Kansas head coach Lance Leipold has sought to ease concerns surrounding the Jayhawks’ upcoming international matchup, expressing confidence that the program has developed a detailed plan to handle the challenges of playing overseas before returning to Big 12 competition.
Speaking during Big 12 Football Media Days in Frisco, Texas, Leipold addressed questions about Kansas’ highly anticipated appearance in the Union Jack Classic, where the Jayhawks will face defending Big 12 champion Arizona State at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium later this season.
The overseas contest has generated considerable debate among Kansas fans. While many supporters welcome the international exposure and recruiting opportunities that come with playing on one of football’s most recognizable stages, others remain concerned about sacrificing a conference home game and the potential impact of international travel on the team’s performance during the season.
Leipold, however, believes Kansas is in a much stronger position than other teams that have recently played international games.
The veteran coach pointed to last season’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Ireland, where Big 12 rivals Kansas State and Iowa State opened their seasons overseas before immediately returning home to prepare for another game the following weekend.
According to Leipold, Kansas benefits from a significantly different schedule.
He noted that the Jayhawks’ trip to London comes in Week 3, and unlike Kansas State and Iowa State last season, Kansas will not be forced to play immediately after returning to the United States. Instead, the Jayhawks have a bye week following the Arizona State matchup, providing players additional time to recover from the long international trip and adjust to the time change before resuming conference play.
Leipold said the coaching staff has developed a comprehensive travel and recovery plan designed to help players transition back smoothly before their next game on October 3.
He expressed confidence that the additional preparation time would allow the team to manage fatigue while maintaining focus for the remainder of the season.
Although the bye week provides valuable recovery time, it also creates another challenge.
Kansas will close the regular season with a demanding nine-game stretch without another break, one of the longest uninterrupted runs in the Big 12 schedule.
Following the international game against Arizona State, the Jayhawks will host Middle Tennessee before beginning a difficult conference slate that includes road games against Utah, Kansas State, TCU, West Virginia, and Oklahoma State, along with home contests versus Baylor, UCF, and BYU.
The London matchup is expected to be one of the marquee games of the college football season, offering Kansas an opportunity to showcase the program on an international stage while continuing its resurgence under Leipold.
The 2026 campaign will mark Leipold’s sixth season leading the Jayhawks, a program that has undergone a dramatic turnaround after years of struggling near the bottom of the Big 12 standings.
Before traveling overseas, Kansas will open the season at home against LIU on September 4, followed by a highly anticipated Border Showdown against longtime rival Missouri one week later. The Jayhawks will be seeking revenge after falling to the Tigers 42-31 in last season’s meeting.
While questions remain about the logistical challenges of playing abroad, Leipold’s latest comments indicate the coaching staff is confident Kansas can successfully navigate the unique circumstances and remain focused on competing for a successful season in one of college football’s toughest conferences.
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