With this year’s holiday Air Jordan 11 release just over a week away, Jordan Brand’s plans for next year’s festivities are already coming into focus.

The Air Jordan 11 “Gamma Blue” will become Jordan Brand’s annual AJ11 release in 2025, marking the first time the colorway has ever been brought back. Appearing almost entirely in black with the exception of its branding and translucent outsole, “Gamma” dropped in 2013 as just the second-ever non-original colorway for the Air Jordan 11 (the first being the all-white pair made for the 25th anniversary of Air Jordans in 2010).

Given how rare it was for Jordan Brand to mess with the Air Jordan 11 at the time, “Gamma” proved polarizing for sneakerheads when it hit stores just days before Christmas. That sort of preciousness is now very much a thing of the past, and the camp that rejoiced in the addition of “Gamma” should now be joined by an even bigger crowd anticipating the colorway’s return once again for the holidays.

News of the Air Jordan 11’s place in the holiday 2025 lineup comes from trusted leaker @zsneakerheadz, who also reported that the Air Jordan 11 “Black/Red/Grey” expected at the same time has been shelved. Although that brand-new colorway won’t see the light of day, another will with the Air Jordan 11 joining the “Rare Air” series that will also include the Air Jordan 1, Air Jordan 3 and Air Jordan 4.

The Air Jordan 11 “Gamma Blue” will release during the holiday 2025 season through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing has not yet been confirmed but should come in at the standard $230 price tag for the model, barring another price increase.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Michael Jordan’s first signature sneaker, the iconic Air Jordan 1, will continue its low-top campaign well into the new year with the rumored return of one of the model’s most important colorways. 

Early information from Sneaker Market indicate that a new Air Jordan 1 Low OG NRG style in “Black/Muslin/Varsity Red” will be arriving during the back half of 2025. While it’s far in advance and the exact color blocking has not been confirmed, many reports are speculating that the pair could be a faux-aged version of the “Chicago” Air Jordan 1 Low similar to the treatment seen on 2023’s “Lost and Found” Air Jordan 1 High. 

The “Chicago” colorway of the Air Jordan 1 is arguably its most iconic, with a mix of red, white and black to match Jordan’s Chicago Bulls uniform colors. It was released as a high-top in 1985, but didn’t appear in low-top form until decades later. The first “Chicago” Air Jordan 1 Low release came in 2016, which was prior to the more recent hype surrounding the low variation. That pair has since become increasingly scarce, with pairs regularly reselling for over $1,000 on platforms like GOAT and StockX.

It’s worth mentioning that the color blocking of the upcoming ’25 release could differ from the classic “Chicago” look and it hasn’t yet been confirmed if the pair will match the original styling. Based on the inclusion of Muslin, it’s safe to deduce that the sneaker will feature a pre-aged aesthetic of some sort. And the sneaker’s NRG distinction is reserved for some of Nike and Jordan Brand’s most limited-edition launches, so it’s likely the pair won’t be easy to come by — regardless of exactly how it ends up looking.

Other notable upcoming Air Jordan 1 Low releases include the upcoming “Rookie of the Year” colorway set to arrive in January and a new three-way collaboration between Jordan Brand, Travis Scott and Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment Design.

The Air Jordan 1 Low OG NRG “Black/Muslin/Varsity Red” is currently expected to be released on Sept. 30 with a SKU of IB8958-001. This story will be updated as more details are shared. The ’16 release of the Air Jordan 1 Low “Chicago” is pictured below.

Sneakers That Fetched Over $10K at Auction

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With Black Friday passed and the holiday shopping window fully open, the sneaker giants are duking it for your attention in a month packed with high-profile releases.

Be they retro Air Jordans, flame-riddled Nike runners or a divisive sneaker-loafer hybrid from New Balance, December is shaping up to be a strong end of the year for kicks. Lil Yachty will get his first release through a special Air Force 1 Low, while a Kobe Bryant tribute will also decorate the same model. Fear of God is set to debut its second Basketball sneaker from Adidas, and the Brand With Three Stripes will also unveil the modernized Adizero SL72 through a collaboration with Bad Bunny. And of course, we can’t forget one last Travis Scott release to get the people going.

Below, Footwear News breaks down all the best sneaker releases coming in December. You can also find a list of every Air Jordan, as well as the best Adidas sneakers and best Nike sneakers, at the respective links.

Puma Inhale “Color Shift” Pack

Release Date: December 1
Price: $130
SKU: 401665-01, 401665-02
Puma’s experimentation with the recently revived Inhale sneaker sees it transformed with iridescent colorways in purple and green.

