The first-ever Union Jack Classic, a college American football game between two Division I teams, kicks off today at Wembley Stadium at 5pm. The Kansas Jayhawks will take on the Arizona State Sun Devils in what is only the second college football game ever held in London, following the first in 1988 at Crystal Palace. Around 60,000 fans are expected to attend, and tickets remain available on Ticketmaster.
What is the Union Jack Classic?
The Union Jack Classic brings the traditional American college football experience to North London, complete with marching bands, spirit squads, and tailgate parties outside the stadium. Pre-events were held in Central London on Friday, September 18, to build anticipation for the occasion. The NFL has regularly hosted games in London in recent years, and now the college scene aims to make its mark in the UK.
Both teams enter the game with 1-1 records and will look to rebound from recent losses. Kansas is led by quarterback Isaiah Marshall, who has thrown for 414 yards and four touchdowns in his first two career starts. Arizona State's quarterback Cutter Boley has already thrown for eight touchdowns in just two games.
Tailgate and entertainment schedule
The tailgate, a staple of American football, will be a central feature of the Union Jack Classic. Kansas City-born hip hop artist Tech N9ne will headline the pre-game tailgate, joined by Logan Mac and DJ Special Ed. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the atmosphere, with the main tailgate party beginning at 10:00, seven hours before kick-off.
Cheerleaders and marching bands will perform on Wembley Way, with hundreds of musical instruments shipped to the UK for the event. The KU Marching Jayhawks and the Arizona State Sun Devil Marching Band, along with both universities' spirit squads, will perform at Wembley. At half-time, Brazilian violin duo B2wins will join the marching bands. Deb Orah will perform the British National Anthem before kick-off, while guitarist and singer Paige Blake will perform the U.S. National Anthem on electric guitar.
Last-minute tickets and pricing
Wembley Stadium holds 80,000 people, and with 60,000 fans expected, tickets are still available on Ticketmaster. Individual tickets are priced at £73.20, while groups of four can purchase tickets at £53 each. General admission tickets and hospitality packages for Saturday, 19 September are on sale.
Brian Dubiski, Co-Founder and CEO of Union Jack Classic, said: “There’s nothing quite like seeing college football live, and we are so excited to give the UK the chance to witness the excitement right here in London. This is a moment in history: not only for college football, but also for sport in the UK, and for Wembley Stadium, and we are delighted that the University of Kansas and Arizona State University will be trailblazers for playing the inaugural Union Jack Classic.”
Dubiski added: “For many in attendance, it will be their first taste of college football – a sport myself and my partners have played and spent our entire lives watching every week – so we have thrown out all the stops to bring the glitz and glamour of college football to Wembley, with both universities’ marching bands and spirit squads on show.”
