Union Jack Classic
Planned series of American college football games in London, England
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The Union Jack Classic is a planned series of neutral-site American football games featuring NCAA Division I FBS programs, to be played annually in London, England. Multiple outlets reported in September 2025 that the inaugural game is scheduled for September 19, 2026 at Wembley Stadium, matching the Kansas Jayhawks against the Arizona State Sun Devils in a Big 12 Conference matchup, as part of a multi-year agreement to stage the event in London.[1][2][3][4]
| Union Jack Classic | |
|---|---|
| Status | Planned |
| Genre | College football |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Venue | Wembley Stadium |
| Locations | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Years active | 2026–present |
| Inaugurated | September 19, 2026 |
Background
The Big 12 has emphasized international expansion under commissioner Brett Yormark. Coverage of the Union Jack Classic described the London series as aligned with that effort, with additional Big 12 matchups under discussion beyond 2026.[3][2] Industry reporting also indicated that a presale window for each participating school's alumni and season-ticket holders was expected before general on-sale.[5]
The Union Jack Classic would be the first FBS game held in England and only the second college football game played in London; the first was the Imperial Bowl at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on October 16, 1988, in which Richmond defeated Boston University 20–17.[6][7][4]
Games
| Year | Date | Matchup | Stadium | City | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | September 19, 2026 | Kansas vs Arizona State | Wembley Stadium | London, England | Reported; planned Big 12 game (Week 3). | [1][2][8][4] |