setting day at the FIFA Fan Festival™ Kansas City to Lionel Messi's history-making performance at KC Stadium in front of a global audience.
"While the day was an extraordinary success overall, we recognize that some fans experienced significant delays entering the stadium complex and understand the frustration that created. Transportation systems successfully moved fans throughout the region and to the stadium area. The primary challenge occurred at stadium entry, where operational constraints created congestion that affected all modes of transportation arriving at the venue. While decisions regarding stadium entry operations primarily rest with FIFA, based on yesterday’s experience, KC2026 and its partners have provided specific recommendations to improve operations ahead of Saturday's match."
In a similar vein, the office of KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas said the city will continue to work with World Cup partners to ensure a smooth experience for fans.
“While we’re proud of all the successes Kansas City had yesterday during a global showcase for our community, the city will over the days ahead continue to work with our local organizing committee, KC2026, other regional agencies, and FIFA, our stadium and Truman Sports Complex manager during the World Cup, to ensure commute times and entry and exit points are safe, efficient, clearly marked, and reliable for future matches via any method of transportation," Lucas' statement read.
KSHB 41 News reporter Charlie Keegan reached out to FIFA for information. The agency said it would reply within 14 days.
Mayor Lucas told Keegan he is optimistic fans will notice improvements at Saturday's game.
“If you’re not getting better every day, what are you doing? I absolutely expect Saturday to be better,” Lucas said.
FIFA officials provided the following statement to KSHB 41 News on Thursday.
This strong operational outcome was made possible through the close collaboration of FIFA, venue operations teams, local authorities, transportation partners and KC2026. FIFA and organisers will continue to work closely together to ensure that lessons related to traffic and transportation coordinated with local partners and access to the stadium precinct are learned ahead of the next matches and reiterate the request for fans to arrive early and enjoy the complete fan stadium programming. For FIFA, delivering the best possible experience for fans remains the utmost priority.
In real-time, many fans posted about their woes on social media, bemoaning long lines and traffic while using ConnectKC26 buses to get to the game.
KC2026 responded promptly Tuesday by saying organizers were aware of the delays and were working with “transport partners to restore normal operations as quickly as possible, ensuring the safe passage of all attending fans."
Due to long lines at the park-and-ride location at Graceway Church, some fans chose to walk to the stadium.
Councilman Jonathan Duncan experienced the gridlock firsthand during his 2 1/2 hour ride from the Plaza to the stadium. He says communication between agencies needs to improve.
“I remain hopeful that between now and the next match, we can implement some corrections to fix the traffic issue. It has to happen," Duncan said.
KSHB 41’s Fernanda Silva used public transportation to get to the game. You can watch her experience below.
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