Columbia Prepares for Tourism Boost Ahead of World Cup

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws near, the City of Columbia is gearing up for an expected boost in tourism.

While mid-Missouri hotels haven’t yet seen big jumps in bookings or prices, Columbia could benefit as a satellite host to Kansas City.

Megan McConachie with the Convention and Visitors Bureau says she hopes visitors venture to Columbia between matches.

The city also launched “Kick it in CoMo,” a community calendar of local events designed for World Cup fans.

McConachie says it’s still early, but she expects more travelers to choose Columbia for its affordability and central location