photo by: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives to attend the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

As the FIFA 2026 World Cup gets closer to kickoff, a local bank says Lawrence small businesses should prepare now for the influx of international visitors so they can capitalize on the enormous opportunity.

With Kansas City playing host to six matches during the World Cup — including hosting at least one match with the reigning champions Argentina — the tournament is expected to bring around 600,000 soccer fans to the greater region. Rob Gillespie, a market manager for the Commerce Bank branch in Lawrence, told the Journal-World that each visitor is expected to spend $416 per day of their stay, according to data provided by VISA. That data suggests the tournament will be a huge opportunity for the local small business community.

“For small businesses, whatever their busy season is, this is an extra busy season,” Gillespie said.

With that opportunity, Gillespie said that Commerce Bank — in partnership with FIFA’s worldwide partner VISA — launched a Small Business Readiness program that aims to guide small businesses on steps they can take to be ready for the international visitors. Its official website provides resources for everything from creating alternative payment sources to providing tips on how to handle cultural differences.

Gillespie said one of the most important things small businesses should do is to make sure they have contactless or mobile payment systems set up. Gillespie said that most international visitors are “much more likely” to use those methods than carrying cash, where they won’t have to worry about change or having enough U.S, currency with them. Being able to provide multiple payment methods — and making it clear they can accept payments like tap-to-pay or mobile payments — would ensure that visitors feel comfortable about spending their money, according to Gillespie.

While Gillespie said the payment aspect is the most important focus for small business owners, he also suggested businesses, especially retail stores, offer “fan-focused deals” around the World Cup. He said those types of deals can highlight to visitors that the business is actively welcoming them.

Additionally, Gillespie said businesses should look into finding ways to make shipping easier — most international visitors will have to fly in, meaning they’ll have less space for their luggage — and consider “ramping up” their digital marketing so businesses are “discoverable to a global audience” for visitors thinking about finding local and authentic experiences.

Gillespie said the checklist and other resources provided by the bank are a good start for local businesses, but there are still some details that are up in the air. The Kansas City region has three potential sites that can serve as a national teams base camp — including Lawrence, as the Journal-World reported — and those will all be announced publicly in March. If Lawrence hosts a team at the base camp, it could mean more visitors and make it more likely that fans of a specific nation will stay in the area. Gillespie said the bank plans to “add more specific advice” as part of its preparedness program once it has a better idea of which groups of fans will be coming to the region.

Part of why Gillespie said the bank is sharing the resources as early as it can is so small businesses have ample time to prepare for the tournament.

“We definitely think now is the time to start thinking about potential upgrades or enhancements,” Gillespie said.

Even if Lawrence does not get a base camp for the World Cup, it still expects to see an influx of visitors throughout the summer and local officials have prepared accordingly. The community’s Unified Command launched a website in December to host information related to World Cup activity, and Lawrence is one of the 15 sites that will have a direct bus connection to downtown Kansas City during the World Cup.

Gillespie said that can be huge for fans wanting to get a different experience than the big city, and he believes there is a big opportunity for local businesses to welcome visitors to the area.

“I think small businesses should be really excited,” Gillespie said. “We just want them to be prepared.”

photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

A Commerce Bank branch location in Lawrence at 1500 Wakarusa Dr. The bank has created a Small Business Readiness program that aims to give advice to local businesses ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.