Stadium de Wembley to host the university football match in 2026 while Arizona State will face Kansas in “Union Jack Classic” | NFL News

University football will be played at the Wembley stadium for the first time when the Arizona State will face Kansas in September 2026.

The “Union Jack Classic” series will present several games with various teams in the coming years.

The NFL “international series” began in 2007 while the New York and Miami Dolphins giants played the first competitive game abroad and it was a huge success, with several games that take place in the United Kingdom every year. Games were also played in Germany, Brazil and last week, Ireland.

University football has also always been played abroad, with the classic university football Aer Lingus which takes place at the Aviva stadium in Ireland in each of the last four seasons.

However, the Union Jack Classic will be the first play at Wembley Stadium and just the second played in London after a 1988 match between Richmond and the University of Boston.

Brian Dubiski, Chairman and CEO of Union Jack Classic, said: “We are proud to make history by bringing American university football to London to a world scene. Inheriting two Big 12 elite programs at the Wembley stadium positions this match as the first international showcase of our sport, and we are impatient to offer an unforgettable experience for fans and partners from the whole world.”

Brett Yormmark, Big 12 commissioner, said: “I am delighted that football Big 12 will go to London for the very first university football match at the Wembley stadium. I have often said that my goal is that the Big 12 is the most relevant conference in the world in terms of university athletics. Widening our international presence will raise our brand, create new opportunities for student-athletes and open the door to significant commercial growth.”

Who are the teams?

The Arizona State Sun Devils and Kansas Jayhawks are rival in the “Big 12”, one of the “Power Four” conferences that are competing at the highest level of university football.

Arizona State had players such as Terrell Suggs, Zach Miller and, more recently, the New York Giants, the Ballon Carrier Cam Skattebo, drafted in the NFL. They are currently classified among the 25 best university teams in America.

Kansas is one of the oldest university football programs – their first season took place in 1890. The old notable Jayhawks include Gale Sayers and Aqib Talib.

Kansas athletics director, Travis Goff, said: “This is the ideal time in time for Kansas football to show an unexplored path of the historic stadium of Wembley in London. This opportunity reflects the growth and trajectory of our football and academic program, and will offer our fans and students an unprecedented experience.

“We are delighted that our holders of season tickets and our students will always have six opportunities to watch a match on the stand next season when this project will be finished, while having the chance to see the Jayhawks playing international for the very first time. Our commitment is to provide a first -class generational experience for our program and our supporters.”

Arizona State athletics director Graham Rossini added: “The Big 12 leads the charge to take the global global, and we are proud to be part of it. University sports are to offer our students-athletes experiences that change life, and to play in the Jack Classic union at the Wembley stadium will be incredible.

Look at the Minnesota Vikings against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium live on Sky Sports NFL from 2:30 p.m. Sunday.