Lawrence To Boost Hotel Tax For 2026 World Cup Tourism Surge

Published on August 19, 2025

As Lawrence prepares to invited nan 2026 FIFA World Cup, metropolis commissioners are deliberating an enhancement to nan transient impermanent taxation (TGT) levied connected edifice occupancy. This imaginable summation seeks to position nan metropolis to maximise nan economical opportunities arising from nan tournament’s anticipated visitant inflow adjacent summer. Kansas City has been selected to big six matches, among them a quarterfinal, from June sixteenth to July eleventh, 2026, and Lawrence is poised to pull a important contingent of world fans, on pinch a broader surge successful tourism, passim this timeframe.

Boosting Tourism Revenue done Tax Increase

The projected taxation summation would raise nan TGT complaint from six percent to 8 percent, a alteration that has been nether chat owed to nan anticipated economical effect of nan World Cup. Since 2010, nan TGT has been group astatine six percent, and nan projected summation is expected to make astir 9 100 forty 1000 dollars successful further gross for 2026.

The other costs are intended to support nan World Cup-related programming, ensuring Lawrence maintains a competitory separator arsenic a tourism destination. In addition, nan accrued taxation gross would beryllium utilized to thief equilibrium nan Transient Guest Tax Fund, which is important for sustaining semipermanent tourism projects successful nan city.

The connection highlights that nan further gross will beryllium channelled into strategical efforts to fortify Lawrence’s position arsenic a premier tourer destination. The metropolis besides intends to build up reserves for early tourism improvements, reinforcing its Unmistakable Identity scheme to proceed attracting visitors agelong aft nan World Cup.

Economic Impact of nan 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to person a important effect connected nan Kansas City metropolitan area, pinch Lawrence poised to use from nan ripple effects. The influx of world visitors will apt lend millions of dollars to nan section economy. Lawrence’s proximity to Kansas City, peculiarly its location adjacent Rock Chalk Park, makes it an perfect guidelines for visitors attending matches astatine Arrowhead Stadium. This anticipated summation successful tourism will bring a activity of caller travellers, creating opportunities for section businesses and attractions to thrive.

Lawrence’s projected TGT summation is 1 of galore efforts by nan metropolis to hole for nan World Cup and nan consequent tourism boom. Local businesses, particularly those successful nan hospitality sector, guidelines to use from nan accrued number of visitors expected for nan event. The city’s extremity is to guarantee that nan benefits of this arena widen beyond nan World Cup itself, starring to sustained maturation successful nan tourism assemblage successful nan years pursuing nan event.

What’s Next for nan Tax Proposal?

For nan summation to return effect, nan Lawrence City Commission must o.k. it pinch a two-thirds majority, which would require a ballot of astatine slightest 4-1. Following nan approval, a ineligible announcement will beryllium published, and residents tin record protestation petitions if they reason nan increase. If nary petitions are filed, nan taxation summation will go effective sixty 1 days aft nan ineligible announcement is published. The caller complaint is expected to spell into effect by January first, 2026.

The summation successful nan TGT is expected to make Lawrence’s hospitality services much equipped to grip nan increasing number of visitors visiting for nan World Cup. As nan metropolis prepares for this awesome world event, nan taxation hike represents a measurement toward semipermanent maturation and sustainability successful nan tourism sector.

Short-Term Rentals and Housing Considerations

In summation to nan edifice taxation increase, Lawrence metropolis commissioners are besides discussing adjustments to metropolis codes regarding short-term rentals, specified arsenic those connected platforms for illustration Airbnb. Currently, location is simply a limit of 3 short-term rental licenses per licensee, but commissioners are considering temporarily expanding this limit to accommodate nan influx of visitors for nan World Cup.

The projected changes would use only for nan long of nan World Cup, ensuring that nan metropolis tin negociate nan accrued request for lodging while protecting nan lodging marketplace for residents. While nan short-term rental changes would thief meet nan needs of World Cup visitors, metropolis officials are committed to ensuring that nan semipermanent effects of nan arena connected Lawrence’s lodging marketplace are positive.

Long-Term Tourism Benefits

The World Cup is projected not simply to present a transient stimulus to Lawrence’s economy, but to catalyse prolonged description successful tourism. The municipality’s strategical investments successful tourism-related infrastructure, financed successful portion by nan incremental gross generated from nan transient impermanent tax, are apt to output enhancements that tie visitors to Lawrence agelong aft nan last whistle. By showcasing nan city’s unique taste and recreational assets during nan tournament, Lawrence will efficaciously marketplace itself arsenic a desirable destination, thereby creating a durable instauration for early tourism growth.