The college football world is no stranger to advancing its global footprint. With multiple season-opening slates happening in Ireland as an every-season occurrence now, the next natural step is for college football to advance to other countries and continents.
Has There Ever Been a College Football Game in Brazil?
With the NFL playing their first game in Brazil during the 2024 season, the question was naturally to come up as to whether or not there has been a college football game in Brazil. Not only has there not been a game in Brazil, the sport of college football hasn’t played a game in South America in its history.
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, however, has publicly stated his intentions to take the game to Mexico, at the very least, in the coming seasons.
MORE: Brett Yormark Says Think About Where Big 12 Is Headed
“We want to glamorize and elevate and amplify our brand, both domestically and internationally for all the right reasons,” Yormark said at Big 12 Media Days. “Not only for student-athletes but just general enrollment.”
What that means is taking the Big 12’s most famous brands internationally. It also includes names like the Kansas Jayhawks basketball program or any number of nationally-known Big 12 football programs.
As the Big 12 eyes Mexico, it also begs the question of which international sites college football has played during its 100+ year history.
College Football All-Time International Sites
Here’s a detailed history of international college football games, which have occurred in various countries over the years:
College Football Games In Ireland
Ireland has been a frequent destination for college football games, mainly due to its cultural ties with the United States and a strong interest in promoting American football. The games in Ireland are generally marketed as “The Emerald Isle Classic” or, recently, the “Aer Lingus Football Classic” or similar titles.
- Emerald Isle Classic (1988): The first major international college football game, played between Boston College and Army in Dublin, Ireland
- Notre Dame vs. Navy (1996): Another prominent game in Dublin, this rivalry continued the international tradition
- Notre Dame vs. Navy (2012): The two teams met again in Dublin, at Aviva Stadium
- Georgia Tech vs. Boston College (2016): Held in Dublin as part of the “Aer Lingus College Football Classic”
- Notre Dame vs. Navy (2023): Once more, these historic rivals met in Ireland
- Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (2024): The Yellow Jackets upset a top-10 FSU team
College Football Games in Japan
Japan has hosted a few college football games, showing a broader interest in American football in East Asia.
Called simply the Mirage Bowl (1977-1993), this game was presented annually in Tokyo, and was the longest-running series of international college football games. Teams like Notre Dame, UCLA, and Penn State played in this game.
- 1977: Grambling State vs. Temple
Result: Grambling State 35, Temple 32 - 1978: Temple vs. Boston College
Result: Temple 28, Boston College 24 - 1979: Notre Dame vs. Miami (FL)
Result: Notre Dame 40, Miami 15 - 1980: UCLA vs. Oregon State
Result: UCLA 34, Oregon State 3 - 1981: California vs. Washington State
Result: California 33, Washington State 10 - 1982: Air Force vs. San Diego State
Result: Air Force 21, San Diego State 16 - 1983: SMU vs. Houston
Result: SMU 34, Houston 12 - 1984: Army vs. Montana
Result: Army 45, Montana 31 - 1985: UCLA vs. Oregon
Result: UCLA 41, Oregon 10 - 1986: Arizona vs. Washington State
Result: Arizona 31, Washington State 21 - 1987: USC vs. Oregon
Result: USC 34, Oregon 9 - 1988: Wyoming vs. Iowa
Result: Wyoming 28, Iowa 12 - 1989: Syracuse vs. Louisville
Result: Syracuse 24, Louisville 13 - 1990: Houston vs. Arizona State
Result: Houston 62, Arizona State 45 - 1991: Michigan State vs. Wisconsin
Result: Michigan State 23, Wisconsin 6 - 1992: Wake Forest vs. NC State
Result: NC State 42, Wake Forest 14 - 1993: Nebraska vs. Kansas State
Result: Nebraska 45, Kansas State 28
After 1993, the Mirage Bowl was discontinued and was succeeded by the Coca-Cola Bowl, which also hosted college football games in Japan.
- 1994: Nebraska vs. Kansas State
Result: Nebraska 17, Kansas State 6 - 1996: Syracuse vs. Georgia Tech
Result: Syracuse 51, Georgia Tech 14
The Coca-Cola Bowl continued the efforts to promote American football in Japan, but after these two games, the series was discontinued.
College Football Games in Australia
Australia hosted its first college football game in 1985 and more recently as part of an initiative to promote American sports in the region.
- BYU vs. Colorado State (1985): The first college football game in Australia, played in Melbourne
- California vs. Hawaii (2016): This game was played in Sydney, marking a major effort to expand college football’s international reach in Australia
- Stanford vs. Rice (2017): Another game in Sydney, continuing the trend
College Football Games in Canada
While not as frequent as other international locations, Canada has hosted a handful of college football games.
International Bowl (2007-2010): Played in Toronto, this was an official NCAA bowl game featuring teams from the U.S. competing in Canada. Teams such as Western Michigan, Rutgers, Buffalo, and Connecticut played in this bowl.
- 2007 International Bowl
Result: Cincinnati 27, Western Michigan 24 - 2008 International Bowl
Result: Rutgers 52, Ball State 30 - 2009 International Bowl
Result: UConn 38, Buffalo 20 - 2010 International Bowl
Result: USF 27, Northern Illinois 3
Laval University vs. Concordia University: Though not NCAA, these Canadian college football games drew cross-border interest as part of the CFL’s attempt to grow the sport.
College Football Games in Mexico
Mexico has a well-established American football fanbase, leading to a few exhibition games. Throughout the 20th century, some college teams traveled to Mexico for these exhibition games, especially in the post-war years, promoting American football in the region.
Hence, the Big 12’s expansion to Mexico would be ground-breaking.
- Cincinnati vs. UNAM (2018)
Location: Mexico City
This game showcased the sport’s growing popularity in Mexico. - Clemson vs. UNAM Pumas (1954)
Location: Mexico City
Clemson played an exhibition game against the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Pumas. This was one of the earliest games involving a US college football team in Mexico. - Arkansas vs. UNAM Pumas (1957)
Location: Mexico City
Another exhibition game featuring a US team, Arkansas, against the Pumas from UNAM. - SMU vs. UNAM Pumas (1970)
Location: Mexico City
SMU played against UNAM, continuing the tradition of exhibition games between US college teams and Mexican university teams. - Texas A&M vs. UNAM Pumas (1975)
Location: Mexico City
Texas A&M took on UNAM’s team in an exhibition matchup.
College Football Games in Germany
Germany has a large American military presence and a growing interest in American football. Most of these games were organized to entertain American military personnel stationed in Germany or to promote American football internationally.
- Army vs. Air Force (1983)
Location: Berlin, Germany
This was an exhibition game played between the US Military Academy (Army) and the US Air Force Academy, specifically for US troops stationed in Berlin. - Notre Dame vs. Army (1986)
Location: Berlin, Germany
Another exhibition game held in West Berlin, where Notre Dame played Army. The game was staged to entertain US military personnel stationed there during the Cold War era. - Stanford vs. West Virginia (1986)
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
This exhibition game was played as part of a series of games aimed at promoting American football in Europe and entertaining American service members. - Air Force vs. Boston College (1988)
Location: West Berlin, Germany
Another exhibition matchup, once again, took place in West Berlin before the reunification of Germany. It was organized for American troops and fans of the sport. - Michigan State vs. Army (1984)
Location: West Berlin, Germany
An exhibition game featuring Michigan State and Army was held to spread the popularity of American football to Germany while engaging US military personnel.
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It’s clear to see the international level of play is no stranger to the college football landscape. Maybe Brazil’s next.
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