London follows Dublin as college football host city. Are more European locations in game plan?

College football has ventured abroad for over a century, with most early games occurring in nearby countries like Canada or Cuba. The first overseas post-season game took place in 1976, but in recent years, more matches have been held early in the season, rather than following the regular season like a relaxing vacation. Brian Dubiski, the CEO of the Union Jack Classic, understands the challenges of bringing college football to foreign locations.

In 1988, he was a Texas Tech defensive back on a flight to Tokyo, where Notre Dame would face Barry Sanders and Oklahoma State. After winning the Heisman Trophy, Sanders scored four touchdowns and over 300 yards, leading the Cowboys to a 45-42 victory. Now, Dubiski is looking to bring major college football to London for the first time, featuring a Big 12 Conference matchup between Arizona State and Kansas.

He believes that the appetite for college football is there, just like the NFL's presence in the region for the past few decades. The challenge lies in educating local fans about the unique aspects of college football, such as school spirit and marching bands, and convincing them to purchase tickets. Dublin has proven to be a successful model, turning the Aer Lingus College Football Classic into an annual event with a title sponsor and a travel company as co-organizer.

The latest edition of the event took place on Saturday when TCU faced off against North Carolina at Aviva Stadium. Dubiski is currently in discussions about potential airline and hospitality partnerships, but a title sponsor may not be secured until the following year.