Free Airport Shuttles + a $5 Day-Of-Match Connector Through Seven JoCo Cities
The county side of the plan, finally clear
On Tuesday, May 12, Johnson County officials laid out the county side of Kansas City's FIFA World Cup 2026 transit picture — two services that fill a gap the city-side ConnectKC26 plan doesn't cover.
For visitors landing at Kansas City International Airport without a car, the Johnson County United Airport Drop and Ride will run free, 30-minute-frequency shuttles between the airport and two south-of-the-river anchor points — the Overland Park Convention Center and Lenexa City Center — starting June 1, ten days before the tournament's first match. Drop-off only; no long-term parking at either end.
For locals and visiting fans moving across the county on match days, the Johnson County United Link will operate three overlapping bus routes through seven cities — Leawood, Lenexa, Merriam, Mission, Olathe, Overland Park, and Shawnee — converging at Oak Park Mall. Day passes are $5; a tournament pass is $50.
See live on /weather →What you'd actually pay (and ride)
| Service | Cost | Connects | Frequency | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Drop and Ride | Free | KCI ↔ OP Convention Center + Lenexa City Center | Every 30 min | June 1 – July 16 (then hourly while funded) |
| United Link | $5 day / $25 week / $50 tournament | 7 JoCo cities, hub at Oak Park Mall | Every 20 min | June 9 – July 13 |
| ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct (city-side, for context) | $15 round-trip per match | FanFest + 4 park-and-rides → Arrowhead | Match-day only | Match days |
How JoCo fits the bigger KC2026 picture
ConnectKC26, the city-side plan announced earlier this spring, handles the to-Arrowhead leg: a $15-per-person Stadium Direct shuttle from FanFest and four park-and-rides; a free Airport Direct route from KCI to downtown's 27th & Main bus mall (two blocks from the FIFA Fan Festival at the National WWI Museum); and the new KC Streetcar extension to the WWI Memorial opening this week.
Johnson County's services slot under that umbrella. They get visitors to the JoCo anchor points where hotels, restaurants, and ConnectKC26 connections are within easy reach, and they keep locals moving across the county without having to drive. Oak Park Mall, the Link hub, is roughly 30 minutes from Arrowhead by car — a familiar landmark that doubles as a transit anchor during the tournament.
What's still TBD
- Registration / pass-purchase links haven't been published yet for either service. County officials said timing and pass distribution details will come closer to launch. - Operating hours for the Airport Drop and Ride: weekdays 4 a.m. – 11 p.m., Saturdays 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sundays 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. - Post-tournament window: the airport service drops from 30-minute to 60-minute frequency starting July 17 and continues "as long as funding is available." The United Link wraps July 13.
Q: Is the JoCo airport shuttle really free?
A: Yes — county-funded, drop-off only, no parking at either end. You'll need a way to get from Overland Park Convention Center or Lenexa City Center to your final destination (hotel, restaurant, match), but the leg from KCI is no-cost.
Q: Where is Oak Park Mall, and why is it the hub?
A: Oak Park Mall is at 11149 W 95th St in Overland Park. The three Johnson County United Link routes overlap there, so during the tournament it functions as JoCo's informal transit hub — bringing visitors and locals together at one familiar landmark.
Q: Does the United Link tournament pass cover stadium trips?
A: No. Stadium Direct is a separate ConnectKC26 service ($15 round-trip per match). The United Link is a Johnson County connector, not a stadium shuttle. Plan to use both if you're staying in JoCo and heading to a match at Arrowhead.