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World Cup Hits Half Time

Kansas City’s contribution to the World Cup reaches its halfway point this week.

Thursday’s Netherlands-Tunisia match is Game 3 of six at Kansas City Stadium, making it a natural time for a progress report: How are we doing?

First up: Have we solved the traffic headaches around the stadium?

The biggest test may come on Thursday in the only Kansas City game that kicks off during rush hour. A 6 p.m. start means soccer fans heading to the stadium will be competing for road space with thousands of commuters trying to get home.

Meanwhile, are local businesses cashing in?

The scorecard appears mixed. Sports bars and B-B-Q joints report packed houses, while other retailers and restaurants say business has been slower than usual, with complaints that their local customers are staying away. In Kansas City, Kansas, officials have even canceled the remaining World Cup watch parties at Memorial Hall after disappointing turnout.

Still, a few pre-tournament predictions haven’t aged well. Fears of half-empty stadiums have proven unfounded. And while tens of thousands are attending matches in person, Kansas Citians are watching from home too. Nielsen says Kansas City is the nation’s top television market for Team USA matches.

In Other Cup News …

• Get ready for an orange invasion downtown Thursday. Dutch fans will flood the streets for their signature Orange Walk from Power & Light to the FIFA Fan Fest, led by the famous orange double-decker bus brought over from the Netherlands. The parade of super fans starts at 12:15 p.m.
• Team USA is back under the lights Thursday night, facing Turkey in Los Angeles at 9 p.m.
• Kansas City hosts its fourth World Cup match Saturday as Algeria takes on Austria. The 9 p.m. kickoff is the latest start for any of the World Cup games in Kansas City.
• Sixteen teams will be sent home Saturday as the World Cup group stage ends. The “win-or-go-home” knockout round starts Sunday.

Last Week Reviewed

Stadium Expansion

The Kansas City Council is poised to greenlight a $235 million bond package Thursday to expand CPKC Stadium. The owners of the KC Current want to boost capacity from 11,500 to 18,000 seats, citing surging ticket demand and an opportunity to host bigger international events, including the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The proposal lands as City Hall is already asking voters to authorize up to $1.7 billion in borrowing through five separate questions on the August ballot. Those bonds would bankroll everything from sewer upgrades and affordable housing to long-delayed repairs at major civic venues like Bartle Hall and Municipal Auditorium.

With borrowing requests piling up, some are questioning whether Kansas City is stretching its credit card a little too far.

First Votes Cast in August Primary

That was fast…

The first votes of the August primary election will be cast this week.

Missouri opens in-person absentee voting Tuesday, while military and overseas ballots are already making their way back to election offices.

Voters have a lot to sort through. Depending on your address, there could be up to nine questions on your ballot. Missouri voters will consider four constitutional amendments, from eliminating the state income tax to overhauling the century-old initiative petition process. Kansas voters will weigh in on whether Supreme Court justices should be directly elected.

Last Laugh Before the Lights Go Out

Comedian Bill Maher will accept the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday, the final curtain call at the Kennedy Center before the iconic venue shuts down for a two-year renovation.

Watch, See and Do in Kansas City …

The World Cup may be delivering global soccer stars, but they’re not the only headliners drawing crowds across Kansas City this week.

• The region’s biggest country music party returns Thursday as Country Stampede takes over Azura Amphitheater for three days. Rascal Flatts and Tracy Lawrence headline what will be the festival’s final Kansas City appearance before it relocates to Wichita next year.
• The new Morton Amphitheater is making a strong case for busiest stage in town. MGK, Wiz Khalifa and the Dave Matthews Band are all stopping by this week.
• And ribs and brisket are the headlining stars at the 42^nd annual Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, starting Friday. More than 150 teams are firing up their grills for bragging rights as the best barbecue in Kansas.

Nick Haines tracks the week’s most impactful, confusing and downright head-scratching local news stories on Week in Review, Friday nights at 7:30 p.m. on Kansas City PBS.