When one thinks of Wembley Stadium, they probably imagine a soccer game or a sold-out concert.  But in 2026, Wembley will host a completely different event for the first time.  An American college football team will meet in England.

For a while now, the NFL has been looking to expand its reach, particularly to European fans who are interested in the sport but don’t have much direct contact with it.  The game is part of that effort, and it’s expected to be a huge hit with local fans.

A Global Trend

College football has been expanding beyond the US for a while now.  One such fixture is the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, and it’s been the most consistent.  London last saw a college football game in 1988 at Crystal Palace.

Wembley has a long history with American football, however.  It’s been the spot for the NFL International Series since 2007, regularly drawing over 80,000 fans per game.  According to Webopedia, home teams usually have a slight advantage in potential outcomes, but this wasn’t the case in games played abroad with a designated home team.

Why the Game Matters

For the Big 12 Conference, the game is important just because it’s based abroad.  It’s a way for the brand to find an audience abroad and to showcase its talent and appeal.  It’s also a gateway to European broadcasting deals, which could be very lucrative.

For Kansas, the game is a statement.  The team has improved its infrastructure, including its home stadium.  It’s been on an upward trajectory for a while now, and it’s ready to showcase it to the world.

Arizona State, on the other hand, already has an established fan base abroad, and the game is therefore a way for it to reach out to them and to form a stronger bond.  Sun Devils will also use the event to enhance recruiting exposure.  There are ongoing branding efforts to expand the brand into foreign markets, and other teams will follow along.

The Union Jack Classic: A Historic Matchup

The event will be called the Union Jack Classic and feature the Kansas Jayhawks and the Arizona State Sun Devils.  The two teams will meet in September 2026, and preparations are already underway.  According to the best crypto NFL betting sites, the odds will have to account for the fact that there’s no home-team advantage.  These sites allow players to bet on sports events using crypto as a payment method and without providing personal data.

The Big 12 Conference, in partnership with the event organizers and the NCAA, treats the game as a statement about its efforts to go global and host more NFL events abroad.

The Logistics of a Game Abroad

The hosting efforts will require significant planning from everyone involved in the UK and the US.  The game is almost a year away, and preparations are already underway.  The stadium needs to be configured to meet NFL standards, and the turf and equipment will be imported from the US.  The fans will experience the event as Americans would, complete with marching bands and cheerleaders.

The time zone difference will present a problem for players who will need to fly ahead of time to train and acclimate.  US fans, on the other hand, will have to simply power through or skip this one and let the British enjoy the game on their own.

The game will probably break a college football record for a game played abroad, as Wembley has 90.000 seats.

Criticism

Not everyone is thrilled with the game being played in England.  Some fans feel it’s a game taken away from them because they can’t follow the team abroad.  This is especially true for those with season tickets.  The trip is also difficult for the players and may affect their performance.

Some European fans are also opposed to efforts to import American football culture, but those voices are becoming a rarity among younger fans.  There are opinions that college football in particular is a very niche interest in Europe, but the organizers believe they’ll fill every seat.

To Sum Up

The Kansas Jayhawks and the Arizona State will meet in Wembley Stadium in September 2026.  It will be the biggest college football event based abroad.  There have been a few such events decades ago, while the NFL has hosted events in the UK every year since 2007.

The game is part of the broader effort by the NFL to appeal to European fans, and it’s also a chance to sign broadcasting deals.  The fans are excited, and American football has a relatively small but strong following in the UK.  Chances are, Wembley will be packed, even though some US fans are disappointed with the whole project.