Wembley hosts US college football clash with 15,000 travelling fans

Wembley Stadium welcomed US college football on Saturday as Kansas faced Arizona State (ASU), with organisers UJC aiming to recreate an authentic American college gameday atmosphere in London.

The main tailgate party opened seven hours before kick-off, featuring food, drink and music — a tradition far bigger in college football than at NFL games. ASU alumni held their own gathering with nearly 2,000 attendees, while Fox Sports ran a live pre-game show from an outdoor studio surrounded by fans on Wembley Way.

Fans from around the world

About 15,000 fans travelled from the US for the game, split roughly between 9,000 ASU supporters and 6,000 Kansas fans. Tickets were sold to fans from 35 countries, with many wearing jerseys from other NFL and college teams, including some from British university programmes. More than 100 UK universities field American football teams, and UJC organisers specifically targeted these players, partnering with the British American Football Association and other bodies. This year the UJC has helped train more than 1,050 British coaches and referees.

Attendance reached 46,523, below the 60,000 organisers had planned for. ASU won the game 24-17. Each team brought 105 players to London, and 90% of them had never held a passport before the trip.

Future plans

Big 12 Conference commissioner Brett Yormark praised the event and confirmed UJC has signed a multi-year exclusive deal with Wembley. The conference has also staged two games in Dublin over the past 13 months and is exploring further international expansion. An announcement on the teams for next year's London game is expected within the next month or two.