Spring has sprung! Today is the Kansas City Royals home opener—and we’re officially 72 days out from the global tournament kicking off on June 11. The countdown is real, and so is the early impact we’re seeing right here in Kearney.

Local Hotel Reality Check: rooms are filling

To get a clearer picture of what summer lodging will look like, some of our awesome Kearney high school students visited Kearney hotels and ask about reservations and shuttle service.

• SureStay Plus by Best Western shared they are very booked for the summer and expect only a few rooms available for walk-ins. They also said they do not plan to offer shuttle service.
• Our contact at Holiday Inn Express & Suites shared:
• “We are starting to fill up pretty quickly for the weekends during the World Cup. And based on the names I'm assuming they are all here for soccer. Now, before and after FIFA, we are slammed with groups. Groups such as gymnastics, family reunions, motorcycle groups and some sports teams. It will definitely be a busy summer! Also we will not be offering any shuttle service.”

Translation: this isn’t shaping up as a “one-week spike.” It’s looking like a busy summer season with overlapping travel groups plus tournament-related demand.

What this means for businesses (tourism AND non-tourism)

1) Visitors will be here… and they’ll need basics fast

Guests who sleep here still have to eat, fuel up, shop, and do life:

• restaurants + coffee
• convenience + groceries
• pharmacies + essentials
• entertainment + “what should we do tonight?” questions

2) Don’t assume hotels will move people around

Based on what we’re hearing locally, shuttle service is unlikely. That means visitors will rely on:

• personal vehicles / rental cars
• rideshare
• regional bus options (see below)

3) Your online info is now part of your customer service

If lodging is tight and visitors are moving around more, they’ll be searching in real time. Make sure your business is:

• easy to find (Google hours, phone, address, photos)
• easy to choose (best-sellers, “what to expect,” parking tips)
• easy to reach (clear directions + a quick “how it works”)

Transportation Update: ConnectKC26 (important for both visitors and employers)

Kansas City is rolling out ConnectKC26, a motorcoach bus system designed for the tournament window. Read More.

Stadium Direct (match days) — how ticketholders get to Arrowhead

On Kansas City match days, Stadium Direct service is planned from the Fan Festival and four park-and-ride locations to Arrowhead, with very limited stadium parking expected.

Park-and-ride sites listed include:

• Highway 40 & Stadium Drive (KC)
• Independence Center (Independence)
• North Kansas City (Northland)
• Oak Park Mall (Overland Park)

Region Direct (daily) — helps visitors move around the metro

During the tournament period, Region Direct is described as daily service connecting the Fan Festival area with 15 regional sites. Liberty is being included among those destinations in regional coverage (final details/locations to be announced).

Key takeaway for Kearney/Holt businesses: visitors may choose lodging outside downtown and use regional routes to explore — so we should be prepared to answer “How do we get around?” questions with confidence.

Employer Pro Tip: plan for commute disruptions

Between increased visitor traffic and potential security movement (including motorcades tied to team travel), commuting patterns can shift quickly. Consider now:

• flexible start times for June/July
• remote/hybrid options where possible
• a “traffic grace window” policy on high-impact days

3 fast actions businesses can take this week

✅ Update Google today: hours + photos + “what to expect”

✅ Add a “Visitor Info” line: parking tips + “no shuttle” assumption + easiest way to reach you

✅ Prep a staff answer: “Rideshare and personal vehicles are common; tournament bus service will run from select regional stops" Watch for finalized Liberty details.