Marina
In a landmark moment for college football, Arizona State and Kansas are slated to face off in a Big 12 Conference clash at London’s Wembley Stadium on September 19, 2026.
This matchup is expected to be part of a multi-year international series, bringing top-tier college football to one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.
Key Match Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Kansas Jayhawks |
| Date | September 19, 2026 |
| Location | Wembley Stadium, London, England |
| Stadium Capacity | 86,000 (for American football configuration) |
| Event Series Name | Union Jack Classic |
| Conference | Big 12 |
| Season Week | Week 3 of the 2026 season |
| Previous International Games | Iowa State vs. Kansas State in Dublin (2025), Georgia Tech vs. Florida State in Dublin (2024) |
| Planned 2026 Overseas Games | TCU vs. North Carolina in Ireland, Michigan vs. Central Michigan in Germany |
A Big 12 Leap Across the Atlantic
This game symbolizes the Big 12’s strategic global expansion. By staging a full-scale conference matchup in London, the league aims to grow its brand, attract new international fans, and open global recruiting pipelines.
For Arizona State, this marks a return to international play for the first time since competing in Tokyo in 1990.
For Kansas, it will be their first-ever game outside the United States—an unforgettable milestone for the program and its supporters.
Scheduling Shifts and Logistics
Both teams are making significant scheduling adjustments to accommodate this overseas clash:
- Arizona State had originally been slated to host Hawaii on the same weekend and will reschedule that game.
- Kansas was scheduled to play Middle Tennessee and is seeking to move that matchup to Week 0 with NCAA approval.
Organizers have selected Week 3 to avoid conflict with traditional Week 0 and Week 1 international games, giving both teams time to settle into their season before the trip.
Why Wembley?
Wembley Stadium, with its 86,000-seat capacity and world-class facilities, is no stranger to American football, hosting at least one NFL game annually since 2007.
The stadium’s global prestige makes it the ideal venue to showcase the passion and pageantry of college football to an international audience.
Potential Challenges
While excitement builds, there are notable challenges:
- Travel & Fatigue: Crossing time zones could affect performance, requiring early travel and acclimatization.
- Academic Impact: Players must balance travel schedules with class commitments.
- Weather & Field Conditions: London’s unpredictable weather could influence gameplay.
Despite these hurdles, the payoff of global exposure outweighs the logistical complexities.
The upcoming Arizona State vs. Kansas showdown at Wembley Stadium in 2026 represents a groundbreaking step in college football’s global journey.
This historic matchup will spotlight the excitement and tradition of the sport on one of the world’s most renowned stages.
As the Big 12 pushes its international footprint, fans can expect a thrilling clash that could pave the way for even more overseas college football games in the years to come.