The Union Jack Classic football game, set for Sept. 19 at London's Wembley Stadium, will pay the University of Kansas $2.7 million, as well as cover numerous costs for KU’s travel party, including charter flights to and from London, hotel accommodations, transportation to and from Union Jack Classic events, meals, security, equipment storage, laundry and more.
As reported by the Lawrence Journal-World, which obtained contract details through a Kansas Open Records Act request, the game between the Jayhawks and Arizona State will represent the first power-conference football game ever played in the United Kingdom.
Per the reporting of Henry Greenstein, who serves as sports editor at both the Journal-World and KUsports.com, Kansas athletics director Travis Goff has emphasized that 2026 is the ideal year for KU to give up a home game to play in London, because of the reduced capacity at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium for 2026 due to ongoing construction on the stadium’s east side.
"The $2.7 million figure is expected to be particularly striking in comparison to what KU would have garnered from a reduced-capacity home game in Lawrence," Greenstein wrote.
The Jayhawks will still host six games in Lawrence this year, Greenstein noted.
"Beyond paying for KU’s expenses in close proximity to the game, the Union Jack Classic is also contracted to facilitate and pay for KU visits prior to the event, including an 'operational and promotional visit of Institution’s head football coach, Director of Athletics, Chancellor … and Institution selected student athletes for mutually agreed promotional activities,' ” Greenstein wrote. "KU coach Lance Leipold has previously stated in an interview with British media that he will visit London in late April, around April 23. That will likely be shortly following the conclusion of KU’s spring practice."
Additional contract details outlined by Greenstein:
- KU must distribute an electronic event brochure accompanied by a letter from Leipold to season-ticket holders and to use its websites, social media accounts and other sporting events to advertise the Union Jack Classic (which it has already been doing).
- KU must also “encourage” Leipold to tout the event on his own social media; on X, he recently reposted a social media post promoting the Union Jack Classic that defensive tackle Blake Herold made March 10.
- If either party, KU or the promoter, chooses to back out of the event (for reasons other than extraordinary circumstances — the contract contains a “force majeure” clause), it must pay the other $2.25 million.
Some details of the game have yet to be disclosed and are not included in the contract, Greenstein reported. The Big 12 Conference will soon determine the network that will air the game and the time at which it will take place.
"The television window for this game may be particularly significant because unlike past international games such as last year’s Ireland game, it is not taking place during the so-called 'week zero' prior to when the season starts for most teams, when it would be the center of attention," Greenstein wrote. "Instead, it is part of Week 3 of the season."
