See Kansas City from Above: The Perfect World Cup 2026 Adventure
If you're traveling to Kansas City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you're in for something special. And I'm not just talking about the matches.
While you're here watching the world's greatest athletes compete on the pitch, there's another way to see Kansas City that most visitors never experience—from 1,000 feet up, floating silently over the city as the sun rises or sets.
Let me show you why a hot air balloon ride should be on your World Cup itinerary.
A Different View of Kansas City
Everyone talks about Kansas City's BBQ, our jazz heritage, and our passionate sports culture. All true. But from the ground, you're only getting part of the story.
From a hot air balloon, you see the full picture. The way downtown rises from the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. How the city sprawls across rolling hills and valleys. The gorgeous residential neighborhoods with tree-lined streets. The stadiums, the parks, the fountains we're famous for—all laid out beneath you like a living map.
Why Balloon Before or After the Match
Here's what makes a balloon ride perfect for your World Cup visit:
Early Morning Flights: We launch at sunrise, which means you're back on the ground by 9 or 10 AM. Plenty of time to grab breakfast, head to your hotel, and get ready for an afternoon or evening match. You'll start your day floating peacefully above the city while everyone else is still asleep.
Evening Flights: After an exciting match, you might be too amped up to just head back to your hotel. An evening balloon flight is the perfect way to wind down. We launch 2-3 hours before sunset, so if you're coming from an afternoon game, you can head straight to us for the most serene ending to an intense day.
Rest Day Activity: If you're here for multiple matches or just extending your trip, a balloon ride is the ideal rest-day activity. No walking for miles. No crowds. No stress. Just you, your travel companion, and one of the most peaceful experiences you'll ever have.
What You'll See
Our typical flight path takes you over some of Kansas City's most beautiful areas—and here's the thing most people don't expect: the best views aren't downtown.
Rolling Farmland: We float over working farms, sprawling fields, and open countryside that reminds you Kansas City sits right at the edge of America's heartland. In the morning, you might see farmers already out working. The patchwork of crops, fence lines, and farm roads creates patterns you can only appreciate from above.
Suburban Kansas City: We drift over beautiful residential neighborhoods—the real Kansas City where people actually live. Tree-lined streets, backyard pools, kids' playgrounds, local parks. You'll see people starting their day, walking their dogs, and occasionally looking up in amazement as we float silently overhead.
The Skyline in the Distance: While we're not flying over downtown, you'll absolutely see it. The Kansas City skyline rises on the horizon, and from our perspective—floating peacefully over the countryside—you get a sense of how the city sits in relation to the greater metro area. It's a perspective no postcard can capture.
Hidden Natural Beauty: Tree groves, ponds, creeks, and wooded areas that break up the suburban landscape. From above, you realize Kansas City is greener than you'd expect—filled with natural spaces that give the metro area its character.
Unexpected Discoveries: Here's the thing about balloon rides: we don't follow a set route. The wind decides. You might float over a horse ranch, a historic farmhouse, a gorgeous golf course, or a neighborhood celebration happening in someone's backyard. Every flight reveals something different, and that unpredictability is part of the magic.
The beauty isn't in ticking off famous landmarks—it's in seeing the authentic Kansas City. The places between the tourist spots. The real landscape that makes this region what it is.
The Perfect International Experience
If you're traveling from abroad for the World Cup, ballooning offers something special: a quintessentially human experience that requires no translation.
I've flown passengers from dozens of countries. The amazing thing about a balloon ride is that joy, wonder, and that slight nervous excitement at floating a thousand feet up—those are universal. Language doesn't matter when you're watching the sun paint the sky orange and pink while drifting over a new city.
Plus, it's a chance to see the "real" Kansas City—the parts beyond the tourist zones and stadium areas. You'll see where locals actually live, how the city really works, what makes this place home to two million people.
The Story You'll Tell
Everyone who goes to the World Cup has the same stories: "We saw Brazil play." "We went to this amazing BBQ place." "The atmosphere at the stadium was incredible."
All great stories. But here's what you can say that no one else will:
"We took a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over Kansas City. Just us, the pilot, and the most beautiful view you can imagine. We floated over neighborhoods and rivers, and the city came to life beneath us as the sun came up. Then we touched down in a random field, and the pilot's chase crew met us with champagne."
That's the story people will want to hear. That's the Instagram post that will get the most comments. That's the memory that will last long after you've forgotten the score of the group stage match.
Why Banana Balloon Co
Full disclosure: I'm not the only balloon company in Kansas City. But here's what makes flying with us special:
Championship Experience: In 2024, I won first place overall at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta—the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. That precision and experience means smoother flights, better navigation, and a pilot who's proven they can handle anything the sky throws at them.
Private Flights: Our rides are just for two passengers. No crowds. No strangers. Just you and your travel companion and an experience you'll share together. Perfect for couples, close friends, or family members traveling together.
Personal Touch: This is a family business. Three generations of balloon pilots. When you fly with me, you're not a tourist checking something off a list—you're a guest sharing something I love with someone who wants to share it with you.
Practical Details for World Cup Visitors
Book Early: World Cup means more visitors than usual. If ballooning is on your list, book as soon as you know your travel dates. We book up quickly during major events.
Weather Flexibility: Ballooning is weather-dependent. We don't fly in rain, high winds, or storms. If weather cancels your flight, we'll reschedule for another day of your trip, or provide a full refund if that doesn't work.
Transportation: We launch from different sites depending on wind conditions. We'll give you the exact location the evening before your flight. Most launch sites are 15-30 minutes from downtown Kansas City.
What to Bring: Comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, a camera, and a sense of adventure. We provide everything else, including the champagne celebration after landing—a ballooning tradition dating back over 200 years.
Duration: Plan for 3-4 hours total. About an hour in the air, plus setup time and landing celebration. We'll have you back to your hotel with plenty of time for your other plans.
Making It Happen
The World Cup is bringing the world to Kansas City. While you're here for the matches, take a few hours to see our city the way locals never do—from above, in the quiet magic of a hot air balloon.
I've been flying balloons professionally for years, competed at the highest levels, and never get tired of seeing that moment when passengers realize just how special this experience is. The silence. The perspective. The impossible feeling of floating.
Kansas City is going to show up for the World Cup. The atmosphere will be electric, the hospitality genuine, the BBQ unforgettable. And if you let me take you up in Grand Banana 2.0, I promise you'll see why this city is special from an angle most visitors never will.
The world is coming here to watch athletes achieve the extraordinary. While you're here, come do something extraordinary yourself.
Ready to Book?
Visit our booking page or give us a call at (816) 226-7480. Let us know you're here for the World Cup, and we'll do everything we can to make it work with your schedule.
See you in the sky above Kansas City. Bring your camera—you're going to want to remember this.
