The Big 12 is currently in talks to host a college football game at London's Wembley Stadium between Arizona State and Kansas on Sept. 19, 2026, conference sources familiar with the discussions confirmed to The Athletic. The game is not finalized, and there is no signed agreement as of Thursday, but it's trending in that direction, according to those sources.

The Post and Courier first reported plans for the game, which would be part of a multiyear series called the Union Jack Classic. Future matchups in the series are still undetermined, but it could potentially include other Big 12 teams.

Wembley Stadium and the English Football Association were approached for comment, but neither responded immediately.

Several details for the 2026 game still need to be finalized, including accommodating schedules for both Arizona State and Kansas. The matchup would be considered a home game for Kansas, based on the Big 12's existing scheduling matrix.

The Jayhawks are currently scheduled to have seven home games in 2026, including a non-conference meeting with Middle Tennessee on Sept. 19, the same day as the proposed London game. Kansas would need to secure a waiver to move an opponent to Week 0, according to conference sources, to make the London game work. Wembley Stadium is unavailable before Sept. 19.

The fact that Kansas has seven home games, along with a reduced stadium capacity due to planned construction on the new east side of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, is what makes substituting an international trip a viable option in 2026.

Arizona State would likely need to make schedule changes as well. The Sun Devils are slated to host Hawaii on Sept. 19, 2026, according to Hawaii's athletics website; the "Hawaii exemption" would allow ASU the flexibility to schedule a Week 0 game without a waiver. The Sun Devils are also expected to play at Texas A&M in 2026, and SunDevilSource.com reported last month that the school would host Morgan State in a non-conference game as well.

The Big 12 has shown interest in international competitions under commissioner Brett Yormark. Iowa State and Kansas State squared off in Ireland for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic to open the 2025 season last month, and TCU will host North Carolina in the same event in 2026.

Last year, the conference delayed plans for its Big 12 Mexico initiative, which intended to host basketball, women's soccer and baseball games in Mexico. The conference has also explored the possibility of establishing a football bowl game in Monterrey.

"I've been on the record to say that I want this conference to be a global conference. I think we can win globally big time," Yormark said at Big 12 media days this summer. "Playing in Ireland obviously is that first step. ... There's a good chance we'll be in Mexico City next spring for baseball. Baylor's kicking off the women's basketball season in Paris this year, and we're having conversations with other countries throughout the world that are very interested in bringing the Big 12 to their marketplace.

"I think it's critically important for our conference."

Big 12 in talks to stage Arizona State-Kansas football game at Wembley Stadium in 2026