The City of Lenexa unveiled its long-in-the-works plans for three World Cup watch parties that will be held at Lenexa City Center.
On Tuesday at the Lenexa City Council meeting, Assistant City Manager Mike Nolan detailed three watch parties that will take place in Lenexa City Center, as well as the amenities and activities it will feature.
The watch parties include:
- June 12 — USA Vs. Paraguay
- June 25 — Tunisia v. Netherlands and USA v. Türkiye (Double header)
- July 11 — Kansas City Stadium Quarterfinal (Teams to be determined)
The watch parties were planned to avoid clashing watch parties with Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park.
The plans were part of two World Cup-related agenda items that the Lenexa City Council unanimously approved, 8-0, including approval of a special event permit for the three watch parties and a resolution authorizing the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol during the events.
The event is organized by Pitch Lenexa, a group created in 2024 that’s comprised of eight businesses and organizations in Lenexa to help the city capitalize on the global sporting event, which will have six games played in Kansas City.
“These are pretty big hitters to bring this vision to fruition,” Nolan said.
The events will close down parts of City Center
The events will take place on the vacant land near Kiewit, Saints Pub + Patio, Martin City Brewing Co., and Restaurant Row, with the games broadcast on four LED screens.
The watch party areas will open up at 5 p.m. for each event and conclude around 10 or 11 p.m., depending on the match’s length. They will not be ticketed, and the grounds will be open to the public, fitting up to 5,000 attendees.
The day before the events, the city will close certain streets at 5 p.m. and provide road closure information through mobile message boards, provided by Road Runner Safety Services. The streets will reopen approximately one hour after each event has ended.
There will be 2,000 parking spaces available in Kiewit’s parking garage, as well as other public spaces in garages and along public streets in and around City Center.
In addition, the city will have a rideshare drop-off site on Hampton Street.
Watch parties will feature food trucks, activities
Beyond watching the games, the events will feature a variety of family-friendly physical activities.
“We wanted to make sure that we activated our space not just for watching the watch parties, but to have a little pre-game fun beforehand,” Nolan said.
Activities include:
- Human foosball
- Soccer darts
- Penalty kick challenge
- An “American Ninja Warrior”-style obstacle course
- Temporary tattoo artists and face painters
- A Pitch Lenexa selfie backdrop
The activities will be provided before each match and conclude at kickoff due to FIFA viewing rules prohibiting them occurring during the matches and at halftime.
Those looking to get something to eat or drink can choose from 10 food trucks, which will be lined around City Center Drive, including:
- Bryce’s Food Truck
- Fairway Creamery
- Jack’s Kettle Corn
- KC Que
- Mad Greek Traveling Taverna
- Maps Coffee and Chocolate
- Melt Box Ice Cream
- Omnivorium
- Smoke n Seoul
- Tacos el Viejon
- XClusive Events (Designated alcohol provider)
Private security will monitor the event
Security will be staffed at three separate checkpoints surrounding the event space with two to three security guards at each location.
A perimeter fence 6 feet in height will be placed around the venue to control the entrances and exits.
“We will be checking everybody who comes in,” Nolan said.
Inside the event, Titan Protection & Consulting will provide security using a tactical security plan that has been filed and reviewed by the Lenexa Police Department.
Attendees can bring in a clear bag and factory-sealed water bottles up to 1 liter per person.
The event will have 30 total restrooms, including five accessible restrooms and eight handwashing stations.
There are no plans for water stations, but the city is looking to find a partner that could provide them, Nolan said.
The city council approved watch party plans
One of the big concerns for Councilmember John Michael Handley was notifying people about the road closures prior to the events.
“I think about the folks who only go to City Center like once a week, and somehow manage not to hear about this going on. If they show up six days before the event, and they go home and they come up the day of the event suddenly surprised (the roads are closed),” he said.
The city is using a variety of ways to communicate to residents about the road closures, including TownTalk Magazine, social media and the city’s website, Nolan said.
Mayor Julie Sayers praised the event plan, as well as Nolan and Pitch Lenexa’s work organizing it.
“We are the city of festivals. We do these things the right way, and this should be no different, and our residents should be encouraged to come down here … All will be welcome,” she said.
The event needs volunteers
Nolan said Pitch Lenexa will be making a push to get volunteers involved to help with the event.
“If anybody’s listening and wants to volunteer for a four- or an eight-hour shift, we haven’t decided exactly how that’s going to work yet, (or) if you’re a high schooler that needs service hours, those are the types of volunteers we’re looking for,” Nolan said.
To volunteer, visit Pitch Lenexa’s volunteer page.
