Hull got the first three points for the win, while Leicester suffered the first loss in the title defence.
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Despite the backdrop to its top-flight return, Hull took the lead in first-half stoppage time with an acrobatic shot by Adama Diomande.
Leicester equalized with a penalty nearly immediately after the re-start, Riyad Mahrez driving home the spot-kick.
Having levelled, Leicester began to discover some rhythm in their play, but they were again punished for their lack of sharpness as Robert Snodgrass put Hull in the lead again.
Leicester will look back ruefully on a first-half they dominated without making it count – Jamie Vardy particularly wasteful in front of goal. For the Foxes, the defeat demonstrates the size of the task they face in trying to defend their title.
Leicester had a prolonged period in Leicester’s half with Mahrez again coming close with a swinging free-kick in the 71st minute, but were unable to convert – with Hull hanging out for a famous victory.
Two minutes later, on halftime, Vardy had an even better chance after being set up by Musa, but could only blaze over the bar.
Abel Hernandez and Diomande both had the same idea, producing synchronised bicycle kicks which each connected to produce a breathtakingly unlikely goal.
Leicester are the first reigning top-flight champions to lose their opening game of the following league season since Arsenal in the 1989-90 season, when the Gunners were crushed 4-1 by Manchester United.
One other area of concern, however, for Redknapp was the lacklustre performances of some of Leicester’s key players from last season’s title-winning campaign, most notably Riyad Mahrez.
After the restart, Leicester were handed an easy way in after Huddlestone tripped Gray on the edge of the box resulting in a penalty.
Ahmed Elmohamady was quick to intercept a Schmeichel throw, and raced down the right to create space for a cross that Danny Simpson half-cleared, before Snodgrass drove in the loose ball.
“I told my players this season will be harder than last season”.
Seeing Leicester fall off so quickly after winning the Premier League title would be really unusual, but for this team, it’s par for the course. Our effort was unbelievable but it was individual, not as a team.
“When we conceded the goal like we did after half-time you think the floodgates may open, but they carried on and showed great determination and character”.
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“We tried to win but sometimes it’s impossible – they defended very well”.
