SPRINGFIELD, MO - The City of Springfield, Missouri has been selected as the host city for the national kickoff of America's Route 66 Centennial Celebration in 2026. After a competitive process, the city was named by the U.S. National Route 66 Centennial Commission and the Road Ahead Partnership, a national nonprofit working to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national icon and international destination.

Springfield applied on behalf of the Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission, established by Missouri Governor to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. The Commission is charged with preparing cities across Missouri for the celebration, planning events, encouraging citizen involvement, and providing information on Route 66 centennial activities. To date, the Commission has incentivized Missouri communities to plan events and design tourist attractions with more than $1 million in investments funded by the state of Missouri.

A kickoff concert featuring A-list entertainment will be held in the Historic Shrine Mosque on April 30, 2026, livestreamed around the world with cut-ins from Route 66 cities across the United States. April 30 is the anniversary of the telegram that was sent in 1926 from Springfield to Washington D.C. requesting that a new transcontinental road be named Route 66. 

Additional festivities in Springfield and across the state of Missouri will be announced at a later date. Visit celebratemo66.com for ongoing updates.

“I'm proud to celebrate Springfield's designation as the national kickoff city for the Route 66 Centennial Celebration in 2026. This recognition is a testament to Missouri's deep roots in the history of America's most iconic highway and to the vibrant spirit of the communities that keep that legacy alive today,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “Route 66 is more than just a road — it's a symbol of freedom, opportunity, and the American Dream. And there's no better place to begin the centennial celebration than right here in the city where it all began: Springfield, Missouri. I want to thank the Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission for their tireless work and leadership in helping us secure this national honor. Together, we're preserving the past, promoting tourism, and fueling pride for future generations across our state.”

The Road Ahead Partnership

The mission of the Road Ahead Partnership is to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national icon and international destination, benefitting all Route 66 communities, travelers, and businesses/attractions, through collaborative partnerships focused on promotion, preservation, research and education, and economic development.

In carrying out its mission, the Road Ahead is committed to achieving the following outcomes:

• Purposeful Preservation

• Effective Promotion

• Increased Prosperity

• Accurate Research and Education

Strong National, Tribal & International Collaboration

The Road Ahead Board of Directors comprises representatives from the eight states through which Route 66 runs and the Chairpersons of each of the organization's five Working Groups.

• Bill Thomas, Chairman
• Dwight Cannon, Illinois
• Elizabeth Olwig, Missouri
• Renee Charles, Kansas
• Rhys Martin, Oklahoma
• Gary Daggett, Texas
• Melissa Beasley- Lee, New Mexico
• Nikki Terlesky, Arizona
• Beth Murray, California
• David Bricker, Chair of the Preservation Working Group
• Casey Claypool, Chair of the Economic Development Working Group
• Dr. David Dunaway, Chair of the Research & Education Working Group
• Dries Bessel, International Working Group

U.S. National Route 66 Centennial Commission

Congress established the Route 66 Centennial Commission to study and recommend fitting and proper activities to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Mother Road of the United States, U.S. Route 66, in 2026. Including members from each of the eight states along Historic Route 66, the Commission is using a set of seven strategic principles to identify activities including:

• Celebrate & Honor

• Preserve, Protect & Enhance

• Generate Tourism Demand

• Tourism Development

• Economic

• National Collaboration
• Research & Education

Members include:

• Rod Reid (Chair), Co-Owner Shepherd Hills Factory Outlets
• Jen Paul Schroer (Vice Chair), Cabinet Secretary New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Dept
• Caroline Beteta, President & CEO Visit California
• Danielle Blackshear, Transportation Specialist, Federal Highway Administration
• Mark Falzone, President & CEO, Scenic America
• Tim Gatz, Secretary of Transportation, Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation
• Debbie Johnson, Sr. Vice President, Miles Partnership
• Dale Oglesby, Member, Kansas Route 66 Association
• Joan Sestak, Director of Community & Government Relations, University of Illinois - Springfield
• Hon. Juliana Stratton, Lieutenant Governor, State of Illinois
• Trait Thompson, Trait Thompson, Executive Director, Oklahoma Historical Society
• William Thomas, Road Ahead Chair, Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
• Michael Wallis, Co-founder, Route 66 Alliance
• Richard Ware, Chairman, Amarillo National Bank

Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission

Members include:

• Cora Scott (Chair), Springfield
• Rich Dinkela, St. Louis
• Renee Eichelberger, St. Louis
• Phyllis Ferguson, Springfield
• Lyndall D. Fraker, Marshfield
• Lula Mae “Luge” Hardman, Waynesville
• Mark Hecquet, Springfield
• Brian McDonough, Springfield
• Rebecca E. Rupard, Lebanon
• Ed Schott, Jefferson City
• Patrick Tuttle, Joplin
• Jacqueline “Jax” Welborn, Waynesville

About Visit Springfield, Missouri

Visit Springfield, Missouri is the official destination marketing organization for Greene, Christian and Polk counties in southwest Missouri. Dedicated to boosting the local economy, the organization drives tourism and group business—bringing in leisure travelers, conventions, meetings and sporting events—through innovative marketing initiatives. Visit springfieldmo.org to learn more.