We’ve been talking about it for what seems like six months at this point. Without question, 2025 was one of the greatest years in recent sneaker memory. We got legendary returns, collabs from familiar faces, and brand new players entered the mainstream and left their mark. Now it’s time to forget about all of that and turn the page to the sneaker releases we’re anticipating in 2026.
Nigel Sylester has another AJ4 collab on the way, Fragment has more three-way drops coming, and we’ll finally be getting the long-awaited release of Caitlin Clark’s first signature sneaker—just to name a few.
Check out our list of the most anticipated sneakers of 2026 below and vote in the poll below for your favorite.
Every Air Jordan Releasing in 2026
10 Fashion Trends We Think Will Run Streetwear in 2026
Expected Release: Holiday 2026
If the demand for the “Gamma” Jordan 11, a colorway that wasn’t celebrated when it originally released in 2011, topped the SNKRS most wanted sneaker list, it’s easy to assume that the beloved “Space Jam” makeup will be sought after when it returns this year. Aside from its ties with its classic namesake film, it’s a very wearable colorway, donning an all-black color scheme with a blue Jumpman by the ankle and paired with an icy blue outsole. Also, given that this year will be the 30th anniversary of the movie and 10 years since the sneaker’s last retro, fans are ready for its return. —Victor Deng
Expected Release: Holiday 2026
Any time an iconic shoe like a “Bred” 4 comes back, it’s going to make headlines. It feels like this has happened four times in the last decade, but I’m still going to try and snag a pair each and every time. This time around, it’s going to sport the traditional premium nubuck construction as opposed to the reimagined leather we got most recently. To me, there are a handful of Jordans that the brand can bring back as much as it wants without it becoming an issue, and “Bred” 4s are one of them. Just make these and the “Black Cement” 3s as available as white Air Force 1s already. —Ben Felderstein
Expected Release: Spring 2026
Unlike the many sneakers on this list, Action Bronson has taken it upon himself to share what he and New Balance have cooking in 2026. So far, Action has teased multiple iterations of the upcoming New Balance 1890, which is a new silhouette that’s slated to debut later this spring. His pairs are done up in colorful arrangements similar to many of his past New Balance projects. Action’s 1890s are expected to arrive sometime during the early portion of this year, so don’t be surprised if the duo has more collabs coming down the pipeline. —Victor Deng
Expected Release: May 2026
You’d have a pretty difficult time coming up with a name in the sneaker industry that had a hotter 2025 than Nigel Sylvester. He had the unanimous sneaker of the year with the Air Jordan 4 “Brick by Brick,” and his “Better with Time” Air Jordan 1 Lows made their own headlines. As an encore, Nigel has a second pair of Jordan 4s in the tuck that he first teased during the rollout of the “Bricks” at their debut fashion show. Not a ton is known about this pair at the moment, other than the fact that the color blocking is reminiscent of the OG “Fire Reds.” Whatever the deal with the final pair is, expect the storytelling to be on point and for the people to show up in droves to whatever IRL moment Nigel puts on. —Ben Felderstein
Expected Release: TBD
This just might be the most anticipated sneaker on this whole list if you think about it from a mainstream perspective. Caitlin Clark is one of the biggest stars in all of basketball and completely shifted the way the world thinks about women’s basketball. Now, Clark is finally getting her own signature sneaker with Nike after wearing Kobes to begin her professional career. Clark and the Swoosh revealed the star’s signature logo in 2025, and just a few weeks ago she went on the New Heights podcast and revealed that there would be a brand new Nike technology in the shoe. Sabrina Ionescu’s signature line laid the foundation for what success could look like for Clark, consistently being one of the most popular sneaker franchises worn in the NBA. This list has a lot of hype on it, but I believe a Caitlin Clark signature sneaker has the true potential to make a serious impact. —Ben Felderstein
They’re finally these are making their way to the masses. Last year the icon returned in its original form (with the BBL as Matt Welty would put it), but in very limited quantities. You can expect the “Neon” Air Max 95s to make a broader comeback in 2026 just in time for Air Max Day. If you’re anything like me, you got bit hard by the AM95 bug in 2025, and I, for one, will be fully carrying that over into this year as well. —Ben Felderstein
Expected Release: Summer 2026
