The 2026/27 Kenyan Premier League season kicks off on September 9, with nine matches lined up across the country as clubs begin their campaigns.
The start of the season was delayed by weeks following a court dispute over the league’s promotion and relegation regulations.
The High Court later cleared the way for the competition to proceed under the 2019 FKF rules, allowing clubs to finally begin preparations for the new campaign.
Full Matchweek 1 Fixtures and How to Watch
The opening round will begin with Nairobi United hosting KCB as the newly promoted side marks its return to top-flight football.
Record champions Gor Mahia will host Murang’a Seal in one of the standout fixtures of the opening weekend, while AFC Leopards will face Bandari as both sides seek a strong start to the new campaign.
Reigning champions Kenya Police will begin their season away to newly promoted Migori Youth, while Tusker travel to face Ulinzi Stars.
Fans can watch the opening round matches live on Azam TV, the league’s main broadcast partner.
Those unable to watch on television can follow highlights, match clips and other content through FKF Digital, the federation’s official digital platform.
Matchweek 1 Fixtures
Friday, October 9
Nairobi United vs KCB (Police Sacco Grounds, 3:00 pm)
Saturday, October 10
Mathare United vs APS Bomet (Police Sacco Grounds, 3:00 pm)
Posta Rangers vs Shabana (Wang’uru Stadium, 3:00 pm)
Gor Mahia vs Murang’a Seal (Venue TBC, 4:00 pm)
Sunday, October 11
Ulinzi Stars vs Tusker (Ulinzi Sports Complex, 3:00 pm)
3K FC vs Mara Sugar (Moi Stadium, Embu, 3:00 pm)
Migori Youth vs Kenya Police (Green Stadium, Awendo, 3:00 pm)
Playoff Winners vs Kakamega Homeboyz (Venue TBC, 3:00 pm)
AFC Leopards vs Bandari (Ulinzi Sports Complex, 3:00 pm)
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The 2026/27 Kenyan Premier League campaign is expected to run under the SportPesa League banner after the betting firm secured the league’s title sponsorship, ending months of uncertainty over the future of the competition and paving the way for the return of top-flight football.
New Kenyan Premier League Rules to Watch This Season
The return of the Kenyan Premier League also brings several changes that could shape the 2026/27 campaign on and off the pitch.
One of the biggest adjustments concerns foreign players.
After consultations between the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and clubs ahead of the new season, teams can now register up to seven foreign players in their squads.
However, clubs can include only five foreign players in a matchday squad for a league fixture.
The move is expected to give clubs greater flexibility in squad building while maintaining opportunities for local talent.
Another major change involves matchday medical requirements.
FKF has made it mandatory for every league fixture to have two ambulances available at the venue.
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The requirement was agreed upon before the start of the season and aims to improve player safety and emergency response during matches.
The new season will also be played under the 2019 FKF regulations following a court ruling that cleared the way for the league to kick off after weeks of uncertainty.
The dispute centered on the promotion and relegation system, with disagreements over whether the league should operate under the 2019 regulations or the revised 2025 rules.
Under the 2019 regulations, the bottom two teams at the end of the season are automatically relegated to the National Super League, while the top two National Super League sides gain automatic promotion to the Premier League.
The team that finishes third in the National Super League will then face the 16th-placed Premier League side in a promotion-relegation playoff to determine who earns a place in the top flight for the following season.
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