Get ready for some history on the field, but not where you’d expect! College football is going global. The Kansas Jayhawks and Arizona State Sun Devils are set to play at London’s Wembley Stadium. It’s the first time ever that an FBS college football game is happening at this famous place. This game isn’t just for show. It’s a real Big 12 conference game, so the score matters. This is real history.
If you love American college football, this is huge. For London, it’s new. Wembley is known for soccer finals, NFL games, concerts, and other big sports moments. But having college players in a place known for soccer chants feels odd. It shows how much the sport wants to grow.
This game isn’t random. Picking Kansas and Arizona State matters. Kansas has gotten better after a rough patch, which shows how tough they are. Arizona State has loyal fans and a long history, bringing tradition to the table. Together, they’re great examples of what college football is all about: the effort, the pride, the music, and the culture. It’s all going to England.
Taking college football out of the U.S. feels risky. It’s always been a very American thing with tailgates, bands, and long-time rivalries. That’s hard to explain to someone who grew up with European soccer. But the Big 12 thinks there are fans in Europe. The NFL has already shown that people in London will come to football games. Even if they don’t understand the rules, they’ll cheer. Now, college football wants its turn.
Think about it: Americans in team colors flying over to London. English pubs filled with college fight songs alongside soccer chants. Locals show up to see what it’s all about. And on the field, two teams will play for a Big 12 win. You don’t see that every day.
The travel plans alone make this a big deal. Teams will fly thousands of miles, deal with the time change, and try to stick to their routines. Coaches will worry about sleep and jet lag. Players will take it all in but still focus on the game. Schools will handle tickets and travel, hoping fans will come along. It’s part football, part getting to know a new culture.
And what about the fans? Americans living in Europe must be excited. Many haven’t seen a college game in person for years. British fans can see a sport they’ve only watched on TV. For the schools, it’s a way to get noticed. Kansas and Arizona State will show off what they have to offer to a new crowd. You can bet they’re already thinking about selling merchandise and getting more media attention. But some people in the U.S. aren’t happy. They say it’s not fair to take a real conference game away from the fans at home. People who bought season tickets might miss out on a great game. They might feel like money is more important than loyalty, and in a way, it is. College sports are now more global, commercial, and focused on big news. This game proves it.
Still, it’s a big moment. Playing at Wembley shows how far college football has traveled. Years ago, even the NFL didn’t know if it could win over fans in other countries. Now, college teams are moving in, bringing their traditions to new places. It’s brave and a little risky, but it could be the start of something bigger.
Think about the players. For many, it’ll be their first time out of the country, hearing fans cheer in different accents. They’ll sing their school songs beneath the arch of Wembley, not at their home stadium. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. It also shows that sports are about more than just the score. They are about moments. This game will make a moment for the players, the fans, and everyone watching on TV. Even if the game isn’t close, it’ll still be remembered because it’s something new.
For the Big 12, this is just the start. If it goes well, expect more games like this. Other teams might play in places like Paris or Berlin. College football being played overseas might sound odd now. The same was said about the NFL in London, and that’s normal now.
So, Kansas and Arizona State at Wembley is more than just another game. It proves that college football is growing and looking beyond its borders. The game is changing. The Jayhawks and Sun Devils are the ones leading the way.
When the game begins, under Wembley’s big arch, it won’t just be about winning. It’ll show that college football now belongs to the world, not just America.