Local businesses prepare for KU Football’s London Game

KU Football’s match up against Arizona State at Wembley Stadium this Saturday has businesses like Johnny’s Tavern and the Rock & Hawk preparing for earlier, and possibly larger crowds.

“Typically, with our away games, we still get a great crowd,” Johnny’s West employee Noah Betts said. “But this year we expect even a bigger crowd.”

With an earlier 11 a.m. start, Betts said they plan to showcase their new brunch menu for fans and add a new section of tables to accommodate a larger crowd.

 Even though the match up isn’t at home, businesses like Johnny’s will aim to provide the same game day experience for fans as they would at a normal home game.

“It’s a big game; people are excited,” Betts said. “ Should be a bigger turnout than usual.”

Erik Hess, the Director of Food & Beverage at the Rock & Hawk located in the Oread hotel, said the restaurant plans to maintain some of their game day operations with a few alterations for the early kickoff.

Hess said the Rock & Hawk will open 3 hours before the game at 8 a.m. instead of their usual 11 a.m. opening time. 

He also added that they plan to offer drink specials on their patio located next to the front entrance of the Oread. Hess said they don’t necessarily expect a big turnout compared to the typical crowd they normally see since the game takes place outside of Lawrence.

They still plan to conduct their normal routine for this game and future match ups, with hopes that more home games can draw in big crowds like last Friday’s match up against Mizzouri.

“I don’t anticipate any of the other home games being as busy as last Friday’s game. But hopefully I’m wrong,”he said.

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