Wembley Stadium, one of the most iconic sports venues in the world, hosted its first-ever American college football game on Saturday. The event, called the Union Jack Classic (UJC), brought together 46,523 fans to watch the Kansas Jayhawks face off against the Arizona State Sun Devils. This marked the first time Wembley, which has hosted NFL games since 2007, welcomed college football—a sport with its own unique traditions and fan culture. The game aimed to introduce British audiences to the excitement of college football, which differs from the professional NFL in several key ways, including the structure of the teams and the deep-rooted loyalty of fans. The rivalry between Kansas and Arizona State began long before the game itself. On Friday, fans from both teams gathered for a pre-game party in Waterloo, where they cheered with their team's chants—"Rock Chalk, Jayhawk" for Kansas and "ASU, ASU" for Arizona State. Organizers of the UJC worked hard to recreate the authentic college football experience, starting with tailgate parties. These events, which take place hours before the game, are a hallmark of college football culture, offering fans food, music, and a chance to socialize. One American fan said she enjoys tailgating more than the game itself, highlighting how these gatherings are central to the college football experience. At Wembley, the main tailgate event began at 10 a.m., seven hours before kickoff. Rapper Tech N9ne performed for the crowd, while Arizona State alumni held their own party with nearly 2,000 fans in attendance. The atmosphere was electric, especially on Wembley Way, where Fox Sports set up an outdoor studio for its live pre-game show. Fans and staff alike joined in the spirit of the game, with both teams' bands and cheerleaders performing on the field. Despite the excitement, the game itself was not as thrilling as expected, with fewer band members and cheerleaders than usual and a less vocal crowd compared to typical college games in the U.S. The UJC event brought together fans from around the world, with about 15,000 traveling from the U.S. and others from 35 different countries. Many wore college football jerseys from teams like Oklahoma, Miami, and Texas, as well as British university jerseys. Organizers aimed to boost American football in the UK by partnering with local sports groups and even the Jacksonville Jaguars. Over 1,050 British coaches and referees were trained this year, and some were in attendance. While the game was a success overall, Wembley was only about half full, with some fans moved to the lower tiers to keep the top section empty. The ASU team won 24-17, but the event fell short of the full pageantry seen in U.S. college games. Still, the experience left a lasting impression on many, including Cambridge University player Alex, who said he was eager to attend more college games in the future.