Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, U.S.A., is one of the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The prestigious stadium, with a capacity of 76,416, is one of the largest in the country.
Currently, Arrowhead Stadium is ranked the 25th-largest stadium in the USA based on capacity.
This post delves deeper into the details of the venue, particularly what makes it ideal for hosting the World Cup. We also take a look at teams that currently call the stadium home, including FIFA World Cup matches scheduled to take place in Kansas City.
Who plays at Arrowhead Stadium?
Arrowhead Stadium is currently the home of the NFL side, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have risen to prominence in recent years thanks to the brilliance of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes is widely considered the best American Football player on the planet. The Chiefs have won three Super Bowls in the last five years.
The popularity of Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs squad has put Arrowhead Stadium in the spotlight, with several huge playoff games taking place at the stadium in recent years.
On the MLS side, the Kansas City Wizards also played at Arrowhead Stadium from 1996 to 2007 before moving to their own stadium when the franchise was rebranded to Sporting Kansas City.
The biggest soccer event will take place at Arrowhead Stadium in 2026 when FIFA World Cup matches will be staged at the venue.
Which 2026 FIFA World Cup matches will be played at Arrowhead?
According to information available on the FIFA website, Six World Cup matches will take place at Arrowhead Stadium. They include three group-stage matches from 16 June to 27 June 2026, a round of 32 game on 3 July, and a quarter-final on 11 July.
What is Arrowhead Stadium like?
Arrowhead Stadium is an impressive stadium that appears larger than it actually is from the inside due to two towering stands that run alongside the side of the pitch.
The stands behind both goals are smaller, but the stadium remains three-tiered all the way around, with hospitality occupying the smaller middle tier.
The stands wrap around each other to create a bowl-like design, but the varying heights of each stand don't make Arrowhead appear like a copy-and-paste job as some modern stadiums do.
For anyone who has ever attended an NFL match at Arrowhead Stadium or even watched one on television, you will know all about the noise that can be created inside it.
Arrowhead is regarded as the noisiest stadium in the U.S.A. While that is thanks in large part to the passionate Kansas City support, the stadium's design helps sound reverberate around the ground and onto the pitch easily.
In an NFL match between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots in 2014, the decibel count in the stadium hit 142.2, a record that still stands today.
The history of Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium was first opened in 1972, just a few years after the Chiefs won their first-ever Super Bowl. Over the years, the stadium has undergone several renovations to prevent the Chiefs from falling behind the times, an era where new stadiums are being built across the league.
Football-shaped screens were installed at both ends of the stadium in the 1990s to enhance the fan experience, while the turf has been changed several times to help players.
It was originally astroturf when the stadium first opened, but ‘NorthBridge Bermudagrass' is now laid on the pitch – an optimal surface for the low temperatures in Kansas City.
Roads to Arrowhead Stadium upgraded for 2026 World Cup
Kansas City is fully prepared to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at Arrowhead Stadium, with major improvements to public transportation, roads and security helping ensure the venue can handle tens of thousands of fans.
Mayor Quinton Lucas highlighted that safety and security are top priorities, while the city has upgraded access routes and transport networks to move spectators efficiently without relying on personal vehicles.
The enhanced road infrastructure and shuttle system will connect suburban hotels in Lenexa, Liberty and Lee’s Summit to Arrowhead Stadium, as well as to downtown FanFest activities, providing smooth access for international visitors.
Fans attending the World Cup at Arrowhead can expect a seamless experience, as upgraded roads and transport links make it easier to reach the stadium’s facilities while accommodating record crowds.