Arizona State defeated Kansas 24-17 in the inaugural Union Jack Classic at Wembley Stadium, marking the first college football game played at the iconic London venue. Organisers aimed to replicate an authentic U.S. college gameday, opening the main tailgate at 10am — seven hours before kickoff — with rapper Tech N9ne performing. Arizona State alumni hosted nearly 2,000 fans, while rival marching bands battled on Wembley Way during Fox Sports’ live pre-game show.

About 15,000 American fans travelled for the game, split between 9,000 Sun Devils and 6,000 Jayhawks supporters, creating a playoff-like atmosphere rare for neutral-site college games. Fans from 35 countries attended, many wearing jerseys of other schools like Oklahoma, Miami, and Texas. The event partnered with the British American Football Association and the Jacksonville Jaguars to engage UK grassroots, training over 1,050 British coaches and referees this year.

Attendance reached 46,523, below the 60,000 target, with the upper tier kept empty. Both teams brought 105 players, 90% of whom never held a passport before this trip. ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham called it a lifetime experience; Kansas coach Lance Leipold praised the hospitality.

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said the event exceeded expectations.