Union Jack Classic, BAFA and Big 12 Join Forces to Supercharge UK American Football Development

By Simon Carroll

The Union Jack Classic, the UK’s first-ever NCAA Division 1 American College Football game, has announced a new initiative in partnership with the British American Football Association (BAFA), delivering a series of virtual coaching and officiating clinics, supported by the Big 12 Conference and its member institutions, the University of Kansas and Arizona State University.

The initiative will see Big 12 officials host monthly Zoom clinics for BAFA’s referee network, supporting the continued development of hundreds of officials across the UK. Alongside this, coaching clinics delivered in partnership with the University of Kansas and Arizona State University will provide grassroots coaches with direct access to elite-level expertise from NCAA Division I programmes.
 
The initiative forms a part of the Union Jack Classic’s wider ambition to grow and strengthen the American football ecosystem in the UK, creating development opportunities for both coaches and officials ahead of the inaugural Union Jack Classic at Wembley Stadium in 2026.
 
The first coaching clinic featured the Offensive Coordinator Andy Kotelnicki from the University of Kansas and attracted significant interest, with more than 160 coaches registered as attending.
 
Through this latest initiative, the Union Jack Classic and its partners are extending the impact of the event beyond the game itself, contributing to the long-term development of the sport at all levels across the UK.
Brian Dubiski, Chairman & CEO of the Union Jack Classic, said: “We are committed to ensuring Union Jack Classic has a lasting impact on the growth of American football in the UK, by investing in the people who drive the game forward.
 
“Working with BAFA, the Big 12 Conference and powerful programmes such as Kansas and Arizona State allows us to give coaches and officials direct access to elite expertise and support, helping strengthen standards across the UK.”
 
“The Big 12 is proud to expand its reach globally by supporting the growth of college football and the Conference through all of the programming surrounding the Union Jack Classic,” said Big 12 Chief Football Officer Scott Draper. “These officiating and coaching clinics are tremendous opportunities to engage fans and build connections heading into Arizona State’s and Kansas’ game in September at Wembley Stadium.”
Rory Macnair, BAFA Head of Marketing & Communications said: “This is a valuable opportunity for our coaching and officiating community to learn from some of the most experienced practitioners in the college game. The strong interest we’ve seen reflects the appetite across British American football to develop and continue raising standards.”
 
On Saturday, 19 September 2026, the University of Kansas Jayhawks will host the Arizona State University Sun Devils at Wembley Stadium in the inaugural Union Jack Classic event. The game, which falls in Week 3 of the 2026 college football season, will see two NCAA Division I programmes and Big 12 Conference members compete on UK soil, bringing elite-level college football to a growing international audience.
 
Tickets for The Union Jack Classic are available via Ticketmaster, with general admission, premium seating and hospitality options available.
 
For more information, visit UnionJackClassic.com
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SIMON CARROLL

Lead Writer, Head of Content

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST AND COVERS THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FOR SB NATION.

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