Kansas City-area businesses are getting a World Cup boost as thousands of soccer fans pour into the metro, with some bars extending hours until 5 a.m. to meet demand.The economic impact was on display Wednesday at the first One World Wyandotte Street Festival in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, where fans gathered to celebrate the tournament and watch matches. The festival is one of several World Cup-themed events drawing visitors from around the world to the region.At Up-Down KC in the Crossroads Arts District, the crowds have been nonstop since Argentina’s opening-match victory Tuesday night.”It’s a lot, but we’re here for it,” bartender Katie Vallee said.The arcade bar was packed with soccer fans after Lionel Messi’s hat trick helped Argentina defeat Algeria in Kansas City’s first-ever World Cup match. Vallee said the tournament has brought a new energy to the city.”It’s been really awesome to see the energy change in this city, all the different cultures kind of intertwining and adjusting to be in America,” she said.The crowds have been so large that the bar temporarily ran out of Modelo beer.”People love Modelo,” manager Will McDaniel said with a laugh.Up-Down is one of 16 Kansas City bars participating in a program that allows them to remain open until 5 a.m. during the World Cup. McDaniel said the extended hours bring additional challenges.”There’s a big difference between people at 1:30 in the morning and 4:30 in the morning,” McDaniel said. “The main priorities are keeping people happy and keeping people safe.”McDaniel said the bar has seen crowds comparable to major Chiefs playoff games, but the World Cup creates a different kind of demand because the tournament stretches across several weeks.”It’s one day and probably four hours of the day for an AFC championship or Super Bowl,” McDaniel said. “This is going on a month long and going later. It’s going all day instead of just four hours. It’s that on steroids.”Beyond the business boost, McDaniel said the biggest surprise has been the visitors themselves.”The people from out of the country have been incredibly nice and pretty respectful,” he said.Additional World Cup watch parties are planned throughout the week, including Friday’s match between the United States and Australia.
Kansas City-area businesses are getting a World Cup boost as thousands of soccer fans pour into the metro, with some bars extending hours until 5 a.m. to meet demand.
The economic impact was on display Wednesday at the first One World Wyandotte Street Festival in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, where fans gathered to celebrate the tournament and watch matches. The festival is one of several World Cup-themed events drawing visitors from around the world to the region.
At Up-Down KC in the Crossroads Arts District, the crowds have been nonstop since Argentina’s opening-match victory Tuesday night.
“It’s a lot, but we’re here for it,” bartender Katie Vallee said.
The arcade bar was packed with soccer fans after Lionel Messi’s hat trick helped Argentina defeat Algeria in Kansas City’s first-ever World Cup match. Vallee said the tournament has brought a new energy to the city.
“It’s been really awesome to see the energy change in this city, all the different cultures kind of intertwining and adjusting to be in America,” she said.
The crowds have been so large that the bar temporarily ran out of Modelo beer.
“People love Modelo,” manager Will McDaniel said with a laugh.
Up-Down is one of 16 Kansas City bars participating in a program that allows them to remain open until 5 a.m. during the World Cup. McDaniel said the extended hours bring additional challenges.
“There’s a big difference between people at 1:30 in the morning and 4:30 in the morning,” McDaniel said. “The main priorities are keeping people happy and keeping people safe.”
McDaniel said the bar has seen crowds comparable to major Chiefs playoff games, but the World Cup creates a different kind of demand because the tournament stretches across several weeks.
“It’s one day and probably four hours of the day for an AFC championship or Super Bowl,” McDaniel said. “This is going on a month long and going later. It’s going all day instead of just four hours. It’s that on steroids.”
Beyond the business boost, McDaniel said the biggest surprise has been the visitors themselves.
“The people from out of the country have been incredibly nice and pretty respectful,” he said.
Additional World Cup watch parties are planned throughout the week, including Friday’s match between the United States and Australia.
