Oct 5, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks in the fourth quarter at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Big 12 conference is heading across the pond for American football in 2026.

The conference announced on Wednesday, Oct. 1 that Arizona State and Kansas will compete in the first-ever Union Jack Classic at historic Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 as part of their Big 12 conference schedule.

"I’m thrilled that Big 12 football will be heading to London for the first-ever college football game at Wembley Stadium," Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement. "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."

Per the Big 12's news release, the Week 3 game next season between the Sun Devils and Jayhawks will be counted as a home game for Kansas, which recently unveiled its newly renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium following a renovation that cost well near of $450 million.

It will also be the second straight season that the Big 12 will play in an international game, as Iowa State and Kansas State competed in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin back in August.

"This is the perfect moment in time for Kansas Football to blaze an uncharted trail to historic Wembley Stadium in London," Kansas athletic director Travis Goff in a statement. "This opportunity is reflective of the growth and trajectory of our football program and the entire University, and will provide our fans and student-athletes an unprecedented experience."

Wembley Stadium is no stranger to hosting American footbal, as it has hosted a plethora of NFL games over the years, including this Oct. 5's matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns. Next year's game between Arizona State and Kansas, however, will be the first college football game played at the stadium that hosted Queen in 1985 for Live Aid.

"The Big 12 is leading the charge to take college football global, and we’re proud to be part of it," Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini said in a statement. "College sports are about providing our student-athletes with life-changing experiences, and playing in the Union Jack Classic at Wembley Stadium will be an incredible one. With nearly 18,000 international students from 160 countries, ASU already thrives on a global stage, and we can’t wait to showcase Sun Devil Football and Arizona State University to fans across Europe."

Arizona State beat Kansas 35-31 in the first-ever meeting between both programs last season at home in Tempe, Arizona on a last-second touchdown pass from Sun Devils quarterback Sam Levitt to wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with 16 seconds remaining.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona State, Kansas football to play Big 12 game at Wembley Stadium in 2026

Reporting by John Leuzzi, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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