Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-18 · by Ken Maguire The Associated Press
Kansas and Arizona State football teams spent a day sightseeing in London, visiting landmarks like Big Ben and the Thames River, while also enjoying Shake Shack burgers as part of their preparations for the Union Jack Classic game at Wembley Stadium. Despite Coach Kenny Dillingham’s initial reluctance to prioritize activities outside of football, players expressed excitement about representing American college football to a new audience and experiencing British culture firsthand. The article highlights cultural exchanges and references to popular culture like "Ted Lasso," particularly noting Kansas's marching band performance in a location from the show.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Brian Dubiski, chairman of Union Jack Classic, organized the first U.S. college football game in nearly 40 years at Wembley Stadium on September 19, featuring teams from Kansas and Arizona State. Despite an initial goal to fill all 86,270 seats, only about 46,523 fans attended the event. Dubiski, whose involvement is personal due to a tragic family incident—a concert he planned in 1999 was followed by a fatal shooting at Columbine High School—seeks to build college football's brand globally through such matches.
The game itself drew mixed reactions; while the pre-game atmosphere was lively with tailgating and band performances, the match proved less exciting. Marching bands from both universities significantly enhanced the event’s spirit by playing popular songs, contributing to a unique experience for attendees. Dubbed Union Jack Classic, the competition aims to introduce American college football culture to British audiences.
Organizers hope this inaugural game will inspire future events and fan enthusiasm in Europe, much like NFL games held previously at Wembley. Despite lower-than-expected attendance, the event showcased the energy and excitement of U.S. college football, with students from both teams expressing their ambitions for professional careers in the NFL.
Written for “Wembley College Football Game” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 7 other(s) covering the same event.
LONDON (AP) — The Jayhawks and Sun Devils skipped tea and feasted on Shake Shack burgers along the Thames River.
asserted
Jayhawks → skip → River
Culture clashes abound as Kansas and Arizona State bring American college football to Wembley Stadium — the home of English football — in the inaugural Union Jack Classic on Saturday.
And the “Ted Lasso” references are unavoidable with both teams staying at hotels located near Richmond.
asserted
teams → abound → Richmond
The Big 12 Conference matchup is an important one on the field — both teams want to avoid back-to-back losses
asserted
teams → want → back
the trip also offers a chance for players to experience a European capital and be ambassadors for their sport.
“I know I haven’t done anything like this before,” ASU defensive lineman C.J. Fite said this week.
asserted
Fite → offer → this
“To be able leave a country, play football in front of new fans ... and kind of figure out this new culture and be able to experience it, it’s a No. 1 thing for sure.”
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it → leave → it
The game organizers had arranged for boat trips on the Thames.
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organizers → arrange → Thames
Plus, they set up tables full of Shake Shack UK food for the players.
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they → set → players
On the boat tours, players snapped photos of Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster.
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players → snap → Westminster
A popular spot was Tower Bridge, where players strolled on the glass walkway that looks down on the bridge deck and the Thames.
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that → stroll → deck
“This is a lifetime opportunity for our players, for our program and, again, I can’t tell you how exited we are to be here and be part of this,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said this week.
asserted
Leipold → tell → this
His counterpart, Kenny Dillingham, was asked if he had anything fun planned outside of football.
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he → ask → football
“Absolutely not,” he responded.
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he → respond → ?
“We’re playing a football game.”
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We → play → game
Dillingham added there is “zero positive” from a football perspective in playing a Week 3 game internationally but, in the bigger picture, noted the once-in-a-lifetime experience for players.
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Dillingham → add → players
Indeed, ASU offensive lineman Jalen Klemm said it will be exciting “to play in front of a different country and a different culture that doesn’t experience football and college football as often as obviously we do in America.
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we → say → America
So I think it’s a great opportunity for us to just go out there and play our game and kind of show what Sun Devils football is about.”
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football → think → what
The Jayhawks, better known for their basketball, weren’t about to miss a layup.
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Jayhawks → know → layup
Their marching band and cheerleaders did a short performance at the Richmond plaza that’s instantly recognizable to fans of the Apple TV series “Ted Lasso.”
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that → do → series
It’s near where the fictional character — played by Kansas native Jason Sudeikis — lives.
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character → ’ → Sudeikis
A real Kansas coach — associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki, who handled the Jayhawks’ offense — had some Lasso-esque moments during his news conference Wednesday, including when he asked a local reporter how she spelled her name — because it’s also his dog’s name.
He also talked about being in the “foxhole” with quarterback Isaiah Marshall.
asserted
He → handle → Marshall
Kotelnicki called a timeout during the session and said “gosh dang it” because he wanted more questions from London journalists.
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he → call → journalists
Kotelnicki asked for advice on where to get the best fish and chips but was told to skip that and go for a pie and mash instead.
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Kotelnicki → ask → pie
Organizers have a three-year contract with Wembley for an annual game with an option for a fourth year.
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Organizers → have → year
Brian Dubiski, CEO of the Union Jack Classic, recently told The Associated Press that they’re in talks about airline and hospitality partnerships but might not have a title sponsor until next year.
uncertain
they → tell → year
Wembley holds more than 86,000, but Dubiski is hoping for 60,000.
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Dubiski → hold → 60,000
An estimated 15,000 fans are coming from the U.S.
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fans → come → ?
Organizers added discounts on ticket four-packs and donated some to a U.K. organization that provide tickets to hospital workers.
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that → add → workers
“Would we like 80,000 people in the seats?
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we → like → seats
But anything over 40-to-50,000 is a viable business model,” Dubiski said.
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Dubiski → say → to-50,000
Back in 1988 — almost two years before Dillingham was born — the University of Richmond beat Boston University 20-17 at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in south London.
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University → bear → London
The teams played in Division 1-AA, which is now called the Football Championship Subdivision.
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which → play → Division
That one was billed as the Imperial Bowl.
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one → bill → Bowl
Attendance estimates varied, but 6,000 was the highest of them.
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6,000 → vary → them
A game program available on eBay shows the adult ticket price was 6 pounds.
asserted
price → show → eBay
The Aporia
