T-minus 112 days until the world’s largest sporting event descends on Kansas City! Are you ready?
🎓 Kansas City’s top high schools
⚽️ New details and dates about FIFA Fan Festival
🍽️ One week out from Dinner Club on the Plaza
🛒 Merriam confirms new Trader Joe’s
Education
Niche Names Best High Schools in the Kansas City Area for 2026
Pembroke Hill/Multistudio
Online education publication Niche released its list of the Best High Schools in the Kansas City Area in 2026.
The rankings were determined based on “rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of Niche users.” Here were the top three public and private schools in the KC area:
Private
Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City, MO)
Notre Dame de Sion High School (Kansas City, MO)
The Barstow School (Kansas City, MO)
Public
Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park, KS)
Blue Valley High School (Stilwell, Kansas)
Blue Valley West High School (Overland Park, Kansas)
Check out the full list of the top public and private high schools in the Kansas City area HERE.
Events
KC2026 Unveils Dates and New Details About FIFA Fan Festival
KC2026
KC2026 confirmed dates and details for the FIFA Fan Festival Kansas City, a free celebration at the heart of the 2026 World Cup, opening for at least 18 days in June and July.
When to Go: The festival will be open on Kansas City game days, days when the U.S. Men's National Team plays, and July 4th (America's 250th anniversary). Themed weekly programming includes Heartland Hello (June 11-16), Sports Town USA (June 19-21), The World's Game (June 24-27), Home Team (July 3-5), and KC Creates (July 9-11).
Welcome to the Heartland: Inside the Fan Festival will be two large stages, nearly 4,500 square feet of video boards for live match viewing, a 65-foot heart-shaped entrance for photos, cooling zones, trophy displays, skills challenges, 3v3 pitches, and elevated hospitality options. Limited premium passes will be available for purchase soon, offering guaranteed entrance and exclusive perks.
Admission to Fan Festival is free, but registration is required through the FIFA app. (iOS) (Android)
Events
KC Daily Dinner Club is Just One Week Away!
KC Daily
Our second KC Daily Dinner Club is set for next Thursday, February 26th at 6:30pm on the Country Club Plaza.
Take the personality quiz, get matched with 5 other Kansas Citians, enjoy a great meal, and meet some new friends!
“So happy I decided to do this! Met really great people and had wonderful conversation. Highly recommend checking it out” -Rylee
“Everyone was gracious and interested in each other’s lives and thoughts. I didn’t talk about football or sports gambling once which was a relief!” - Seth
“I had such a good time. My group was great! We kept the conversation flowing, had a lot in common, and are already up for a group chat to plan future outings!” -Kyleigh
KC Daily Picks
In Other News…
🛍️ Instant Local Gifting: Send digital gift cards for any local restaurant nationwide! Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or a thoughtful 'thank you.' Each gift downloads straight into their Apple or Google Wallet. Waive the $5 fee today with code DAILY5.*
🛒 Trading in Merriam: The City of Merriam confirmed that a Trader Joe’s is coming soon to 8700 Shawnee Mission Parkway. The site was the former home of the Johnson County Adult Education Program.
🥇 Home Sweet Homoly: Andrew and Mason Homoly of Homoly Design + Build have been named the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Custom Home Builder of the Year. With projects like THIS, we’re not surprised.
🍕 Pizza My Heart: Imo’s Pizza, the “Original St. Louis Style Pizza” chain, will open at Metro North Crossing in late February. It will share a building with KPOT at 8502 North Jefferson St.
💰 Mahomes’ Money: The Chiefs have restructured Patrick Mahomes’ 2026 contract, creating $43.5 million in cap space. Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450 million contract in July 2020.
🏠 Affordable Housing: The Lenexa City Council approved the sale of 17 acres near 86th Ter. and Clare Road to Habitat for Humanity for a 50-home housing development.
🚀 Take Off: Are you ready for your local business to take off? Advertising with KC Daily allows you to reach 27,500+ newsletter readers and/or 50,000+ social media followers who love Kansas City.
*content is sponsored
Thanks for reading today’s newsletter! If you enjoyed it, share it with someone who went to one of the top high schools in the Kansas City area.
— Nick Hageman | Co-Founder @ KC Daily
