Four national teams have selected Kansas City as their home base to train and prepare for the big games. This means we can expect to see soccer practices, increased media attention, more people and an uptick in activity across the metro. While much of the focus will be near stadium sites, anyone who lives here knows that major events ripple throughout our entire city.
As evident during last year’s Chappel Roan concerts, traffic can quickly escalate when it comes to major events. This summer will be unlike anything our city has ever seen before.
The good news? We don’t have to wait until the games are here to prepare.
One of the simplest ways to reduce congestion and stress is by rethinking how we move around town. Programs like WAY TO GO, operated by the Mid-America Regional Council, connect commuters to carpool matches, transit options, biking resources, and flexible work strategies to help locals avoid the headaches.
If a small percentage of us traded one weekly drive-alone trip for transit, carpooling, biking, or remote work, the impact would add up quickly:
- Fewer cars in bottlenecks
- Less headaches about parking
- Increased air quality
- More time for yourself
The World Cup is a big moment of pride for our region, but also an opportunity to show off what sets Kansas City apart from any other city in America. Preparing now means we can show up as welcoming, organized, and ready when the world arrives at our front door – not overwhelmed.
You don’t have to make dramatic changes. Small shifts in your commute can lay the groundwork and make a difference.
As March launches us into Ozone Season, now is a good time to try swapping one aspect of your commute. Try it and see how it feels.
