College football comes to London with Wembley Stadium set to host Arizona State-Kansas matchup in 2026

College football ranks behind only the NFL in terms of popularity in the United States. But despite hosting 39 NFL games since 2007, not to mention another three this month, London has never been the site of a college football game.

That will change in 2026.

The Arizona State Sun Devils and Kansas Jayhawks will square off at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 19, 2026 in what has been dubbed the Union Jack Classic, Big 12 conference commissioner Brett Yormark announced Wednesday.

'I'm thrilled that Big 12 football will be heading to London for the first-ever college football game at Wembley Stadium,' Yormark, a former NASCAR and Brooklyn Nets executive, said in a statement. 'I've often said my goal is for the Big 12 to be the most globally relevant conference in college athletics. Expanding our international presence will elevate our brand, create new opportunities for student-athletes, and open the door to meaningful commercial growth for the league.'

Organized by Rhino Marketing and Gemini Sports, both of which have extensive experience promoting U.S. sports in the U.K. and Europe, the game represents a dramatic departure for college football.

While Dublin has hosted the Aer Lingus College Football Classic for years, driving Irish tourism among American fans without attracting many local spectators, the new Union Jack Classic aims to make new fans in London.

And since the city has already embraced the NFL, with both Wembley and Tottenham hosting league games, the Big 12 is optimistic it can grow the college game in the UK.

'College football boasts some of the most tribal fans in American sports, and the U.K. can expect a truly immersive experience, with authentic American-style tailgating and vibrant pep rallies setting the stage before kickoff,' Yormark said. 'During halftime, Wembley Stadium will also host a show designed to capture the energy and spectacle of Saturday gamedays in the United States including cheerleaders and marching bands.'

Best of all, UK fans will get to see one of the top young coaches in the game with Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham, a 35-year-old who has helped to revitalize a program that was expected to fall off in 2024. Instead the Sun Devils went 11-3, won the Big 12 title and reached the College Football Playoff with a chance to win a national championship.

A long-time Pac-12 powerhouse, Arizona State (4-1) is now ranked No. 25 in the country after Saturday's thrilling upset of No. 24 Texas Christian.

Kansas, where legendary NFL running back Gale Sayers once played, fell to 3-2 with Saturday's 37-34 loss to Cincinnati.

Tickets will go on sale next week.