Why is Arizona State, Kansas playing at Wembley Stadium in Week 3? - USA Today
When it comes to American football, Wembley Stadium is best known for hosting NFL games as part of the league's international schedule.
That changes on Saturday, Sept. 19, however, as the historic London venue hosts its first-ever college football game.
The two teams set to make college football history are Arizona State and Kansas. The Sun Devils and Jayhawks will kick off at noon ET inside Wembley in their Big 12 opener. Both teams have traveled across the pond looking to bounce back from Week 2 losses.
Kenny Dillingham's Arizona State squad fell to Texas A&M on the road in a game in which first-year starter Cutter Boley threw two interceptions and the Sun Devils were outscored 24-0 in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks dropped the Border War against Missouri at home. Kansas was held to just seven points in the second half after being tied 14-14 with the Tigers at halftime.
Arizona State beat Kansas on a last-second touchdown pass from former Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt in the first-ever meeting between the two programs last season in Tempe, Arizona.
Saturday's game between the two Big 12 foes is significant enough to bring Fox's Big Noon Kickoff to London, where the network will broadcast its two-hour pregame show live from across the pond.
The Week 3 matchup between Arizona State and Kansas will be played at Wembley Stadium, the historic London venue known for hosting major musical concerts, international soccer matches and NFL games.
Saturday's Big 12 matchup between the Sun Devils and Jayhawks is part of the conference's initiatives to grow its global presence in the first-ever Union Jack Classic.
"I’m thrilled that Big 12 football will be heading to London for the first-ever college football game at Wembley Stadium," Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said in a 2025 statement. "I’ve often said my goal is for the Big 12 to be the most globally relevant conference in college athletics.
"Expanding our international presence will elevate our brand, create new opportunities for student-athletes, and open the door to meaningful commercial growth for the league."
Saturday's matchup between Arizona State and Kansas, a designated home game for the Jayhawks, will mark the first college football game played at the stadium.
"This is the perfect moment in time for Kansas Football to blaze an uncharted trail to historic Wembley Stadium in London," Kansas Director of Athletics Travis Goff said in a 2025 statement. "This opportunity is reflective of the growth and trajectory of our football program and the entire university, and will provide our fans and student-athletes an unprecedented experience."
As noted by The Arizona Republic — part of the USA TODAY Network — the Sun Devils sold out their initial allotment of 6,000 tickets for the international game and then sold an additional 3,000 tickets.
"We can't wait to get to London," Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini said in August. "Incredible opportunity. The closer it gets, the more we recognize the significance of the game there. We get to set the stage for college football and what it will look like there. Everywhere you go, there are fans talking about their trips and what they're doing before London, going to Ireland or Scotland to golf, going on Mediterranean river cruises. In true Sun Devil fashion, people are taking advantage of the opportunity."
The Sun Devils and the Jayhawks are set for a noon ET kickoff (5 p.m. BST) on Saturday, Sept. 19 from Wembley Stadium in London.
Be sure to check out USA TODAY Sports' new College Football Unfiltered podcast, hosted by USA TODAY Sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer. You can stream on YouTube or download via Apple podcasts and Spotify.
