diff --git a/app/components/release_list_component.rb b/app/components/release_list_component.rb
index a3d076449..ee0d9f3db 100644
--- a/app/components/release_list_component.rb
+++ b/app/components/release_list_component.rb
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ def no_release_empty_state
       else
         {
           title: "Upcoming release",
-          text: "Your first scheduled release will automatically kick-off at #{train.kickoff_at.to_fs(:short)}. You can also manually run a new release by clicking the prepare button."
+          text: "Your first scheduled release will automatically kick-off at #{train.next_run_at.in_time_zone(train.app.timezone).to_fs(:short)}. You can also manually run a new release by clicking the prepare button."
         }
       end
     else
diff --git a/app/controllers/trains_controller.rb b/app/controllers/trains_controller.rb
index 2a14839f9..abbe2fbc8 100644
--- a/app/controllers/trains_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/trains_controller.rb
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ def train_params
       :versioning_strategy,
       :release_backmerge_branch,
       :release_branch,
-      :kickoff_at,
+      :kickoff_time,
       :repeat_duration_value,
       :repeat_duration_unit,
       :notification_channel,
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ def train_update_params
       :build_queue_size,
       :build_queue_wait_time_unit,
       :build_queue_wait_time_value,
-      :kickoff_at,
+      :kickoff_time,
       :repeat_duration_value,
       :repeat_duration_unit,
       :release_schedule_enabled,
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ def build_queue_config(config_params)
   end
 
   def release_schedule_config_params
-    [:release_schedule_enabled, :kickoff_at, :repeat_duration_value, :repeat_duration_unit, :stop_automatic_releases_on_failure]
+    [:release_schedule_enabled, :kickoff_time, :repeat_duration_value, :repeat_duration_unit, :stop_automatic_releases_on_failure]
   end
 
   def release_schedule_config(config_params)
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ def release_schedule_config(config_params)
 
     {
       repeat_duration: parsed_duration(config_params[:repeat_duration_value], config_params[:repeat_duration_unit]),
-      kickoff_at: config_params[:kickoff_at]&.time_in_utc,
+      kickoff_time: config_params[:kickoff_time],
       stop_automatic_releases_on_failure: config_params[:stop_automatic_releases_on_failure]
     }
   end
diff --git a/app/helpers/trains_helper.rb b/app/helpers/trains_helper.rb
index 3750c4a4b..5e0adb183 100644
--- a/app/helpers/trains_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/trains_helper.rb
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 module TrainsHelper
   def release_schedule(train)
     if train.automatic?
-      date = time_format(train.kickoff_at, with_year: true, with_time: false)
       duration = train.repeat_duration.inspect
-      time = train.kickoff_at.strftime("%I:%M%p (%Z)")
-      "Kickoff at #{date} – runs every #{duration} at #{time}"
+      time = train.kickoff_time.strftime("%I:%M%p")
+      timezone = train.app.timezone
+      "Runs every #{duration} at #{time} (#{timezone})"
     else
       "No release schedule"
     end
diff --git a/app/models/train.rb b/app/models/train.rb
index affb9b382..f2612b2c4 100644
--- a/app/models/train.rb
+++ b/app/models/train.rb
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 #  description                                    :string
 #  enable_changelog_linking_in_notifications      :boolean          default(FALSE)
 #  freeze_version                                 :boolean          default(FALSE)
-#  kickoff_at                                     :datetime
+#  kickoff_time                                   :time
 #  name                                           :string           not null
 #  notification_channel                           :jsonb
 #  notifications_release_specific_channel_enabled :boolean          default(FALSE)
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ class Train < ApplicationRecord
   validates :release_branch, presence: true, if: -> { branching_strategy == "parallel_working" }
   validate :version_compatibility, on: :create
   validate :ready?, on: :create
-  validate :valid_schedule, if: -> { kickoff_at_changed? || repeat_duration_changed? }
+  validate :valid_schedule, if: -> { kickoff_time_changed? || repeat_duration_changed? }
   validate :build_queue_config
   validate :backmerge_config
   validate :working_branch_presence, on: :create
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ class Train < ApplicationRecord
   before_update :create_default_notification_settings, if: -> do
     notification_channel_changed? || notifications_release_specific_channel_enabled_changed?
   end
-  after_update :schedule_release!, if: -> { kickoff_at.present? && kickoff_at_previously_was.blank? }
+  after_update :schedule_release!, if: -> { kickoff_time.present? && kickoff_time_previously_was.blank? }
 
   def disable_copy_approvals
     self.copy_approvals = false
@@ -213,13 +213,13 @@ def previously_finished_release
   end
 
   def automatic?
-    kickoff_at.present? && repeat_duration.present?
+    kickoff_time.present? && repeat_duration.present?
   end
 
   def next_run_at
     return unless automatic?
 
