ORDINANCE NO. 260663
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Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas
Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Hosting Requirements & Bid Proposal to host matches and tournament events of the Men’s Rugby World Cup USA 2031; stating the Council’s intent to provide funding for certain City services in connection with the 2031 Rugby World Cup if the City is chosen as an official host city; and directing the City Manager to include funding for required City services in the 2028-29 and 2029-30 annual budgets to cover City services, including but not limited to police, fire, traffic, EMS, airport, transportation, sanitation, and all other contractual obligations to support the Men’s Rugby World Cup USA 2031 tournament and all related events and activities.
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WHEREAS, in March of 2022, the City signed a Memorandum of Understanding with USA RWC BidCo, Inc. before it could be considered as an Official Candidate Host City for the Rugby World Cup 2031; and
WHEREAS, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed by the Kansas City Chiefs for Arrowhead Stadium to be considered as a Candidate Match Venue for the tournament; and
WHEREAS, the official Host City selection process is highly competitive and considers various factors such as city profile, stadiums, training facilities, local transportation, hotels, airports, and other infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, in order to be selected as a Host City, the City is required to submit a Bid Proposal by August 31, 2026, to World Rugby; and
WHEREAS, the 2031 Rugby World Cup activities may include, in addition to competition matches, tournament events including Fan Zones to be held in Kansas City, and other related events; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the 2031 Rugby World Cup, the City will need to provide services, including police, fire, traffic, EMS, transportation, and sanitation services, to support the matches and the related events and activities; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes that the financial and other benefits to be obtained by the City greatly exceed the anticipated costs of providing City services for the 2031 Rugby World Cup and related events; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to sign and submit a Hosting Requirements & Bid Proposal to host matches and tournament events of the Men’s Rugby World Cup USA 2031.
Section 2. That the Council hereby expresses its intent to provide the necessary funds to provide City services, including but not limited to police, fire, traffic, EMS, airport, transportation, and sanitation services, to support the 2031 Rugby World Cup matches that could be played in Kansas City and all related events and activities.
Section 3. That the Council hereby directs the City Manager to include, in the submitted budget for fiscal years 2028-2029 and 2029-30, the necessary funding to provide City services, including but not limited to police, fire, traffic, EMS, airport, transportation, sanitation services, and all other contractual obligations to support the 2031 Rugby World Cup matches that could be played in Kansas City and all related events and activities including Fan Zones.
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Approved as to form:
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Nelson V. Munoz
Deputy City Attorney