KU football officially announces London game — and how & when you can buy tickets
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas will host Arizona State at Wembley Stadium Sept. 19, 2026, as a Big 12 game.
- The game counts as a Kansas home conference game while six Lawrence home dates remain.
- Big 12 seeks global growth; conference stages multiple Europe games to expand brand.
Kansas football is going international.
The Jayhawks will play Arizona State in the first-ever Union Jack Classic at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, the Big 12 conference announced Wednesday.
Tickets go on-sale next week.
General ticket sales will start on Thursday, Oct. 9. However, KU fans who want to sit in the official team sections will have to buy tickets during the presale process.
The Jayhawks have a complete list of ticket information, so far, on their website, kuathletics.com. Information about travel packages will also be updated in the coming weeks.
Here is the timeline for presale opportunities:
- Oread Level Pre-Sale: Monday, October 6
- Hall of Fame Level Pre-Sale: Tuesday, October 7
- Champion Level Pre-Sale: Wednesday, October 8
- Olympian, Campanile, All-American Levels Pre-Sale: Monday, October 13
- Remaining Donors & Faculty/Staff Pre-Sale (Legend to Outland): Tuesday, October 14
- KU Alumni & KU Past Purchasers: Wednesday, October 15
The KU site also lists an “interest form” in which fans can speak with a ticket office representative.
The game will count as a home conference game for Kansas. The Jayhawks will still play six home games in Lawrence in 2026. This London matchup will be the first-ever college football game at Wembley Stadium.
“We are thrilled to take Kansas football internationally to London for the 2026 Union Jack Classic,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said in a news release. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our student-athletes to travel and play internationally in the first-ever college football game at Wembley Stadium. We’re excited to be part of college football’s international growth in its infancy, as the sport continues to expand globally.”
Kansas athletic director Travis Goff said the game both reflects “the growth and trajectory” of the KU program and “will provide our fans and student-athletes an unprecedented experience.”
“We’re excited that our season ticket holders and students will still have six opportunities to watch a game at The Booth next season as that project is being completed,” Goff continued, “while also having the chance to see the Jayhawks play international for the first time ever.
“Our commitment is to provide a first-class, generational experience for our program and supporters, while showcasing Jayhawk football and the University of Kansas on a global stage.”
This matchup will mark the third time in two seasons that a Big 12 team (or teams) will play a game in Europe. Iowa State and K-State played their 2025 season opener in Dublin. TCU and North Carolina will play in Dublin in 2026.
“I’m thrilled that Big 12 football will be heading to London for the first-ever college football game at Wembley Stadium,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “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.”
This story was originally published October 1, 2025 at 12:05 PM.
