When either the University of Kansas Jayhawks or Arizona State Sun Devils make history at Wembley Stadium on September 19th, they will do more than win the first college football game ever played at the venue. They will become the inaugural custodians of a trophy designed specifically to establish a new international tradition.

Organisers of the Union Jack Classic this week revealed the bespoke trophy that will be presented following the Big 12 Conference showdown, a handcrafted piece inspired by London’s iconic Tower Bridge and intended to become the permanent symbol of an event they hope will establish a lasting place on the global college football calendar.

Created by jeweller Franco Valobra of Valobra Master Jewellers, the trophy has been in development for nine months and reflects the organisers’ desire to produce something unique rather than simply importing an existing American design. Measuring approximately 20 inches wide, 18 inches tall and weighing more than 40 pounds, the award has been built to celebrate both the pageantry of college football and the significance of bringing one of the sport’s biggest spectacles to one of the world’s most recognisable sporting venues.

Unlike one-off commemorative awards, the trophy is intended to grow in stature over time. Each winning programme will be engraved onto the base, creating an ongoing record of future Union Jack Classic champions as organisers look to establish Wembley as a recurring destination for elite college football.

The unveiling is another step in what has become an increasingly ambitious build-up to the inaugural event. The Union Jack Classic secured a multi-year exclusive agreement to stage college football at Wembley Stadium, with Kansas and Arizona State chosen to launch the series in the first-ever NCAA football game played at the famous London venue.

Organisers have consistently positioned the event as more than simply an overseas regular season game. Alongside the match-up itself, fans are promised the full American gameday experience, including marching bands, cheerleaders, tailgate festivities and extensive fan entertainment aimed at introducing British audiences to the traditions that make Saturdays such a central part of college football culture.

“This trophy captures that vision,” Union Jack Classic co-founder and CEO Brian Dubiski said. “From day one, our goal has been to create something that feels truly special for the teams, the fans and the future of college football in the UK. It’s inspired by one of London’s most iconic landmarks and represents the connection between two great sporting cultures. We can’t wait to see it lifted at Wembley as we celebrate what we know is the start of a new tradition.”

The game itself also carries growing significance for the Big 12 Conference. Commissioner Brett Yormark has made international expansion a key part of the conference’s strategy, while both universities have embraced the opportunity to showcase their programmes to a new audience. Kansas head coach Lance Leipold recently acknowledged the considerable logistical planning required for the trip, from passports for first-time international travellers to nutrition, accommodation and travel arrangements, underlining how unprecedented the occasion is for many involved.

The event has also attracted significant broadcast interest. FOX will take its popular Big Noon Kickoff pregame show to London for the first time, adding another layer of visibility to the fixture.