-    base_time = last_run_at
+    base_time = last_run_at || kickoff_datetime.utc
     now = Time.current
 
     return base_time if now < base_time
@@ -230,11 +230,22 @@ def next_run_at
   end
 
   def runnable?
+    return false unless next_run_at
+    return true if last_run_at.nil? # First run is always runnable
     next_run_at > last_run_at
   end
 
   def last_run_at
-    scheduled_releases.last&.scheduled_at || kickoff_at
+    scheduled_releases.last&.scheduled_at
+  end
+
+  # Converts kickoff_time to a datetime in the app's timezone for the next occurrence
+  def kickoff_datetime(reference_time = Time.current)
+    tz = app.timezone
+    ref_in_tz = reference_time.in_time_zone(tz)
+
+    # Combine kickoff_time with reference date in app's timezone
+    tz.parse("#{ref_in_tz.to_date} #{kickoff_time.strftime('%H:%M:%S')}")
   end
 
   def diff_since_last_release?
@@ -586,9 +597,8 @@ def ensure_deletable
   end
 
   def valid_schedule
-    if kickoff_at.present? || repeat_duration.present?
-      errors.add(:repeat_duration, "invalid schedule, provide both kickoff and period for repeat") unless kickoff_at.present? && repeat_duration.present?
-      errors.add(:kickoff_at, "the schedule kickoff should be in the future") if kickoff_at && kickoff_at <= Time.current
+    if kickoff_time.present? || repeat_duration.present?
+      errors.add(:repeat_duration, "invalid schedule, provide both kickoff time and period for repeat") unless kickoff_time.present? && repeat_duration.present?
       errors.add(:repeat_duration, "the repeat duration should be more than 1 day") if repeat_duration && repeat_duration < 1.day
     end
   end
diff --git a/app/views/trains/_release_schedule_form.html.erb b/app/views/trains/_release_schedule_form.html.erb
index ee12aa239..2b981060b 100644
--- a/app/views/trains/_release_schedule_form.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/trains/_release_schedule_form.html.erb
@@ -11,11 +11,10 @@
       <% component.with_child do %>
         <div class="grid gap-y-4 gap-x-2 md:grid-cols-3">
           <div class="col-span-1">
-            <%= form.labeled_datetime_field :kickoff_at,
-                  "Kickoff at",
-                  {min: Date.current,
-                   data: {action: "domain--release-schedule-help#change",
-                          domain__release_schedule_help_target: "kickoffDate"}} %>
+            <%= form.labeled_time_field :kickoff_time,
+                  "Kickoff time",
+                  {data: {action: "domain--release-schedule-help#change",
+                          domain__release_schedule_help_target: "kickoffTime"}} %>
           </div>
           <div class="col-span-2">
             <%= form.label_only :repeat_duration, "Every" %>
diff --git a/db/data/20240305124235_connect_scheduled_releases_with_release.rb b/db/data/20240305124235_connect_scheduled_releases_with_release.rb
index fda6cfa60..161f035a8 100644
--- a/db/data/20240305124235_connect_scheduled_releases_with_release.rb
+++ b/db/data/20240305124235_connect_scheduled_releases_with_release.rb
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ def up
     return
     ActiveRecord::Base.transaction do
       # scan all automatic trains
-      Train.where.not(kickoff_at: nil).where.not(repeat_duration: nil).each do |train|
+      Train.where.not(kickoff_time: nil).where.not(repeat_duration: nil).each do |train|
         # check redundantly to be sure
         next unless train.automatic?
 
