2026/27 SportPesa Premier League Kick-Off: Dates, Matchday 1 Fixtures and Venues

The 2026/27 SportPesa Premier League is finally under way. After weeks of court cases over promotion and relegation, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed the Matchday 1 fixtures on 5 October 2026, with the season opening on Friday, 9 October and the first round running through Sunday, 11 October.

The league was originally due to start in late August, but a dispute over which rulebook should apply forced FKF to postpone the opening rounds more than once. Here are the confirmed opening fixtures and how the delay was finally resolved.

Matchday 1 fixtures

Friday, 9 October

Nairobi United vs KCB, 4pm, Police Sacco Stadium.

Saturday, 10 October

Mathare United vs APS Bomet, 2pm, Police Sacco Stadium.

Shabana vs Posta Rangers, 3pm, Wang'uru Stadium, Kirinyaga.

Gor Mahia vs Murang'a SEAL, 4:15pm, venue to be confirmed.

Sunday, 11 October

Tusker vs Ulinzi Stars, 2pm, Ulinzi Sports Complex.

3K FC vs Mara Sugar, 3pm, Embu Stadium.

Migori Youth vs Kenya Police, 3pm, Awendo Green Stadium.

Kakamega Homeboyz vs Mombasa United, 3pm, venue to be confirmed.

AFC Leopards vs Bandari, 4:15pm, venue to be confirmed.

Kick-off times and venues can change at short notice, so check official FKF and club channels before travelling to a match.

Why the season started late

The delay came from a dispute over promotion and relegation. Under rules FKF introduced in 2025, the bottom three Premier League clubs went down automatically. Kariobangi Sharks, who finished 16th, argued that the older 2019 rules should apply instead, which would have given them a playoff against the third-placed National Super League side, Mombasa United.

Court orders then blocked the season from starting until the matter was settled. The High Court in Murang'a ruled that the season should be run under the 2019 regulations and that it should not begin before the playoff was played. FKF later brokered an agreement for a two-legged playoff on 1 and 6 October.

Mombasa United won the first leg 2-1. The second leg was abandoned after a pitch invasion, and on 9 October the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee awarded Mombasa United a 2-0 win, confirming their promotion and Sharks' relegation.

Storylines to watch

Gor Mahia start the defence of their 2025/26 title at home to Murang'a SEAL, while last season's runners-up AFC Leopards face Bandari. Newly promoted 3K FC make their top-flight debut against Mara Sugar in Embu, and Migori Youth bring Premier League football back to Migori County when they host former champions Kenya Police.

Mombasa United, promoted after the long legal battle, begin their first ever top-flight season away to Kakamega Homeboyz. With the late start, clubs face a congested calendar, which could test squad depth in the months ahead.

Frequently asked questions

When did the 2026/27 Kenyan Premier League start?

The season kicked off on Friday, 9 October 2026, with Nairobi United against KCB at Police Sacco Stadium.

How many teams are in the 2026/27 Kenyan Premier League?

There are 18 teams, including newly promoted Mombasa United, 3K FC and Migori Youth.

Who are the defending champions?

Gor Mahia are the defending champions after winning the 2025/26 title.