Abstract Objectives New-onset diabetes after kidney transplantation (NODAT) is associated with both renal allograft failure and increased rates of mortality. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the risk for NODAT in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Methods A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception through July 2015. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios or hazard ratios comparing the risk for NODAT in patients with ADPKD were included. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. Results Included in the analysis were 12 cohort studies, which comprised 1379 patients with ADPKD of a total of 9849 patients who had undergone kidney transplants. The pooled RRs of NODAT in patients with ADPKD were 1.92 (95% CI, 1.36 to 2.70). When meta-analysis was limited only to studies with confounder-adjusted analysis, the pooled RRs for NODAT were 1.98 (95% CI, 1.33 to 2.94). However, the association between NODAT requiring insulin treatment was insignificant, with pooled RRs of 1.57 (95% CI, 0.75 to 3.27). Conclusions Our meta-analysis demonstrates a significant association between ADPKD and NODAT in recipients of kidney transplants. The findings of this study may impact clinical management and follow up for patients with ADPKD after kidney transplantation.