Wembley Stadium to host college football game in 2026 as Arizona State face Kansas in 'Union Jack Classic'

[ad_1] School soccer will likely be performed at Wembley Stadium for the primary time when Arizona State face Kansas in September 2026.

The 'Union Jack Traditional' sequence will characteristic a number of video games with totally different groups over the approaching years.

The NFL's 'Worldwide Collection' started in 2007 because the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins performed the primary aggressive recreation overseas and it was an enormous success, with a number of video games now going down within the UK annually. Video games have additionally been performed in Germany, Brazil and simply final week Eire.

School soccer has additionally constantly been performed overseas, with the Aer Lingus School Soccer Traditional going down at Eire's Aviva Stadium in every of the final 4 seasons.

Nonetheless, the Union Jack Traditional would be the first performed at Wembley Stadium and simply the second performed in London after a 1988 matchup between Richmond and Boston College.

<img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/25/09/768x432/skysports-wembley-stadium-london_7036936.jpg?20250930103858" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/25/09/384x216/skysports-wembley-stadium-london_7036936.jpg?20250930103858 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/09/768x432/skysports-wembley-stadium-london_7036936.jpg?20250930103858 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/09/1600x900/skysports-wembley-stadium-london_7036936.jpg?20250930103858 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/09/2048x1152/skysports-wembley-stadium-london_7036936.jpg?20250930103858 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="An view of Wembley Stadium from a drone" data-testid="article-image-image"/> Picture: School soccer is heading to Wembley Stadium in 2026 Brian Dubiski, Chairman and CEO of Union Jack Traditional mentioned: "We're proud to make historical past by bringing American School Soccer to London on a world stage. Internet hosting two elite Massive 12 packages at Wembley Stadium positions this matchup because the premier worldwide showcase for our sport, and we stay up for delivering an unforgettable expertise for followers and companions worldwide."

Brett Yormark, Massive 12 Commissioner, mentioned: "I am thrilled that Massive 12 soccer will likely be heading to London for the first-ever school soccer recreation at Wembley Stadium. I've usually mentioned my aim is for the Massive 12 to be essentially the most globally related convention in school athletics. Increasing our worldwide presence will elevate our model, create new alternatives for student-athletes, and open the door to significant business development for the league."

Who're the groups? <img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/25/10/768x432/skysports-sam-leavitt-arizona-state_7038189.jpg?20251001142028" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/25/10/384x216/skysports-sam-leavitt-arizona-state_7038189.jpg?20251001142028 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/10/768x432/skysports-sam-leavitt-arizona-state_7038189.jpg?20251001142028 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/10/1600x900/skysports-sam-leavitt-arizona-state_7038189.jpg?20251001142028 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/10/2048x1152/skysports-sam-leavitt-arizona-state_7038189.jpg?20251001142028 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10)" data-testid="article-image-image"/> Picture: Arizona State Solar Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt is predicted to be a excessive NFL draft choose when he chooses to show skilled The Arizona State Solar Devils and Kansas Jayhawks are rivals within the 'Massive 12', one of many 'Energy 4' conferences that compete on the highest degree of school soccer.

Arizona State have had gamers comparable to Terrell Suggs, Zach Miller and most lately New York Giants working again Cam Skattebo drafted into the NFL. They're at present ranked as one of many prime 25 school groups in America.

Kansas are one of many oldest school soccer packages - their first season was in 1890. Notable former Jayhawks embody Gale Sayers and Aqib Talib.

Kansas Director of Athletics Travis Goff mentioned: "That is the right second in time for Kansas Soccer to blaze an uncharted path to historic Wembley Stadium in London. This chance is reflective of the expansion and trajectory of our soccer program and your complete College, and can present our followers and student-athletes an unprecedented expertise.

"We're excited that our season ticket holders and college students will nonetheless have six alternatives to observe a recreation at The Sales space subsequent season as that challenge is being accomplished, whereas additionally having the possibility to see the Jayhawks play worldwide for the primary time ever. Our dedication is to offer a first-class, generational expertise for our program and supporters, whereas showcasing Jayhawk Soccer and the College of Kansas on a world stage."

Arizona State Athletics Director Graham Rossini added: "The Massive 12 is main the cost to take school soccer international, and we're proud to be a part of it. School sports activities are about offering our student-athletes with life-changing experiences, and taking part in within the Union Jack Traditional at Wembley Stadium will likely be an unimaginable one. With practically 18,000 worldwide college students from 160 nations, ASU already thrives on a world stage, and we won't wait to showcase Solar Satan Soccer and Arizona State College to followers throughout Europe."

Watch the Minnesota Vikings in opposition to the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium stay on Sky Sports activities NFL from 2.30pm on Sunday.