The KC Scene

England may be in Kansas City to chase a World Cup, but the team spent its first day off trying one of the world’s fastest-growing sports instead.

The Three Lions stopped by La Casa Del Padel in Overland Park, where players traded the soccer pitch for the padel court before returning to training at Swope Soccer Village. England is one of four national teams calling the Kansas City metro home during the tournament.

The visit also shines a spotlight on La Casa Del Padel, the Johnson County club founded by several current and former Sporting Kansas City players to help introduce the sport to Kansas City. Padel, a mix of tennis and squash, has exploded in popularity around the world, and now some of the game’s biggest soccer stars are getting in on the action right here in KC.

CardVault by Tom Brady opens in Kansas City's Power & Light District 🏈🏆

The national sports-card and memorabilia retailer is opening its 16th location nationwide at 1310 Main Street in downtown KC — and the grand opening is this Saturday.

Grand Opening — Saturday, June 20, 2026:
• 11AM: On-stage appearance at KC Live! by 7-time Super Bowl champion and CardVault co-owner Tom Brady, alongside co-founder Chris Costa
• 12PM (Noon): Store officially opens
• First 25 customers in line get a limited-edition Kansas City-themed CardVault hat
• Interactive fan experiences and exclusive giveaways throughout the day

What's inside:
• Single cards, sealed boxes, packs, and collectibles from Topps, Panini, Upper Deck, Pokémon, and Fanatics Authentic
• Buy, sell, trade, and grade collectibles on-site
• Authorized dealer for PSA, Beckett, and SGC, with on-site grading submission services
• CardVault's signature vault displaying autographed and authenticated memorabilia — helmets, jerseys, and game-used equipment
• Built for fans of the Chiefs, Royals, Sporting KC, and KC Current

After opening day, the store will be open 7 days a week from 10AM–8PM, with ongoing trade nights, special guest appearances, and exclusive product launches.

📍 1310 Main Street, Power & Light District

📲 Follow for opening-week details.

The KC Streetcar system experienced its highest ridership levels on record during the first week of the FIFA Fan Festival, carrying nearly 196,300 passenger trips between June 11 and June 17.

Daily usage averaged just over 28,000 rides, with a peak of 39,234 trips on June 16 during Kansas City’s opening World Cup match, marking the busiest single day in the system’s history.

Officials credited the surge to heavy fan movement between key downtown destinations, supported by expanded operations, additional streetcars and buses, increased security, and on-the-ground volunteer assistance.

Despite the surge in demand, the system maintained strong performance with minimal wait times, no major safety incidents, and continued fare-free service. City and transit leaders highlighted the event as a successful stress test of Kansas City’s World Cup transportation plan, with ongoing adjustments expected to further improve mobility and fan experience throughout the tournament.

A second large-scale data center development is being proposed in De Soto’s Astra Enterprise Park, the same business park that is home to the Panasonic battery plant.

Global data center developer Digital Realty recently acquired about 1,435 acres and unveiled preliminary plans for the first phase, known as Astra North, which would include nine data center buildings, two power substations, and roughly 1 million square feet of space across 280 acres.

The $4 billion first phase is expected to require 600 megawatts of electricity—enough to power up to 600,000 homes—and could generate more than 1,000 construction jobs and over 250 permanent positions. The company is also exploring water recycling infrastructure and native landscaping as part of the project.

While Digital Realty says it is already in discussions with a major cloud computing customer, some residents voiced concerns about the growing concentration of data centers near schools and called for greater transparency before additional projects move forward.

The FIFA Fan Festival Kansas City attracted more than 63,000 attendees during its first five event days, highlighting the city's growing role on the global soccer stage.

According to KC2026, 52% of visitors came from Kansas and Missouri, while 33% traveled from elsewhere in the United States and 15% arrived from international destinations.

In total, fans from 178 countries were represented at the festival through June 16. Organizers also reported that more than 86,500 ConnectKC26 transportation passes had been registered as of Wednesday afternoon, reflecting strong demand for transit options connecting fans to stadiums, regional destinations, and the airport.

The festival continues this weekend with its "Sports Town USA" programming, including a rescheduled performance by The Chainsmokers on Sunday.

Downtown Overland Park is getting a little darker. In the best way. 🖤

Meet The Inked Page, a "moody" bookstore taking over at 7942 Santa Fe Drive (near 79th & Santa Fe).

It's taking over the former Ink & Page space, which is closing after about three years.
PS: Closing Book Sale = 6/20 | 9 AM - 4 PM (SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES)

📚 The concept: a bookstore built around the darker genres. Mysteries, thrillers, horror, and true crime, plus darker takes on classics and romance.

The vibe? "A little mysterious, a little sexy, a little playful." Think Practical Magic meets Midwest emo, a spot for the "weirdos, emos, witchy and wild" readers.

And it's more than a shop. The owners want it to be a community hangout, with book clubs and after-hours events.

Behind it all: longtime friends Courtney Moffitt and Katie Jones, both Wichita natives who met working as bridal-shop stylists.

They've got nearly 30 years of combined retail experience between them. But this is their first business of their own.

🗓️ Tentatively opening by the end of July 2026.

Start your TBR list now. 👀

🎟️ Heads up, KC — the Crossroads Night Market just updated its hours.

First Friday energy is taking over the Crossroads every weekend through July 12. Think 200+ artists, live music, local makers, and a walkable night out under the string lights.

🗓️ Weekends: June 19 – July 12 (6/19–21 · 6/26–28 · 7/3–5 · 7/10–12)
🕔 Friday, Saturday & Sunday · 5–11 PM

📍 W. 18th between Wyandotte & Baltimore + Art Alley on E. 18th (Locust to Cherry)
In partnership with .






Tag who you're bringing 👇

A new health-focused café has officially opened in the Kansas City metro, bringing Toastique to Overland Park near Corbin Park.

Located at 6445 W. 135th Street, the Washington, D.C.-based franchise is known for its gourmet toasts, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, coffee, and other wellness-focused menu items. The brand, founded in 2018, has grown to more than 60 locations nationwide, building a following around its all-day menu that includes items such as smoked salmon toast, protein waffles, and fresh juices.

The Overland Park location is operated by local entrepreneur Jonathan Willis and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering a wellness-focused dining option in Johnson County.

Kansas City's summer celebrations are getting a musical boost as the KC Streetcar Authority partners with Manor Records to present “Streetcar Sounds,” a free live music series taking place every Wednesday throughout the FIFA World Cup.

Local musicians will perform at select streetcar stops along the route, giving riders and visitors a chance to experience Kansas City’s music scene while exploring the city.

Performances will be held at locations including the Riverfront, UMKC, City Market, and Art Museums stops, with artists ranging from Jamogi and Alber to DJ Skeme, Kirstie Lynn, and Frankie Shores.

The series wraps up on July 8 with expanded performances and a final showcase celebration featuring additional evening sets.