THE APEX TIMES
Arizona State and Kansas will square off at Wembley Stadium on Sept. 19 in a Big 12 matchup, with FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff traveling overseas for the first time in its program history.
FOX Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff is taking its production across the Atlantic for the first time, with the inaugural Union Jack Classic scheduled for Sept. 19 at Wembley Stadium. The event will feature a Big 12 showdown between Arizona State and Kansas, placing two conference opponents on one of the most recognizable stages in world sports.
The matchup is framed as part of the broader push to globalize major college football brands, and it gives both programs an early-season storyline before conference play deepens. For Arizona State, it means traveling to London for a headline non-traditional setting. For Kansas, it creates an unusual recruiting and visibility moment, putting the Jayhawks in front of an international audience on a national broadcast.
Big Noon Kickoff is known for pairing marquee matchups with a consistent kickoff window, and this edition extends that identity to an overseas game location. The story is not just about the teams, but also about the broadcast product, with FOX Sports describing the trip as the show’s first overseas venture in program history.
Wembley Stadium brings a different atmosphere and logistical profile than a typical Big 12 home venue. Even without changing the competitive format, playing in London typically alters the rhythm teams follow leading into kickoff, including travel, recovery, and routine adjustments. The governing factor remains the same for both programs, however: the on-field result counts in the same way a conference game would for their league standings and bowl positioning.
From a conference perspective, the Union Jack Classic functions as a statement game for the Big 12 early in the season. A conference headliner on a global stage can elevate the profile of the league’s brand beyond its usual U.S. footprint, and a Kansas vs. Arizona State pairing provides contrasting regional and stylistic identities for viewers who may be seeing one or both programs for the first time.
The Big 12’s schedule structure still matters more than the location when it comes to the title picture. This matchup’s placement on Sept. 19 means it sits relatively early, when teams are still settling in, shaping depth charts, and locking roles across offense and defense. A strong performance can set a tone, but it also comes with the expectation that both teams will continue developing through the rest of conference play.
What to watch next is how both programs handle the unique calendar and environment. In the immediate term, fans will want to see how each team prepares for a Wembley crowd, how early-game execution looks in a travel-influenced week, and how the result reshapes the first major standings narrative for the Big 12.