Nike and Jordan Brand are rolling into summer 2026 with a retro lineup that has sneakerheads already circling dates on their calendars. Between long-rumored returns, first-ever retro releases, and a fresh batch of collaborations, it’s shaping up to be a stretch worth paying attention to. Recent drops like the Air Jordan 4 “Toro Bravo” and Nigel Sylvester’s “Brick After Brick” series are still buzzing, but the next few months go deeper.
Travis Scott’s Air Jordan 1 pipeline is still flowing, and word is the New York Knicks are getting their own Air Jordan 8 colorway. But the real story here is what’s coming next. Let’s run through the biggest releases hitting shelves through late August.
Air Jordan 7 “Miró Olympics”
This one has been sitting in the vault since 2008. It first dropped during the Beijing Olympics and leans heavily on Joan Miró’s artwork — bright splashes of primary color, gold flakes scattered across white leather, and a black outsole that keeps it from getting too busy. The multicolored laces are a nice touch. Nike’s take on it: Miró rejected rigid realism, and so did MJ when he turned sneakers into art. These land on SNKRS July 10 for $255.
Air Jordan 3 “True Blue”
This is the release a lot of people are waiting for. The OG 1988 version is coming back with Nike Air on the heel, elephant print on the mudguard and eyelets, and that white-cement-true blue palette. Red accents break up the leather base cleanly. It’s dropping July 18 on Nike platforms and select retailers for $230, and it’ll probably be the hardest pair to buy this summer.
WMNS Air Jordan 4 “Birds of Paradise”
Women’s sizing exclusive, but don’t sleep on this if you can fit. The colorway goes coconut milk, metallic gold, muslin, bright mango, and sundial across pebbled leather panels. The standout detail is the translucent mango outsole that gradients toward the toe, mimicking a Birds of Paradise bloom. Overseas release is July 10, U.S. drops July 23. Retail is $220.
Air Jordan 1 High OG “Love Letter”
This one tells a story. Dark brown suede, deep maroon hits, and an ankle collar that feels like old, worn basketball leather. It’s meant to nod to MJ’s final exit from the game with the Wizards in 2003. The full name on the box is a mouthful — Shadow Brown, Soft Pearl, Light British Tan, Pale Ivory, Muslin, Team Red — but the look is clean and understated. It drops August 1 for $185 in full sizing.
Air Jordan 13 “Flint”
First released in 1998, the Flint 13 has become one of the most respected non-Bulls colorways in the series. It’s been retroed three times already, most recently in 2020, and resale on those is hovering around $230. The August 1 release gives people a chance to grab a fresh pair at retail for $215. If you’ve been waiting, this is probably your move.
Air Jordan 6 “Oreo”
Believe it or not, this is the first retro for the Oreo 6. The original dropped in 2010 and built a following around its black suede upper, white speckled midsole, and matching lace lock. The name comes from that Oreo-like splatter across the midsole. It’s coming August 8 for $215 in full family sizing, which is a nice bonus for parents who want matching pairs.
Air Jordan 9 “Space Jam”
The 9 often gets overshadowed by the 11 when people talk about Space Jam sneakers, but this colorway has its own following. White, black, and true red in OG form, dropping for the film’s 35th anniversary. There’s a report it might also hit shelves December 26, but August 29 is the date Nike is working with right now. Retail is $215.
Awake NY x Air Jordan 6
Angelo Baque’s Awake NY is back with Jordan after their Air Jordan 5 collab, and this time it’s a two-pack. One pair leans pink, the other blue, with contrast stitching across the complicated Air Jordan 6 panel layout. The back heel gets “AWAKE NY” stitched under the Jumpman, and there’s a special hang tag and packaging. Both drop in extremely limited quantities at the end of August for $230.
Release dates shift, and Nike hasn’t confirmed everything here yet, so treat these as strong rumors for now. But if even half of these land as scheduled, summer 2026 is going to be expensive.
Leave a Comment