Staffing & Payments Readiness

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If you do nothing else to prepare for the 2026 global soccer tournament, do this: make it easy for your team to get to work, and make it easy for customers to pay. The tournament runs June 11–July 19, 2026. With Kansas City hosting four international base camps and six major matches, our region will experience significant ripple effects—from shifting traffic patterns and schedule surges to a massive influx of visitors in local pockets.

 

          💡 Pro Tip: The "Motorcade Effect" As international teams move between base camps and training sites, they often travel

           with motorcade escorts. This can mean temporary road closures to keep travel moving quickly. If you have employees           

           commuting—or deliveries that run through the metro—consider building in extra buffer time and keeping your schedule

           flexible on short notice.

 

​The Goal: Reduce Friction​

The most successful businesses during the games will be those that eliminate hurdles for their employees, customers, and operations.

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Your “June/July Staffing Playbook”

Even if you aren’t a tourism-based business, regional congestion can affect commute times, childcare schedules, and delivery punctuality.

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Take action this week:

• Identify “Critical Coverage” Hours: Pinpoint the hours you absolutely cannot run short-staffed.

• Build a Backup List: Identify on-call staff, cross-trained team members, or trusted part-timers now.

• Create a Flexibility Plan: Write it down now so it doesn’t become an emotional decision in the moment. Consider:

  • Staggered start times or "traffic grace windows" (e.g., 15 minutes).

  • Optional remote/hybrid days where possible.

  • Carpool encouragement for commuters.

• Pre-Season Training: If you expect higher volume, start training in April/May so your team is confident by June.

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Payments: Make it Easy to Buy

Visitors (and locals hosting guests) will choose the places that feel fast and modern.

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The 10-Minute Readiness Test:

• Contactless Ready: Can you accept tap-to-pay and mobile wallets consistently?

• Streamlined Checkout: Are your receipts, tipping prompts, and checkout steps clear?

• Connectivity Backup: Do you have a plan if local networks experience hiccups (hotspots, offline mode, etc.)?

• Clear Signage: A simple “Tap-to-Pay Available” sign and a quick staff script—“Tap is perfect if you have it!”—saves significant time.

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Customer Service: Efficient Midwest Hospitality

You don’t need to "theme" your whole business. A few thoughtful touches go a long way:

• Clarity over Complexity: Use friendly greetings and quick directions (“Restrooms are to the left,” “Order here”).

• Global Patience: Brief your team on being patient with diverse accents and phrasing.

• Local Cheat Sheets: Keep simple printed info ready regarding your hours, top sellers, or Kearney location tips.​