The Union Jack Classic made its mark on Saturday as Arizona State claimed a 24-17 victory over Kansas at Wembley Stadium, drawing more than 46,000 spectators to London for the inaugural college football contest at the iconic venue. While the attendance fell short of the 60,000 capacity target, organizers celebrated a successful debut that highlighted the growing global appeal of NCAA football.
Approximately 15,000 supporters traveled from the United States, with a 9,000-strong Arizona State contingent outweighing the 6,000 Kansas fans in attendance. The pre-game festivities began hours before kick-off, featuring tailgate parties that stretched back to 10 am. Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne entertained the crowd at the main tailgate, while Fox Sports staged an outdoor studio on Wembley Way to amplify the rivalry between the two teams.
The event drew international interest, with ticket buyers representing 35 countries. Organizers also targeted the UK’s grassroots football community, partnering with the British American Football Association and British Universities and Colleges Sport. Over 1,050 British coaches and referees have been trained through the Union Jack Classic initiative this year alone.
Despite the large number of participants, the athletic performance did not fully match the spectacle. Arizona State’s win was seen by some as flattering to Kansas, and the in-game entertainment lacked the full scale of typical US college events. With only 105 players per squad and roughly 90% of them holding passports for the first time, the logistical feat was significant, but the stadium was only about half full, with the upper tier left empty to concentrate the crowd.
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham praised the hospitality, noting that the trip would be a lasting memory for his team and staff. Kansas head coach Lance Leipold echoed the sentiment, describing the facilities and organization as outstanding.
Brett Yormark, commissioner of the Big 12 Conference, expressed that the event exceeded expectations regarding crowd energy and local community engagement. Following the success, Yormark indicated that other Big 12 institutions are interested in future London appearances. An announcement regarding next year’s match is expected within the coming months, as the conference continues to explore international expansion following recent games in Dublin.
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