As the Arizona State Sun Devils and Kansas Jayhawks wind down their spring schedule, preparations for an important milestone in the 2026 college football season continue apace across the Atlantic, with Kansas head coach Lance Leipold spending time in London ahead of the Union Jack Classic clash between the two Big 12 programs at Wembley Stadium.
Lance Leipold Set to Lead Kansas to London in Historic Overseas Clash
Leipold sits in a suite at Wembley Stadium, a blue Kansas track jacket contrasting with the iconic red seats of the English national stadium behind him. Less than six months from now, his Jayhawks will face Arizona State on this very turf in the Union Jack Classic.
“Just getting in here about an hour ago and getting up to the suite level and looking out on the field, it is an awe-striking moment,” Leipold tells me as we sit down to discuss the upcoming international slate.
“I’m looking forward to getting down onto field level here later this morning and taking a look all around and thinking about all the history and everything that’s been played here, concerts, the whole gamut of what this stadium truly is worldwide.”
For Leipold, the September matchup is the culmination of a long-held ambition to bring his program to the global stage.
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“I kind of forgot, you’re one of the few that know that I was pretty passionate about something like this happening,” Leipold reflects on a conversation we had two years ago about bringing Jayhawk football to London.
“I believe strongly that as we are just getting on the forefront of American college football becoming more international… this is a slight reflection of yes, we’ve made the steps.”
He envisions this matchup as a foundational moment for the sport’s global footprint, much like the early days of the NFL’s international series.
“This is where the NFL was 20 years ago or so. I think when we look back, and I’ll probably be long gone by then as far as my coaching days go, but when we look at this, I think we’ll look at next year’s game between Kansas and Arizona State as maybe something that was a turning point.”
“I’m just excited that we’re on the cutting edge of this,” Leipold explains. When our team touches down in September, it’ll be kind of like a dream come true that we’ve made this truly happen.”
Leipold Explains the Benefits of College Football’s Overseas Expansion
Despite Leipold’s longstanding enthusiasm, the decision to move a college football game overseas isn’t without its detractors. American fans often lament the loss of a home game, the economic impact on the local community, and the break from traditional campus pageantry.
Leipold is acutely aware of this dynamic.
“It is a balancing act, and I do see sometimes the frustration and understanding of people that support you on a regular basis and taking away a home game and moving it away, and what it can do to businesses,” Leipold says.
“However, ours lines up in a very good point where we’re doing the stadium renovation project, we’re not going to be at capacity. A lot of things there kind of happened.”
Despite this scheduling synergy, the Kansas head coach remains deeply focused on the immediate impact on his student-athletes. For many young men in the program, a trip to London represents an unprecedented life opportunity that transcends the football field.
“We are still in the educational business here of providing experiences for young men in college athletics,” Leipold explains. “Much like you’d want study abroad type experiences… we are going to give our young men a study abroad in a few days, in what it’s about. It’s still about experiences that our guys will talk about this trip for the rest of their lives.”
For UK fans who might still be on the fence about attending the Union Jack Classic, the pitch is simple. This isn’t just an exhibition; it’s a glimpse at the stars of tomorrow playing high-stakes football.
As we speak, the NFL Draft is in full swing, serving as a timely reminder of the caliber of talent on display in the college ranks. Leipold planned to watch the late rounds from his London hotel room, waiting to see his former players’ dreams realized.
“If someone is at all inquisitive about college American football… this is where these people start,” Leipold tells me.
“Many of these guys are staying longer in college for the opportunity to get themselves to the NFL. It’s high-quality American football, it’s exciting. Between what happens in our College Football Playoff system, our bowl system, it is something that is truly special.”
With Jalon Daniels Gone, It’s a New Era in Kansas
When the Jayhawks do touch down in London this September, they will be stepping into a new era. For the first time in years, they will be without talismanic quarterback Jalon Daniels.
Daniels’ journey with the Jayhawks was the stuff of fairy tales. He was the driving force behind the program’s resurgence, a legitimate college football QB who etched his name into the annals of Kansas history through sheer gutsy determination and loyalty.
“He’s everything you still hope for in college athletics as far as a guy that’s a leader, has charisma, he’s an outstanding football player and person,” Leipold reflects warmly.
“He’s the type of guy that had many opportunities that he could have chased money and done other things and put himself out there, and he didn’t because he was loyal to the University of Kansas for many reasons. One is that he knew he had a really good experience, and he trusted people, and he was happy where he’s at. He stayed loyal to his university.”
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Replacing that level of production and character is no small task. The battle to be the new face of the Kansas offense centers around two guys who have waited in the wings: Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall.
“We’re very confident in both those young men that can lead us to play winning football, compete for conference championships with them. They’re both dynamic players, great leaders, great people, much like Jalon, and they’ve been in the room with Jalon now for a couple years.”
Meanwhile, the focus remains on the monumental task ahead and the historic implications of their upcoming showdown in the UK. For Leipold and the Jayhawks, the trip to Wembley is more than just a game; it’s a statement of intent for a program that continues to break new ground.
“For the fans that hopefully will come and take on this moment of what this means,” Leipold concludes, his eyes looking back out over the Wembley pitch. “Being kind of cutting edge in American college football over here is something that they’ll see and embrace, and truly be a part of and make a difference in the movement of this game.”
Kansas will host the Arizona State Sun Devils in the 2026 Union Jack Classic. Tickets can be purchased now on the Union Jack Classic website.
