Wembley Crowd Brings Energy to Kansas-Arizona State Game
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LONDON — Kansas and Arizona State made history Saturday as they played the first college football game between two FBS programs in the United Kingdom, with Wembley Stadium providing the backdrop for the historic matchup.
While the crowd did not reach the number organizers originally hoped for, the atmosphere inside Wembley remained energetic throughout the game.
The announced attendance for the Union Jack Classic was 46,523 fans, according to Kansas Athletics. That number fell short of the approximately 60,000 fans organizers had hoped would attend the inaugural event.
Wembley Stadium has a capacity of more than 80,000 for sporting events, making the empty sections, particularly in the upper tier, noticeable throughout the afternoon. Organizers had previously projected a crowd of around 60,000, including thousands of fans traveling from the United States to London to support the Jayhawks and Sun Devils.
Despite the open seats, the fans who attended created an atmosphere that stood out for a game being played thousands of miles from both schools.
Both Kansas and Arizona State brought their marching bands to London, helping provide a traditional college football atmosphere inside one of the world's most recognizable stadiums. The bands continued playing throughout the afternoon, giving fans a taste of the traditions that make college football different from other forms of football.
The Guardian described the atmosphere as noisy and energetic, noting that the marching bands helped keep the crowd involved even during slower portions of the game.
The game also attracted fans from both sides of the Atlantic. Organizers had worked to make the event appealing not only to Kansas and Arizona State supporters traveling from the United States but also to local fans who were experiencing college football in person for the first time.
Before the game, organizers emphasized the importance of introducing British fans to the full college football experience, including marching bands, cheerleaders, mascots and pregame events.
Although the attendance was below the initial target, the event still represented an important step for the Big 12's efforts to expand college football internationally.
The conference has already expressed interest in returning to Wembley for another game. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark called the experience positive and said the conference hopes to continue building its presence in Europe.
For Kansas and Arizona State, the 46,523 fans in attendance witnessed a historic afternoon. The Sun Devils ultimately defeated the Jayhawks 24-17, but the significance of playing college football at Wembley extended beyond the final score.
The Union Jack Classic gave college football a chance to introduce its traditions and atmosphere to a new audience, while potentially opening the door for more games in London and other international locations.
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Jimmy Adeniran is a contributor to JayhawksROUNDTABLE. He can be reached at mayor@iw2j.com
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