kick‧off /ˈkɪk-ɒf $ -ɒːf/
noun [countable usually singular]1. the time when a football game starts, or the first kick of the game:
Kickoff is at 3.00.2. informal the beginning of a new activity
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
kickoff n. The start of something, like a new venture, a business, a sports event, or a concert season.
Beethoven's Ninth will be the kickoff for this summer season at Ravinia. [TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