Big 12 Conference Expansion: Arizona, Arizona State Join UCF & BYU Ahead of 2024-25 Season

FOX Sports is bringing its “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show to the United Kingdom for the inaugural Union Jack Classic, according to an announcement made on the network’s “FIFA World Cup Live” broadcast. The event will feature members of the Big 12 Conference, including Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, and UCF.

What is the Union Jack Classic?

The Union Jack Classic is a new international college football event that will serve as the site for the first UK-based broadcast of “Big Noon Kickoff.” The announcement was made in Los Angeles on June 17, 2026, during a “FIFA World Cup Live” program. The move marks a significant geographic expansion for the pregame show, which typically operates from various U.S. campus locations.

Which Big 12 teams are involved?

The event’s connection to the Big 12 Conference is central to the announcement. FOX Sports identified several conference members as part of the Union Jack Classic, including:

• Arizona
• Arizona State
• Baylor
• BYU
• UCF

The inclusion of Arizona and Arizona State reflects the conference’s recent expansion. Both schools officially joined the Big 12 in 2024, shifting the conference’s footprint toward the Southwest before this international venture.

How does this fit into college football’s international growth?

The Union Jack Classic follows a precedent set by other international collegiate games, most notably the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. While the Ireland games have established a recurring presence for the sport in Europe, the Union Jack Classic introduces a specific tie-in with FOX Sports’ primary pregame branding.

By pairing “Big Noon Kickoff” with an inaugural event in the UK, FOX Sports is attempting to scale its domestic production model for a global audience. This strategy aligns with the network’s broader sports portfolio, which includes the FIFA World Cup coverage where the announcement originated.

What happens next for Big Noon Kickoff?

FOX Sports hasn’t released the specific game date or stadium for the Union Jack Classic. However, the announcement on June 17, 2026, confirms the network’s intent to move its production crew and talent “across the pond” for the event. The network will likely coordinate the broadcast with the Big 12’s scheduling to ensure the “Big Noon” time slot remains viable for U.S. viewers despite the time difference.