UCLA Football: International neutral site games we would like to see

The UCLA football team is moving in a new direction with head coach Chip Kelly and with that, they should also move in a new direction for neutral site games… over international lines.

The NCAA is trying to expand their brand with games being played in neutral sites, not just within the borders of the United States, but outside the international boundary.

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The Pac-12 has recently scheduled games for both football and basketball. In recent seasons, both Stanford and Cal have played in Australia. UCLA basketball even played in China, so this could be a good opportunity for the UCLA football team to spread their love internationally.

Yes, I realize things are a bit awkward after UCLA basketball’s China trip, but if these games were to happen, (1) I guarantee Kelly would instill fear in the team to prevent any distraction and (2) I would not doubt Kelly gives them the boot from the team. Anyway, with that being said, here are a few places the football team should go…

BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Think about this Bruin fans, Vancouver in the late summer. Not too hot, not too cold. If UCLA football and the Pac-12 could get a game like this going in the biggest West Coast Canadain city, it could generate a lot of buzz. Not only that, since it is closer than going to the East Coast for the Bruins, it could easily be scheduled as a non-conference game in the first three weeks of the season.

And because of the attention, you would not need to schedule a team from across the country as schools in closer proximity could just as easily generate buzz for a Canadain game. What I am thinking is Boise State, BYU or , a school that is a it farther, Wisconsin. College football GOLD!

Additionally, if UCLA and the Pac-12 were so inclined, this could also serve as the site for a Pac-12 Conference schedule opener with Washington. Imagine what a marquee conference game would be like in a place like Vancouver? Unfortunately, this is less likely than a non-conference game as the Pac-12 schedules are quite constricting, still, it would be interesting game in the Great White North..

Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico

The NFL is doing it, so let us get college football into the mix. Being in Los Angeles, the Bruins have their share of a solid Latino following. If they head south to Mexico City, they could capture the hearts of an entire nation. Not only that, but Azteca Stadium is one of the grandest sporting facilities on the Western Hemisphere with a capacity of 87,000 and a rich history of hosting eye-catching contests.

Now I do not expect UCLA fans (who don’t travel so well) to fill the stadium, which is why the need to be matched up with a team that could. I think it is about time we have the University of California (Los Angeles) and the University of Texas (Austin) battle for Mexico, don’t you? Not only could this accommodate two schools that would have a somewhat decent travel itinerary, given their proximity, but it is also time the Bruins continue to show their dominance over the Longhorns.

On top of that, there are so many things that UCLA, Texas, the Pac-12, Big XII and the wonderful country of Mexico can do to promote it. Are you a fan of Mexican futbol (soccer)? Then let us get Club America, or even better, then entire Mexican National team to host the game. It would be fun for the whole country!

I’m already excited. I think I am going to look into flights after I finish this article.

Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland

The Notre Dame in Ireland game is already a thing, but I think it is about time the NCAA, Pac-12 and Under Armour flex their muscles to get UCLA into the mix. The only problem that I foresee is Notre Dame’s schedule which accommodates both USC and Stanford. Until one of those is off the schedule, I do not see this happening*. BUT…

If UCLA can get out to the land of Ire, other options could be Boston College, Syracuse, or Ohio State. Not only will these contests draw national interest, but once again, UCLA can spread their influence in a country that is in desperate need of Bruins.

The thing about this game is that it would have to be a Week 0 or Week 1 contest, simply due to the travel time. Though it is not Australia, it will still take a lot to get two teams out across the pond, so let us get this game going early in the season.

*If this was to happen, it should probably be agents Notre Dame. UCLA needs revenge and putting a beating on the Fighting Irish could turn some heads of the actual Irish.

Arjinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, Japan

This would have to be another game that is played in Week 0 or Week 1, simply because of the time and distance to travel, but I think Under Armour could help out with this. Why?

Well, in 2017, Go Joe Bruin found out that Under Armour is also the apparel brand of the University of Tokyo and their football team. The awkward part about all of this is that Under Armour, which made a huge deal unveiling all of UCLA’s team uniforms when they took over last year, might have given a bit too much to Tokyo. Observe…

With Under Armour unintentional creating a brotherhood with UCLA and a Japanese college football team, we all might as well embrace this love with the University of Tokyo as they could host the Bruins and their opponent and help bring the Bruin influence to the land of the rising sun.

But who would UCLA play? The obvious answer might be Hawaii, but with the travel being an issue anyway, we could go with almost any Division 1 program. The teams I would like to see are: Nebraska, Ohio State, Georgia… basically any team wearing red. If Tokyo wants to adopt UCLA culture, then they have to know that red belongs to the enemy (on the gridiron, anyway)!

Wembly Stadium, London, England, UK

Now this is a game I would pay top dollar to see. UCLA football in Wembley Stadium, one of the palaces of international football (soccer).

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This building has hosted such epic events such as the World Cup, the F.A.Cup and Queen in concert (look them up if you don’t know who they are, you heathens)!

This jewel of European sports is no stranger to hosting big events and has recently been the site for several NFL games. Though the shield has the edge on games in Wembley, UCLA, the Pac-12 and the NCAA should look at this venue for a future neutral site game. The only question now is, who should UCLA play?

Though it would be great to schedule a game like UCLA-USC, a late season matchup might not work for both teams as this stadium is half way around the world. Still, it would pique a lot of interest.

Instead, as a Week 0 or Week 1 game, the Bruins could match with the likes of Tennessee, Clemson, Florida State or, since we were talking about revenge games, the Miami Hurricanes.

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Though I do not completely trust a UCLA-Miami early season matchup, it could be a chance for the Bruins to right the wrongs of the past and hand out a jolly good beatdown on the U.