FIFA World Cup 2026™ Kansas City
Heritage & Cultural Identities Events
KANSAS CITY'S CULTURAL PLAYBOOK
Kansas City has a remarkable cultural identity shaped by frontier history, immigrant communities, the fight for freedom and an arts scene that punches well above its size. These are the heritage institutions, cultural exhibitions and history museums that tell the story of the Heartland.
SOCCER THEMED EXHIBITIONS
"The Beautiful Game" at National WWI Museum and Memorial
This exhibition reveals the deep connections between soccer and World War I, when nations recruited citizen armies through football and soldiers played in the trenches. The exhibit is on display at the very site of the FIFA Fan Festival™.
This exhibition reveals the deep connections between soccer and World War I, when nations recruited citizen armies through football and soldiers played in the trenches. The exhibit is on display at the very site of the FIFA Fan Festival™.
GOAL! at Lawrence Arts Center
An exhibition celebrating the international soccer tournament and the welcome infusion of cultural diversity into the Midwest. Artists from around the country have designed their very own “team jersey” as an act of welcoming our international visitors.
An exhibition celebrating the international soccer tournament and the welcome infusion of cultural diversity into the Midwest. Artists from around the country have designed their very own “team jersey” as an act of welcoming our international visitors.
"The World in Kansas City" at Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Through August 9, 2026, a free exhibit featuring more than 16 artists with diverse global backgrounds who all live in the KC metro creating works about migration, belonging and social connection. A direct celebration of the international community already here.
Through August 9, 2026, a free exhibit featuring more than 16 artists with diverse global backgrounds who all live in the KC metro creating works about migration, belonging and social connection. A direct celebration of the international community already here.
AMERICA 250 HISTORY EXHIBITIONS
"Americans" Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition
Humanities Kansas is bringing a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition to Kansas through July 2026, exploring the stories and identities of people who have called America home across 250 years.
Humanities Kansas is bringing a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition to Kansas through July 2026, exploring the stories and identities of people who have called America home across 250 years.
"Declaration 1776" Traveling Exhibition
A Gilder Lehrman Institute exhibit on the Declaration of Independence as “The Big Bang of American Democracy” touring more than 47 Kansas cultural institutions from January through December 2026, appearing at museums, libraries and schools throughout the World Cup summer.
A Gilder Lehrman Institute exhibit on the Declaration of Independence as “The Big Bang of American Democracy” touring more than 47 Kansas cultural institutions from January through December 2026, appearing at museums, libraries and schools throughout the World Cup summer.
Eisenhower Library "Round America" + "Ike's Work"
The National Archives' "Round America" exhibit runs June 1 through July 5, and "Ike's Work" opens for summer 2026 at the library of the Kansas president who said, “I come from the very heart of America.” Located approximately two hours from Kansas City.
The National Archives' "Round America" exhibit runs June 1 through July 5, and "Ike's Work" opens for summer 2026 at the library of the Kansas president who said, “I come from the very heart of America.” Located approximately two hours from Kansas City.
Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics America 250
Explore special exhibits in the Elizabeth Dole Gallery, including "Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy," "Kansas in 1776," and "Spirit of '76," plus a June 29 conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Beverly Gage on her book This Land is Your Land, tracing 13 key places in American history.
Explore special exhibits in the Elizabeth Dole Gallery, including "Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy," "Kansas in 1776," and "Spirit of '76," plus a June 29 conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Beverly Gage on her book This Land is Your Land, tracing 13 key places in American history.
"United We Play: Kicking It with the Trumans"
The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library's new exhibition features hundreds of artifacts connecting the Trumans and Kansas City's sports teams, including the Chiefs, Monarchs, Royals, Sporting KC and KC Current, alongside rarely seen memorabilia like the ball Truman used to inaugurate the Kansas City A's.
The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library's new exhibition features hundreds of artifacts connecting the Trumans and Kansas City's sports teams, including the Chiefs, Monarchs, Royals, Sporting KC and KC Current, alongside rarely seen memorabilia like the ball Truman used to inaugurate the Kansas City A's.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
American Jazz Museum
Kansas City built one of jazz's defining chapters. Immerse yourself in the story with recordings, instruments and film, while the Blue Room club next door hosts live performances most evenings.
Kansas City built one of jazz's defining chapters. Immerse yourself in the story with recordings, instruments and film, while the Blue Room club next door hosts live performances most evenings.
Fort Leavenworth & Buffalo Soldier Monument
The first U.S. Army fort west of the Mississippi, Fort Leavenworth remains active today and is home to the Buffalo Soldier Monument honoring the Black cavalry regiments who served here. This monument is a profound piece of American military and racial history that connects to the region's narrative of freedom.
The first U.S. Army fort west of the Mississippi, Fort Leavenworth remains active today and is home to the Buffalo Soldier Monument honoring the Black cavalry regiments who served here. This monument is a profound piece of American military and racial history that connects to the region's narrative of freedom.
Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area
The border region where Bleeding Kansas played out in the 1850s. This national heritage corridor connects America's 250th birthday to some of its most contested questions. For international visitors wanting to understand American democracy, this is an essential regional experience.
The border region where Bleeding Kansas played out in the 1850s. This national heritage corridor connects America's 250th birthday to some of its most contested questions. For international visitors wanting to understand American democracy, this is an essential regional experience.
Mutual Musicians Foundation
The oldest continuously operating Black-owned jazz venue in the United States, open Friday and Saturday nights for late-night jam sessions beginning around midnight.
The oldest continuously operating Black-owned jazz venue in the United States, open Friday and Saturday nights for late-night jam sessions beginning around midnight.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Discover the story of the Kansas City Monarchs, Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and the Black entrepreneurs who built a parallel baseball universe against systemic opposition. One of the most powerful sports history experiences in America.
Discover the story of the Kansas City Monarchs, Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and the Black entrepreneurs who built a parallel baseball universe against systemic opposition. One of the most powerful sports history experiences in America.
Nelson-Atkins Museum
Free and open daily, with five acres of world-class outdoor sculpture anchored by Claes Oldenburg's giant shuttlecocks — one of the most beloved public art installations in America.
Free and open daily, with five acres of world-class outdoor sculpture anchored by Claes Oldenburg's giant shuttlecocks — one of the most beloved public art installations in America.
Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center
A preserved 1887 Victorian home in Kansas City, Kansas, celebrating Eastern European immigrant communities, particularly Croatian and Slovenian families, who helped shape Wyandotte County.
A preserved 1887 Victorian home in Kansas City, Kansas, celebrating Eastern European immigrant communities, particularly Croatian and Slovenian families, who helped shape Wyandotte County.
There’s even more to discover across the Kansas City region. From shopping and dining to attractions and outdoor activities, check out all of the things to do in the Heartland.
