KC World Cup 2026 opens poster design contest to local artists

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Are you an artist based in the Kansas City metro? Well, you might just have the opportunity of a lifetime.

On Tuesday morning, KC2026 announced that applications are open for its newest contest — an opportunity where local artists can submit designs for the official FIFA World CUP 26TM Kansas City Host City Poster.

“This poster will commemorate the occasion and help showcase our region to visitors, viewers and soccer fans across the world,” said KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer.

“The poster should be an expression of our shared love of sports, but also capture how we collaborate to strengthen our communities, celebrate victories and unite as the heart of the nation.”

The deadline to submit your designs will be on Saturday, October 26 at 11:59 p.m., and adults (18 and older) from both sides of the state line are encouraged to apply.

Here’s what you can expect from “Phase One” of the competition and all the requirements you need to consider before submitting your work, according to the FIFA World Cup Kansas City website :

Phase One (Open Call and Application)

Artist application includes submitting the following:

• Three (3) digital portfolio pieces
• One (1) poster design concept sketch
  • Portrait format; 594mm x 761 mm
  • The Official Event Title and dates of the competition, in English, set up in ​Arial font
    • FIFA WORLD CUP 26™
    • June 11- July 19
      • Please note there will need to be placement in the lower right hand corner with the FIFA World Cup 26™ Kansas City logo.  Keep an open space in that location.
• Creative vision overview (100 words or less)

Deadline to enter is Saturday, October 26th at 11:59pm CT.

Examples of disqualification:

• Stadium Imagery
• FIFA Registered Asset: e.g., FIFA World Cup™ Trophy
• Use of brand(s) or likeness/personalities
• AI-Generated Art
• Political or Religious marks/logos
• Not including poster copy mandatories

After the open call is finished and all the submissions are in, the Poster Selection Task Force will narrow the designs to five finalists. Each will be asked to adjust their designs based on the task force’s notes, and KC2026 will give the artists a brand kit with the logo, font, colors and additional poster specifications.

Each of the five finalists will be awarded $5,000 at this stage of the competition.

From Phase Two, one winning design will be chosen and announced in 2025, and the artist will be awarded $10,000 for their creation.

Although the designs are entirely up to you and your creative ideas, the committee did provide some guidelines to help artists in the brainstorming process.

Here’s what they had to say:

“ While our region extends across two states, our pulse beats as ONE, weaving together the stories of its past and our bright future.

The greatest moments in our history are those we’ve earned TOGETHER. Bound by a relentless WORK ETHIC, a spirit of COLLABORATION, and a deep commitment to INCLUSION, we stand united. We RALLY together to celebrate victories and lift each other up in challenging times. Now, it’s time to show the world what we already know. We are the HEART of the nation, and we will add our Kansas City magic to the HEARTBEAT of the FIFA World Cup 26™. Together, we rise, and together, we win. When we stand UNITED, there is nothing we cannot achieve. “

For more information about the contest, go to KansasCityFWC26.com/postercontest/ . To submit your designs, and to get a closer look at the process, click here .

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