diff --git a/db/migrate/20251118165553_change_kickoff_at_to_kickoff_time.rb b/db/migrate/20251118165553_change_kickoff_at_to_kickoff_time.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1a527c231
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20251118165553_change_kickoff_at_to_kickoff_time.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+class ChangeKickoffAtToKickoffTime < ActiveRecord::Migration[7.0]
+  def up
+    # Step 1: Add new kickoff_time column (time without timezone)
+    add_column :trains, :kickoff_time, :time
+
+    # Step 2: Migrate existing data
+    # Convert kickoff_at (UTC datetime) to time in app's timezone
+    reversible do |dir|
+      dir.up do
+        Train.reset_column_information
+        Train.find_each do |train|
+          next if train.kickoff_at.blank?
+
+          # Convert kickoff_at (UTC) to app's timezone and extract time component
+          time_in_app_tz = train.kickoff_at.in_time_zone(train.app.timezone)
+          train.update_column(:kickoff_time, time_in_app_tz.strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    # Step 3: Remove old column
+    safety_assured { remove_column :trains, :kickoff_at }
+  end
+
+  def down
+    # Add back the datetime column
+    add_column :trains, :kickoff_at, :datetime
+
+    # Attempt to reverse the migration
+    # Note: We can't perfectly reverse since we lose the date component
+    # We'll set it to the next occurrence from now
+    reversible do |dir|
+      dir.down do
+        Train.reset_column_information
+        Train.find_each do |train|
+          next if train.kickoff_time.blank?
+
+          # Set to next occurrence from now in app's timezone
+          tz = train.app.timezone
+          now = Time.current.in_time_zone(tz)
+          kickoff_today = tz.parse("#{now.to_date} #{train.kickoff_time}")
+          kickoff_datetime = kickoff_today > now ? kickoff_today : kickoff_today + 1.day
+
+          train.update_column(:kickoff_at, kickoff_datetime.utc)
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    # Remove the time column
+    safety_assured { remove_column :trains, :kickoff_time }
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/tasks/anonymize.rake b/lib/tasks/anonymize.rake
index 98707eb14..e1b804049 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/anonymize.rake
+++ b/lib/tasks/anonymize.rake
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ namespace :anonymize do
         whitelist "name", "slug", "description", "status", "branching_strategy", "version_seeded_with", "version_current",
           "repeat_duration", "build_queue_wait_time", "build_queue_size", "backmerge_strategy", "manual_release",
           "tag_store_releases_with_platform_names", "tag_store_releases", "compact_build_notes", "tag_end_of_release", "build_queue_enabled",
-          "kickoff_at", "versioning_strategy", "send_build_notes", "notifications_release_specific_channel_enabled",
+          "kickoff_time", "versioning_strategy", "send_build_notes", "notifications_release_specific_channel_enabled",
           "tag_end_of_release_prefix", "tag_end_of_release_suffix", "version_bump_strategy", "enable_changelog_linking_in_notifications",
           "release_branch_pattern", "webhooks_enabled"
         whitelist_timestamps
diff --git a/spec/components/scheduled_train_component_spec.rb b/spec/components/scheduled_train_component_spec.rb
index 0d0fbe9d1..5928e11cb 100644
--- a/spec/components/scheduled_train_component_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/components/scheduled_train_component_spec.rb
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
                 version_seeded_with: "2025.01.01",
                 versioning_strategy: :calver,
                 repeat_duration: 1.day,
-                kickoff_at: creation_time + 1.hour)
+                kickoff_time: (creation_time + 1.hour).strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
 
               create(:scheduled_release, train:, scheduled_at: scheduled_time)
             end
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
                 version_seeded_with: "2025.01.01",
                 versioning_strategy: :calver,
                 repeat_duration:,
-                kickoff_at: creation_time + 1.hour)
+                kickoff_time: (creation_time + 1.hour).strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
               create(:scheduled_release, train:, scheduled_at: scheduled_time)
             end
 
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
                 version_seeded_with: "2025.01.01",
                 versioning_strategy: :calver,
                 repeat_duration: 1.day,
-                kickoff_at: creation_time + 1.hour)
+                kickoff_time: (creation_time + 1.hour).strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
               scheduled_release = create(:scheduled_release, train:, scheduled_at: scheduled_time)
               create(:release, :on_track, train:, original_release_version: "2025.02.01", scheduled_release:)
             end
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@
                 version_seeded_with: "2025.01.01",
                 versioning_strategy: :calver,
                 repeat_duration:,
-                kickoff_at: creation_time + 1.hour)
+                kickoff_time: (creation_time + 1.hour).strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
               scheduled_release = create(:scheduled_release, train:, scheduled_at: scheduled_time)
               create(:release, :on_track, train:, original_release_version: "2025.02.01", scheduled_release:)
             end
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@
                 version_seeded_with: "2025.01.01",
                 versioning_strategy: :calver,
                 repeat_duration: 1.day,
-                kickoff_at: creation_time + 1.hour)
+                kickoff_time: (creation_time + 1.hour).strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
 
               create(:scheduled_release, train:, scheduled_at: scheduled_time)
             end
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@
                 version_seeded_with: "2025.01.01",
                 versioning_strategy: :calver,
                 repeat_duration:,
-                kickoff_at: creation_time + 1.hour)
+                kickoff_time: (creation_time + 1.hour).strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
               create(:scheduled_release, train:, scheduled_at: scheduled_time)
             end
 
