College football’s about to make a bit of history this September with the first-ever Union Jack Classic. It’s Kansas Jayhawks versus Arizona State Sun Devils, and yes, they’re playing at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium.
FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff will broadcast the game live. The pregame show starts at 9 a.m. CT, and kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on FS1.
This is the first college football game ever played at Wembley, which is honestly pretty wild. Fans and players are in for something they won’t forget anytime soon.
The Significance of the Union Jack Classic
The Union Jack Classic isn’t just a regular game—it’s a big step for college football going global. It’s Kansas vs. Arizona State, sure, but it’s also a chance to show off American college football to fans all over the world.
Wembley Stadium couldn’t be a more fitting spot, given its legendary status in sports. That alone adds a certain buzz, doesn’t it?
FOX Big Noon Kickoff’s Role
FOX Big Noon Kickoff has been on a roll lately. The show averaged 1.8 million viewers in 2025, up 14 percent from the year before.
With the broadcast crew coming to Wembley, FOX is clearly aiming to capture all the pregame excitement and give the game a bigger spotlight. Having Big Noon Kickoff there should amp up the atmosphere—it’s hard to imagine college football fans missing this one.
Kansas Jayhawks: A Team to Watch
Lance Leipold’s Kansas Jayhawks have been making some real progress. They’re bringing back some key players, including:
- Calvin Clements, Offensive Tackle
- Cam Pickett, Wide Receiver
- Trey Lathan, Linebacker
- Blake Herold, Defensive Tackle
- Jalen Todd and Austin Alexander, Cornerbacks
There’s also a strong group of transfers and freshmen joining the mix. The combination of experience and new faces could make Kansas a tough matchup for Arizona State.
Previous Success with FOX
Kansas and FOX have some good history. In 2023, the Jayhawks hosted Big Noon Kickoff for the first time, leading up to a wild 38-33 homecoming win over No. 6 Oklahoma.
The Big 12 Conference, where Kansas plays, has seen its FOX viewership climb—averaging 2.25 million viewers last season, up six percent from 2024. FS1’s numbers for Big 12 games jumped 41 percent, too.
Arizona State Sun Devils: Ready for the Challenge
The Arizona State Sun Devils know how to handle big games. Their coaching staff has been putting in the work to get ready for London.
They’re hoping this international spotlight will boost their program and help bring in new talent. Arizona State’s definitely not planning to just show up—they want to make a statement at Wembley.
Building International Recognition
For both teams, the Union Jack Classic is a shot at building a global reputation. Playing in London opens up new fan bases and lets them show off college football’s energy to people who may not have seen it before.
Who knows? This could be the start of more international games down the road.
The Impact of the Union Jack Classic
This event could really shake things up for college football. Hosting a game at Wembley sets a new standard for taking the sport overseas.
It shows just how much college football’s popularity is growing, and how it can bring together fans from all over. FOX, the Big 12, and both teams are helping bridge cultures through the game.
Future Prospects
If the Union Jack Classic goes well, don’t be surprised if more international college football games pop up. High viewership and good vibes could convince other conferences to give it a shot.
We might be looking at a more global college football scene soon, with games in all sorts of places and a whole new crowd of fans discovering what makes this sport so addictive.
Conclusion
The Union Jack Classic is shaping up to be something special. It’s not every day you see college football take over Wembley Stadium, right?
FOX Big Noon Kickoff will be broadcasting live, which just adds to the buzz. Kansas and Arizona State facing off in London? That’s got to be a first.
There’s a real sense that college football’s reaching new corners of the world. Maybe this is just the beginning for more games like this overseas.
If you’re curious or thinking about going, check out the official Kansas Athletics website for more info and tickets.
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