We don’t know too much about this pair (or is it pairs?) yet. The one thing we do know is that they’re pink, and that’s a departure from the norm for Travis Scott and the majority of his Air Jordan 1 Low collabs. Pink shoes are always going to grab attention—think of the Kay Yow Kobes, or all of the Aunt Pearl KDs—there’s something about a pink shoe that always makes waves. Add a reverse Travis Scott Swoosh and some Cactus Jack branding into the mix and you have yourself one of the most anticipated sneakers of 2026 on your hands. —Ben Felderstein
Expected Release: Holiday 2026
I’ve been staring at a pair of size 13 well-used “Forrest Green” 14s on Liukang’s Closet for about a year now, getting closer and closer to pulling the trigger. Thankfully, now I’m not going to have to do that, and I’ll just cop the long-awaited retro. This is a great sign for high-numbered Jordan Brand truthers. We saw how much success Infinite Archives’ AJ17 Low had last year, so if we all play our cards right and make these a success, then that means we’re one step closer to Ginger 16s, right? —Ben Felderstein
Expected Release: Spring 2026
Bad Bunny is the biggest artist on planet earth right now. He tops the streaming charts, he’s headlining the Super Bowl Halftime show, and his partnership with Adidas continues to produce fruitful collaborations. In 2026, Benito and the Three Stripes will take the next step in their partnership, with an original silhouette set to serve as his first signature shoe. Travis Scott currently has a signature shoe with Jordan Brand, but it’s a feat often reserved for athletes. No official word has come out surrounding what is being called the BadBo 1.0 currently, but there have been promising teasers. Anything that Bad Bunny touches right now turns to gold, don’t expect things to be any different for these. —Ben Felderstein
Expected Release: Spring 2026
Any time Levi’s and Nike or Jordan Brand team up for a sneaker collab, it’s worth paying attention to. Look no further than last year’s trio of Air Max 95s decked out in denim and made up in a traditional blue jean, white, or black hue. This year, they’re working on another trio, this time a set of Air Jordan 3s debuted by the sneaker icon, Spike Lee. It’s looking like the same trio of colorways will be represented this time as well. No official release info is available yet, but with the rollout having started, expect to learn more fairly soon. —Ben Felderstein
Expected Release: Fall 2026
J Balvin was recently spotted on tour wearing a multicolored Air Jordan 4 that many believed would be his next collaboration to hit release. It’s since been confirmed that the retail release will arrive in a different colorway. Personally, I’m a fan of his Air Jordan 3 collaboration, which feels like his strongest execution to date. While we don’t have an official look yet beyond speculative mockups, the pair is rumored to come in a “lemonade” colorway, continuing his streak of loud, bold designs. —Douglas Jase
Expected Release: Spring 2026
Jordan Brand’s short-lived Air Jordan Bin23 series is reportedly coming back this year, and if it was anything like the first go-around, pairs will be in high demand. The original Bin23s were special Air Jordans featuring some of the highest levels of craftsmanship from the brand, and included the Jordan 2, the 5, the 7, the 9, and the 13. Each of the releases was limited, with some styles individually numbered. Early reports suggest that new silhouettes will be part of this year’s drop, and it will be exciting to see new elevated versions of popular Air Jordans. —Victor Deng
Expected Release: March 2026
When LVMH bought the majority stake of Off-White from Virgil Abloh in 2021 and then LVMH sold the brand to Bluestar Alliance LLC last year, many assumed that the collaborations between Off-White and Nike were over. While technically that’s still true, the Virgil Abloh estate is bringing back the Off-White x Air Jordan 1 under the Virgil Abloh Archives brand. Leaked images show that the re-release will don the once-Europe-exclusive “Alaska” colorway and include special packaging fans are accustomed to seeing from the previous partnership. —Victor Deng
Expected Release: February 2026
After being teased in leaks last year, we’re finally getting an official release of this triple collaboration. The pairs are expected to be geo-exclusive and released in limited quantities. For anyone who missed out the first time, this isn’t a bad second chance—and I’m especially curious to see how the rollout plays out by region. Hiroshi and Travis Scott recently hosted a Tokyo-exclusive pop-up for the Fragment x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low, and Chris Gibbs served as creative director on the Undefeated x Air Jordan 4. Regardless of how you feel about the collab it wouldn’t be surprising if this one goes global—and goes crazy. —Douglas Jase
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