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@
                 version_seeded_with: "2025.01.01",
                 versioning_strategy: :calver,
                 repeat_duration: 1.day,
-                kickoff_at: creation_time + 1.hour)
+                kickoff_time: (creation_time + 1.hour).strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
               scheduled_release = create(:scheduled_release, train:, scheduled_at: scheduled_time)
               create(:release, :on_track, train:, original_release_version: "2025.02.01", scheduled_release:)
             end
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@
                 version_seeded_with: "2025.01.01",
                 versioning_strategy: :calver,
                 repeat_duration:,
-                kickoff_at: creation_time + 1.hour)
+                kickoff_time: (creation_time + 1.hour).strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
               scheduled_release = create(:scheduled_release, train:, scheduled_at: scheduled_time)
               create(:release, :on_track, train:, original_release_version: "2025.02.01", scheduled_release:)
             end
diff --git a/spec/factories/trains.rb b/spec/factories/trains.rb
index 4e6c40c4d..0e95ea8ac 100644
--- a/spec/factories/trains.rb
+++ b/spec/factories/trains.rb
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
 
     trait :with_schedule do
       branching_strategy { "almost_trunk" }
-      kickoff_at { 2.hours.from_now }
+      kickoff_time { (Time.current + 2.hours).strftime("%H:%M:%S") }
       repeat_duration { 1.day }
     end
 
diff --git a/spec/jobs/schedule_train_releases_job_spec.rb b/spec/jobs/schedule_train_releases_job_spec.rb
index 545554941..41263bf47 100644
--- a/spec/jobs/schedule_train_releases_job_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/jobs/schedule_train_releases_job_spec.rb
@@ -4,12 +4,16 @@
 describe ScheduleTrainReleasesJob do
   it "schedules release for active trains" do
     train = create(:train, :active, :with_schedule)
-    train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: train.kickoff_at)
+    tz = train.app.timezone
 
-    travel_to train.kickoff_at + 1.hour do
+    # Create a scheduled release in the past
+    first_scheduled = 2.hours.ago.in_time_zone(tz).change(hour: 14, min: 0, sec: 0).utc
+    train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: first_scheduled)
+
+    travel_to first_scheduled + 1.hour do
       described_class.new.perform
       expect(train.reload.scheduled_releases.count).to eq(2)
-      expect(train.reload.scheduled_releases.last.scheduled_at).to eq(train.kickoff_at + train.repeat_duration)
+      expect(train.reload.scheduled_releases.last.scheduled_at).to eq(first_scheduled + train.repeat_duration)
     end
   end
 
@@ -23,8 +27,13 @@
   end
 
   it "does not schedule release for active trains with nothing to schedule" do
-    train = create(:train, :with_almost_trunk, :active, kickoff_at: Time.current + 2.hours, repeat_duration: 5.days)
-    train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: train.kickoff_at)
+    future_time = (Time.current + 2.hours).strftime("%H:%M:%S")
+    train = create(:train, :with_almost_trunk, :active, kickoff_time: future_time, repeat_duration: 5.days)
+    tz = train.app.timezone
+
+    # Create a scheduled release in the future
+    future_scheduled = Time.current.in_time_zone(tz).change(hour: Time.current.hour + 2).utc
+    train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: future_scheduled)
 
     expect(train.scheduled_releases.count).to eq(1)
 
diff --git a/spec/models/train_spec.rb b/spec/models/train_spec.rb
index 3b7ddb19f..3b09668d2 100644
--- a/spec/models/train_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/train_spec.rb
@@ -102,51 +102,73 @@
       train.activate!
 
       expect(train.reload.scheduled_releases.count).to be(1)
-      expect(train.reload.scheduled_releases.first.scheduled_at).to eq(train.kickoff_at)
+      scheduled_at = train.reload.scheduled_releases.first.scheduled_at
+      expect(scheduled_at.in_time_zone(train.app.timezone).strftime("%H:%M:%S")).to eq(train.kickoff_time.strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
     end
   end
 
   describe "#next_run_at" do
-    it "returns kickoff time if no releases have been scheduled yet and kickoff is in the future" do
+    it "returns next occurrence of kickoff time if no releases have been scheduled yet" do
       train = create(:train, :with_schedule, :active)
+      next_run = train.next_run_at
 
