Via Kansas Athletics
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas Football is going international in a way no college football team ever has before.
The Big 12 Conference, along with host institution Kansas, announced today that the Jayhawks will square off with Arizona State in the first-ever Union Jack Classic at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
The matchup will mark the first-ever college football game at Wembley Stadium, a historic venue that opened in 1923 and has hosted multiple Summer Olympics, a World Cup final, the legendary Live Aid concert, several NFL games and many more historic moments.
It will now add college football to its vast list of events.
The game will serve as a home matchup for the Jayhawks, who will still play six home games at the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in 2026. With the east side of the stadium slated for construction following the 2025 season and throughout the 2026 season, Kansas will have reduced capacity for home games next season.
“This is the perfect moment in time for Kansas Football to blaze an uncharted trail to historic Wembley Stadium in London,” Kansas Director of Athletics Travis Goff said. “This opportunity is reflective of the growth and trajectory of our football program and the entire University, and will provide our fans and student-athletes an unprecedented experience. We’re excited that our season ticket holders and students will still have six opportunities to watch a game at The Booth next season as that project is being completed, while also having the chance to see the Jayhawks play international for the first time ever.
“Our commitment is to provide a first-class, generational experience for our program and supporters, while showcasing Jayhawk Football and the University of Kansas on a global stage.”
Kansas fans interested in attending the game, can visit here as more information on tickets and travel packages will be updated in the coming weeks and months. A timeline for presale opportunities for Kansas fans is below:
- Oread Level Pre-Sale: Monday, October 6
- Hall of Fame Level Pre-Sale: Tuesday, October 7
- Champion Level Pre-Sale: Wednesday, October 8
- Olympian, Campanile, All-American Levels Pre-Sale: Monday, October 13
- Remaining Donors & Faculty/Staff Pre-Sale (Legend to Outland): Tuesday, October 14
- KU Alumni & KU Past Purchasers: Wednesday, October 15
Tickets will go on-sale to the general public on October 9th. If fans would like to sit within official KU sections they will need to purchase during the KU pre-sale process. The public on-sale will not contain any tickets in official KU sections. An email will be sent to each Membership Level on the day of their pre-sale with specific instructions and links to purchase tickets and/or hospitality.
“We are thrilled to take Kansas Football internationally to London for the 2026 Union Jack Classic,” Kansas head coach Lance Leipold said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our student-athletes to travel and play internationally in the first-ever college football game at Wembley Stadium. We’re excited to be part of college football’s international growth in its infancy, as the sport continues to expand globally.”
Leipold continued: “I would like to thank the Union Jack Classic, Travis Goff and our administration, the Big 12 Conference and Arizona State Athletics for making this experience happen. It will be an exciting time for our team, KU fans, and football fans across the world as we bring a Big 12 Conference football game to London.”
The Union Jack Classic will be the third Big 12 football game in two seasons played in Europe, which began with Iowa State’s and K-State’s 2025 season opener in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. TCU will face North Carolina in the same event to open the 2026 season.
“I’m thrilled that Big 12 football will be heading to London for the first-ever college football game at Wembley Stadium,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “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.”
The Jayhawks’ matchup with the Sun Devils will take place during Week Three of the 2026 season. Kansas will be the designated home team for the Conference match-up between the two schools.
“We are proud to make history by bringing American College Football to London on a global stage”, said Brian Dubiski, Chairman/CEO of Union Jack Classic. “Hosting two elite Big 12 programs at Wembley Stadium positions this matchup as the premier international showcase for our sport, and we look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience for fans and partners worldwide.”
