CALLING KANSAS CITY SMALL BUSINESSES

Kansas City is hosting the World Cup, and visitors from around the world are coming with one big question:

“What should we do while we’re here?”

We’re building a Kansas City World Cup Guide that highlights the best local spots to eat, drink, shop, explore, and experience while fans are in town, and we want local businesses front and center.

If you’re a Kansas City small business and want to be featured in the guide, fill out the form below. This guide will be shared with out-of-town visitors, relocating families, and locals hosting friends during the World Cup.

Who this is for

Homegrown restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shops, attractions, event spaces, creatives, experiences, and anything that makes KC feel like KC.

What to expect

Selected businesses will be featured in our World Cup content and guide. Submission does not guarantee placement, but every entry will be reviewed with care.

Kansas City is about to be on a global stage. Let’s make sure visitors experience the real city, not just the stadium.

👀 This Week Around KC

• 🚗 MISSOURI LAWMAKERS CONSIDER RAISING RURAL INTERSTATE SPEED LIMITS​​
  Missouri lawmakers are debating legislation that would raise rural interstate speed limits from 70 to 75 miles per hour. Supporters say many drivers already travel at these speeds and argue that modern vehicles and road design make higher limits reasonable. Opponents, including safety advocates and state troopers, point to Missouri’s higher-than-average traffic fatality rate and warn that increased speeds typically lead to more severe crashes. The proposals are still early in the legislative process and would not take effect until late 2026 if approved.​
• 🛒 KANSAS CITY SELECTS NEW OPERATOR FOR PROSPECT AVENUE GROCERY STORE​​
  Kansas City has chosen a new operator for the former Sun Fresh Market location on Prospect Avenue, aiming to reopen the long-vacant grocery store by spring. The store closed in 2025 after financial challenges, leaving a major gap in food access for East Kansas City residents. City leaders worked with neighborhood groups to select an experienced grocery operator focused on long-term stability. The reopening is part of broader efforts to restore essential services, support local jobs, and strengthen economic activity along the Prospect corridor.
• ✈️ KANSAS CITY EXPANDS AIR SERVICE AHEAD OF THE 2026 WORLD CUP​
  Kansas City International Airport is expanding air connectivity ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Temporary nonstop flights from Argentina are planned to bring fans directly to Kansas City for tournament matches. In addition, United Airlines has announced a new daily nonstop route from Kansas City to Los Angeles beginning in 2026. City and airport officials say the added flights will boost tourism, improve international access, and strengthen Kansas City’s role as a global event host.
• 🏗️ BLUE SPRINGS MOVES FORWARD WITH MAJOR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION​​
  Blue Springs will begin a major downtown revitalization project this spring, funded by voter-approved bonds. The project includes rebuilding Main Street, widening sidewalks, upgrading lighting, and improving streetscapes to make the area more walkable and business-friendly. The city has also acquired nearby properties to support future mixed-use development, including new housing and retail. City leaders say the improvements are designed to create a more vibrant downtown and support long-term growth.
• 🏢 KANSAS CITY CHANGES ZONING RULES TO LIMIT NEW DATA CENTERS​​
  Kansas City has approved new zoning regulations that make it harder to build large data centers without public review. The changes require special permits for most new data centers and restrict where they can be located, particularly near residential and neighborhood areas. The move follows community concerns about energy use, water demand, and land use impacts. City officials say the new rules bring data centers in line with broader planning goals and ensure more oversight of future projects.
• 💻 KANSAS CITY NAMED A 2025 DIGITAL INCLUSION TRAILBLAZER​​
  Kansas City has been recognized nationally as a 2025 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer for its efforts to close the digital divide. The designation highlights the city’s work expanding free internet access, offering digital skills training, and distributing devices to residents without reliable technology. Programs operated through community centers and partnerships with nonprofits and private companies were key factors in the recognition. City leaders say digital access is essential for jobs, education, healthcare, and civic participation.

What you might have missed last week

• For the third year in a row, KC chefs and restaurants have been named James Beard Award semifinalists, with appearances in 2024, 2025, and now 2026, plus a recent national win along the way.
• J. Rieger & Co. is calling on bartenders across the country to step into the spotlight with its 2026 Road to Jerez cocktail competition, a national challenge centered on creativity, sherry influence, and Kansas City Whiskey.
• Kansas City’s rumored role as a World Cup base camp hub would be a major win far beyond match days.

🏢 DEVELOPMENT SCENE

A First Look at Kansas City’s Next Big Live Music Destination

Kansas City is getting a major new outdoor concert venue this summer, and the Morton Amphitheater in Riverside is offering an early glimpse at what’s coming.

New video and renderings show a 16,000-seat amphitheater designed to feel immersive from the moment fans arrive, with thoughtful details woven throughout the entrance, green space, and main stage area. Led by newly named general manager Tim Burris, the venue is positioning itself to attract large touring acts that haven’t traditionally stopped in the Kansas City market, while also offering a wide range of experiences—from general admission seating to premium spaces like the Vinyl Room, which will feature chef-driven food, elevated cocktails, and prime stage views.

