Changes coming: Fans hope for smoother experience at Saturday’s World Cup match after traffic delays

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Changes are coming to World Cup transportation plans, according to FIFA, after traffic issues delayed fan arrival at Kansas City Stadium on Tuesday.

Attendees reported long lines of traffic, long lines at buses and a lack of entrances. Fans who are preparing for Saturday’s match at Kansas City Stadium say they are now adjusting their plans after seeing traffic and parking problems from Tuesday’s game.

Grant Williams is from Overland Park. He bought tickets months ago to see Curacao take on Ecuador, along with a parking pass for $150. He said he’s nervous after seeing cars and buses backed up before and after Tuesday’s match.

“I definitely think there needs to be more than two gates open in the stadium. I mean, I think there are eight for a typical Chiefs game. You know, I think that causes a lot of the bottleneck,” Williams said. “I just hope it’s going to be good news. I mean, I’m still going to drive out there regardless if anything, just drive a little bit earlier or leave a little bit earlier out to the stadium.”

FIFA says they will announce plans Friday.

Visitors adjust plans

Rodina and Juan landed in town on Wednesday from Miami. They’re here to cheer on Ecuador.

They plan to have friends who live in Kansas City drop them off. They thought it was a foolproof idea until they heard about Tuesday.

“Yeah, we were a little concerned about the time to get into the parking lot to the stadium, even though we’re not going to park there, but we have to get to the park,” Rodina said.

Juan said he hopes to hear good news from FIFA’s announcement.

Long walk to see Messi

Gordon Pellegrini is a long-distance hiker from Vermont, here just to catch Messi in Kansas City.

He planned to leave two or three hours before the match and use the bus to connect to the stadium. After seeing a long line, he decided to call an Uber.

The ride was unable to get him through the gates.

“There was a bit of traffic. So the Uber driver ended up just kind of leaving me off on the side of the curb, a little bit from the stadium. And then I walked, maybe a mile or two miles,” Pellegrini said.

“I really wanted to see Messi warm up and Algeria warm up,” he said.

As someone who walks long distances for fun, it wasn’t a turnoff.

“But for the most part, it was pretty smooth. I was grateful to be there, and it was nice,” Pellegrini said.

Saturday attendees say they hope they walk away with the same feeling.

“We’re having a good time and for sure we are very excited,” Juan said.

FIFA says it is working in partnership with KC2026 to get information out to attendees. More details about Saturday’s transportation plan are expected on Friday.