-      expect(train.next_run_at).to eq(train.kickoff_at)
+      expect(next_run).to be > Time.current
+      expect(next_run.in_time_zone(train.app.timezone).strftime("%H:%M:%S")).to eq(train.kickoff_time.strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
     end
 
-    it "returns kickoff + repeat duration time if no releases have been scheduled yet and kickoff is in the past" do
-      train = create(:train, :with_schedule, :active)
+    it "returns next occurrence with repeat duration if kickoff time today has passed" do
+      # Set kickoff_time to 10 AM
+      train = create(:train, :active, branching_strategy: "almost_trunk", kickoff_time: "10:00:00", repeat_duration: 1.day)
+
+      # Travel to 3 PM same day - should return next occurrence (tomorrow at 10 AM)
+      tz = train.app.timezone
+      today_3pm = Time.current.in_time_zone(tz).change(hour: 15, min: 0, sec: 0)
 
-      travel_to train.kickoff_at + 1.hour do
-        expect(train.next_run_at).to eq(train.kickoff_at + train.repeat_duration)
+      travel_to today_3pm do
+        next_run = train.next_run_at
+        expect(next_run).to be > Time.current
+        expect(next_run.in_time_zone(tz).strftime("%H:%M:%S")).to eq("10:00:00")
       end
     end
 
     it "returns next available schedule time if there is a scheduled release" do
       train = create(:train, :with_schedule, :active)
-      train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: train.kickoff_at)
+      tz = train.app.timezone
 
-      travel_to train.kickoff_at + 1.hour do
-        expect(train.next_run_at).to eq(train.kickoff_at + train.repeat_duration)
-      end
+      # Create a scheduled release for a specific time
+      first_scheduled = Time.current.in_time_zone(tz).change(hour: 14, min: 0, sec: 0).utc
+      train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: first_scheduled)
+
+      # Next run should be first_scheduled + repeat_duration
+      expect(train.next_run_at).to eq(first_scheduled + train.repeat_duration)
     end
 
     it "returns next available schedule time if there are many scheduled releases" do
       train = create(:train, :with_schedule, :active)
-      train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: train.kickoff_at)
-      train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: train.kickoff_at + train.repeat_duration)
+      tz = train.app.timezone
 
-      travel_to train.kickoff_at + 1.day + 1.hour do
-        expect(train.next_run_at).to eq(train.kickoff_at + train.repeat_duration * 2)
-      end
+      first_scheduled = Time.current.in_time_zone(tz).change(hour: 14, min: 0, sec: 0).utc
+      train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: first_scheduled)
+      train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: first_scheduled + train.repeat_duration)
+
+      # Next run should be last scheduled + repeat_duration
+      expect(train.next_run_at).to eq(first_scheduled + train.repeat_duration * 2)
     end
 
     it "returns next available schedule time if there are scheduled releases and more than repeat duration has passed since last scheduled release" do
       train = create(:train, :with_schedule, :active)
-      train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: train.kickoff_at)
+      tz = train.app.timezone
 
-      travel_to train.kickoff_at + 2.days + 1.hour do
-        expect(train.next_run_at).to eq(train.kickoff_at + train.repeat_duration * 3)
-      end
+      # Create a scheduled release in the past
+      past_scheduled = 3.days.ago.in_time_zone(tz).change(hour: 14, min: 0, sec: 0).utc
+      train.scheduled_releases.create!(scheduled_at: past_scheduled)
+
+      next_run = train.next_run_at
+
+      # Should be in the future
+      expect(next_run).to be > Time.current
+      # Should be calculated by adding repeat_duration multiples to past_scheduled
+      expect(next_run).to be > past_scheduled
     end
   end
 
@@ -175,10 +197,12 @@
       train = create(:train, :with_almost_trunk, :active)
       expect(train.scheduled_releases.count).to be(0)
 
-      train.update!(kickoff_at: 2.days.from_now, repeat_duration: 2.days)
+      future_time = (Time.current + 2.hours).strftime("%H:%M:%S")
+      train.update!(kickoff_time: future_time, repeat_duration: 2.days)
 
       expect(train.reload.scheduled_releases.count).to be(1)
-      expect(train.reload.scheduled_releases.first.scheduled_at).to eq(train.kickoff_at)
+      scheduled_at = train.reload.scheduled_releases.first.scheduled_at
+      expect(scheduled_at.in_time_zone(train.app.timezone).strftime("%H:%M:%S")).to eq(train.kickoff_time.strftime("%H:%M:%S"))
     end
   end