Introduction HLA antigen matching often plays an important role in organ transplantation. As for HLA class I antigen matching, there are differences of opinion regarding its influence on the outcome of renal transplantations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of HLA class I antigen matching with early graft outcomes in living donor kidney transplantation. Patients and methods We evaluated graft outcomes in the first month of transplantation. Major events were slow graft function (serum creatinine > 250 μmol/L at the end of first week), delayed graft function (patients requiring dialysis in first week), and acute rejection episode. Graft outcomes were compared for normal renal function (NRF, serum creatinine ≤ 175 μmol/L) impaired renal function (IRF, serum creatinine > 175 μmol/L) or impaired graft function due to an acute rejection episode (IGF). Results The 115 subjects had a mean age of 29 ± 8 years and their donors 38 ± 11 years ( P < .01). Immunosuppression included prednisolone, azathioprine, and cyclosporine. Parents, siblings, and others were kidney donors in 46%, 33%, and 21%, respectively. Comparisons between NRF/IRF (serum creatinine 133 ± 24 vs 201 ± 36 μmol/L, P < .01) and NGF/IGF (serum creatinine 146 ± 44 vs 161 ± 39 μmol/L, P < .05) showed no difference in number or pattern of HLA matching. Conclusion HLA class I antigen matching may not produce an added influence on early graft outcome among living donor kidney transplantations.