American college football arrived at Wembley Stadium — and it brought an atmosphere unlike anything the iconic venue had seen before
American college football arrived at Wembley Stadium — and it brought an atmosphere unlike anything the iconic venue had seen before.
On Saturday, 19 September 2026, Wembley Stadium became the stage for the inaugural Union Jack Classic, as the Arizona State Sun Devils faced the Kansas Jayhawks in a landmark Big 12 matchup.
For a stadium more commonly associated with English football, international finals and some of the biggest sporting occasions in the world, this was something different.
This was college football.
And London embraced it.
A COLLEGE FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE IN LONDON
The action started long before kickoff.
Wembley Way was transformed with the sights and sounds of an American college gameday, with fans arriving in team colours, tailgate-style entertainment, cheerleaders, marching bands and plenty of American football culture.
The marching bands were a particular highlight, bringing the spectacle and tradition that makes college football so distinctive.
Inside Wembley, the atmosphere continued to build as thousands of Kansas and Arizona State supporters filled the stadium.
By kickoff, 46,523 fans were in attendance — giving London a taste of one of the most colourful and energetic sporting cultures in the United States. (University of Kansas)
For a photographer, it was a dream environment.
There were stories everywhere.
The players arriving onto the field.
The bands.
The fans.
The emotion on the sidelines.
The anticipation before the first snap.
And, of course, the action itself.
Special Teams Make the Difference
While the final score was 24-17, the statistics tell an even more interesting story.
Special teams played a huge role throughout the afternoon.
Kansas had its spectacular punt return.
Arizona State had Hamilton’s 100-yard kickoff return.
And ASU punter Nick McLarty repeatedly gave his team excellent field position, finishing with nine punts for a combined 382 yards. (Cronkite News)
Arizona State also produced a remarkable defensive play when 305-pound lineman Hyrum Vaeono recovered a fumble and returned it 77 yards, coming agonisingly close to the end zone.
The Sun Devils ultimately held their advantage, with both teams exchanging touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Kansas pushed hard late on, but Arizona State held on to claim a 24-17 victory and the inaugural Union Jack Classic trophy. (University of Kansas)
MORE THAN JUST A GAME
For everyone inside Wembley, though, the significance went beyond the final score.
This was about bringing a completely different sporting culture to London.
American college football is about much more than what happens between the lines. It’s the bands, the traditions, the rivalries, the supporters, the pageantry and the sense of community surrounding the game.
That was evident throughout the day.
Kansas fans brought their famous “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk” tradition.
Arizona State supporters brought the energy of the Sun Devils.
And Wembley provided the backdrop.
It was a fascinating combination of American college football tradition and one of Britain’s most famous sporting venues.
FROM BEHIND THE CAMERA
For me, photographing the Union Jack Classic was about capturing all of that.
Not just the touchdowns.
Not just the tackles.
But the story of the day.
The anticipation before kickoff.
The intensity on the sidelines.
The reactions in the stands.
The marching bands.
The celebrations.
The disappointment.
The huge plays.
And those small, fleeting moments that can disappear almost instantly.
Sports photography is about being in the right place at the right time — but it’s also about understanding what makes an event important.
And this one was certainly important.
the UK.
A New Chapter for College Football in the UK
The Union Jack Classic represented a significant step in the Big 12’s efforts to expand its international presence, with the conference indicating its interest in continuing to build its presence in London. (The Guardian)
Whether college football becomes a regular fixture at Wembley remains to be seen.
But for one Saturday in September 2026, London got a spectacular introduction to the sport.
And Arizona State left Wembley with the first Union Jack Classic victory.
Final Score:
Arizona State Sun Devils 24
Kansas Jayhawks 17
A historic day.
A new audience.
A new chapter.
And thousands of moments captured along the way.
