Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider increasing the special tax that applies to hotel stays in hopes of capitalizing on an influx of World Cup visitors.
The World Cup is expected to bring thousands of international fans and millions of dollars to the Kansas City area next summer. Six matches including a quarterfinal match will be played between June 16 and July 11, 2026 at Arrowhead Stadium.
For each game, officials estimate the impact to the area will be similar to what a Super Bowl would be, and the effects will ripple far beyond Kansas City.
Lawrence and more than 100 other cities in the state charge a transient guest tax that applies to hotel stays. City staff members are proposing increasing Lawrence’s TGT to 8% from 6%. The rate of 6% has been in effect since 2010.
The tax increase could bring in approximately $940,000 in increased revenue in 2026, according to the city.
“In the years following the World Cup, additional TGT revenue will be used to structurally balance the Transient Guest Tax Fund,” according to the agenda. “The City will undertake a comprehensive restructuring of the TGT program to maximize ‘heads-in-beds’ outcomes, strengthen Lawrence’s position as a premier destination, and advance the City’s Unmistakable Identity strategic plan outcome.”
In order to increase the tax, the commission must approve the increase with at least two-thirds majority, meaning at least a vote of 4-1. The city would then publish a legal notice. Members of the public may file a protest petition; if they do, the question will go to a public election. If not, the tax increase will take effect 61 days after the final legal notice is published.
If approved, the new rate would take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
“It is projected to provide up to $1 million in 2026 for World Cup-related programming without depleting reserves, build reserves for long-term sustainability and major tourism improvements, and maintain competitive positioning while keeping the total lodging tax burden reasonable,” according to the agenda. See the complete agenda item at this link.
Short-term rentals
Commissioners will also consider starting a process to temporarily amend city codes to raise the limit on the number of short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, that a licensee could hold, which is currently three.
An increased number of short-term rentals could further limit already tight housing availability for Lawrence residents. Jeff Crick, the city’s director of planning and development, has said officials are focused on ensuring any long-term effects of the World Cup are positive.
“These amendments would apply only for the World Cup period. After the event, staff would propose further amendments to restore previous code provisions,” according to the agenda item.
The transient guest tax applies to stays at “qualifying short-term rentals” in addition to hotel stays, according to the city.
That item is on the commission’s consent agenda, a list of items that are generally considered routine and approved with one motion unless a commissioner asks to pull something for discussion. Members of the public can ask commissioners to discuss a consent agenda item.
Meeting info
The Lawrence City Commission meeting will meet at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19 at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.
The commission accepts written public comment emailed to ccagendas@lawrenceks.org until noon the day of meetings. The commission also hears live public comment during meetings, both in person and virtually.
City commission meetings are no longer livestreamed on YouTube. In order to watch the meeting online remotely, attendees must join via Zoom at this link, which also allows participants to provide public comment virtually. Meeting recordings are uploaded to the city’s YouTube channel the next day.
See the commission’s complete meeting agenda at this link.
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
More coverage: 2026 World Cup
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