As construction continues, the focus is now on opening day, when the amphitheater officially welcomes fans and debuts what leaders believe will be a one-of-a-kind music experience for the region.

​T​AKE A LOOK AT THE FOOTAGE HERE ➡️

🚙 THE KANSAS CITY RV SHOW

The Kansas City RV Show returns January 23–25, 2026 at the Kansas City Convention Center, bringing together everything you need to explore RV life under one roof. The show fills more than 300,000 square feet with the latest motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and camper vans, plus camping and outdoor vendors and expert-led seminars on towing, trip planning, and RV ownership.

It’s designed for everyone from first-time RV shoppers and weekend travelers to seasoned road trippers looking to upgrade. Instead of bouncing between dealerships, you can walk through dozens of models, talk directly with dealers, and get real answers about what fits your lifestyle and budget.

Hours are 9 AM–8 PM Friday and Saturday and 9 AM–4 PM Sunday. Families are welcome, with free admission for kids 5 and under and discounted tickets for kids 6–12, and tickets are available online or at the door. If road trips, national parks, or flexible travel are on your radar this year, this is the place to start planning.

🌿COMMUNITY SCENE

What’s Giving Kansas City Hope Right Now?

Lately, it feels harder than ever to write something lighthearted or hopeful. The news is heavy. The noise is loud. And it can feel like everything good gets buried.

So we want to try something different.

We’re collecting stories about people in our city who are creating positive change, big or small. Quiet acts. Community moments. Creative work. Mutual aid. Chosen family. Showing up when it matters. The kind of good that doesn’t always make headlines but absolutely shapes the place we live.

This isn’t about pretending hard things aren’t happening. It’s about making space for hope alongside them.

If you know someone doing something meaningful, or if you’ve witnessed a moment that reminded you why this city matters, we want to hear it.

You can submit a story, a name, or even just a short note. We’ll take it from there.

Because hope doesn’t come from ignoring reality. It comes from seeing what’s still possible within it.

🏐 SPORTS SCENE

Peter Mallouk Becomes Majority Owner of Sporting KC in $700M Deal

Peter Mallouk, a current minority owner of Sporting Kansas City, has purchased a majority stake in the MLS club from the Illig family, raising his ownership to 80% based on a $700 million valuation.
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The Illigs, who have owned the team since 2006 and led its rebranding and stadium development, will continue managing daily operations and representing the club on the MLS board. Sporting KC, a founding MLS franchise, has seen recent struggles including a last-place finish in the Western Conference and the departure of longtime coach Peter Vermes, who was replaced by Raphael Wicky earlier this month.
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The sale is part of a broader trend of major investments and ownership changes across MLS, reflecting growing valuations and interest in the league.

🎯 REAL ESTATE SCENE

​SPONSORED BY MOVING TO KC​

Leawood Story-and-a-Half with Spacious Living and Charming Details

Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac in desirable Leawood, this story-and-a-half home combines classic comfort with thoughtful updates for effortless everyday living. With 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and a versatile fifth room perfect for a main-floor office or extra bedroom, the layout adapts to fit your lifestyle.

Inside, a large, light-filled family room sets the stage for movie nights and weekend gatherings, while a welcoming living room anchored by a cozy fireplace provides a relaxing retreat. The expanded kitchen shines with quartz countertops and ample space for cooking, serving, and connecting. Hardwood floors span the main level, and fresh paint throughout creates a clean, move-in-ready feel across more than 2,300 square feet.

Outside, expansive front and side porches invite morning coffee, evening wind-downs, or catching up with friends. A spacious backyard patio is ideal for grilling, entertaining, or simply enjoying the outdoors. With minor foundation work recently completed (documentation available), this home offers peace of mind alongside comfort and style.

Just minutes from top Leawood amenities, dining, and highways, this cul-de-sac gem blends warmth, functionality, and everyday convenience in a highly sought-after neighborhood.
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🏡 Property Overview

Address: 2404 W 86th Ter, Leawood, KS 66206

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square Footage: 2,313 sq ft

Lot Size: 10,234 sqft

📞 Ready to see it in person?
​Take a closer look at the details, and let’s get your tour scheduled!​

Listing Provided by: Duke Frye | KW KANSAS CITY METRO

At Loans in KC, we understand that every financial situation is unique. That’s why we offer personalized loan solutions designed to meet your specific needs. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing you with fast and reliable service.
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Mortgage rates change constantly, much like the weather, and they vary depending on your unique circumstances. Just like finding the right tool for a job, getting the right mortgage rate is crucial. Let us help you discover the perfect match with a FREE customized quote today! You’re not just another number to us; you’re part of the family.

🌆 This Weekend in Kansas City!