Lil Yachty x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Concrete Boys”

Release Date: December 2
Price: $130
SKU: IB5720-100
Lil Yachty’s first sneaker to release to the public follows a lineage of rap label Air Force 1s that include Jay-Z and Fat Joe.

New Balance 1906 Loafer “Black”

Release Date: December 4
Price: $160
SKU: U1906LAI
New Balance’s sold-out 1906 Loafer returns in all-black treatment for the second colorway confirmed for December.

Nike Air Foamposite One “Copper”

Release Date: December 4
Price: $240
SKU: FZ9902-001
One of the most beloved Foamposite One colorways hits stores again for the first time since 2017.

Nike Alphafly 3 “Ekiden”

Release Date: December 4
Price: $285
SKU: HQ3501-100
Nike’s annual Ekiden collection nods to another from more than 20 years ago by decking out four runners, including the Swoosh’s premier super shoe, in flames.

Nike SB Dunk Low “Wizard of Oz”

Release Date: December 5
Price: $135
SKU: FZ1291-600
An official “Wizard of Oz” collaboration following the highly anticipated release of “Wicked” includes a wear-away upper to invoke ruby slippers.

Swarovski x Nike Air Max Plus

Release Date: December 5
Price: $450
SKU: FZ4237-001, FZ9042-001
Two Air Max Plus variants take different approaches to color and the application of Swarovski crystals, with the black pair being exclusive to Foot Locker.

Nike Air Force 1 Low “Kobe”

Release Date: December 6
Price: $130
SKU: FZ1151-100
This Kobe Bryant tribute pays homage to a similar pair he wore during his brief period of sneaker free agency between Adidas and Nike.

Curry Fox 1 “Happy Fox Day”

Release Date: December 6
Price: $120
SKU: 3028807-419
A new era for Curry Brand and Under Armour begins with the Curry Fox 1, which makes Aaron Fox the first person not named Steph to get a Curry sneaker.

Puma MB.04 “Phoenix”

Release Date: December 6
Price: $125
SKU: 311308-01
LaMelo Ball’s signature basketball has never shown any shyness for color, but this edition of his fourth model still manages to stand out for its boldness.

Fear of God x Adidas Basketball 2 High and Mid “Night Brown”

Release Date: December 6
Price: TBD
SKU: JQ8482, JS0977
Fear of God’s second Adidas Basketball shoe is intended to hold up better on the court and has already been seen at the NBA level.

Air Jordan 5 “Reverse Metallic”

Release Date: December 7
Price: $200
SKU: DD0587-110
A new and clean Air Jordan 5 colorway that will quickly gain fans.

Nike Zoom GT Hustle 3 “Paige Bueckers”

Release Date: December 7
Price: $190
SKU: HJ7679-900
With the release of her PE, Paige Bueckers becomes the first college athlete to ever get a Nike release.

New Balance 1906 Loafer “Magnet”

Release Date: December 11
Price: $160
SKU: U1906LAF
New Balance’s third 1906 Loafer deviates from monochrome themes with a tough mix of brow, grey and blue.

Stash x Nike Air Force 1 Low, Air Max 95

Release Date: December 13
Price: $160, $200
SKU: HF5516-001, HF5515-400
Stash’s highly collectible Air Max 95 and Air Force 1 duo from 2006 makes its first-ever return, albeit with a few changes that include plays at better waterproofing.

Air Jordan 11 “Legend Blue”

Release Date: December 14
Price: $230
SKU: CT8012-104
Jordan Brand’s tradition of holiday Air Jordan 11 colorways now brings back the colorway Michael Jordan wore for the ’96 All-Star game and which also represents his University of North Carolina.

Adidas Anthony Edwards 1 Low “Christmas”

Release Date: December 14
Price: $110
SKU: JI4070
An shimmery blue treatment for Anthony Edward’s hit signature sneaker release could be one of two made for Christmas, with an even more colorful edition having leaked previously with the same SKU.

Bad Bunny x Adidas Adizero SL72

Release Date: December 15
Price: TBD
SKU: JP8816, JP8815, JQ8757
Adidas has tapped Bad Bunny to debut its modernized SL72, which features an Adizero sole unit for better comfort than you’d otherwise find on a more than 50-year-old sneaker.

Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low “Velvet Brown”

Release Date: December 21
Price: $150
SKU: DM7866-202
Travis Scott’s love of browns and the Air Jordan 1 Low collide on what could be the last blackbuster sneaker release of 2024.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

An Air Jordan paying homage to Michael Jordan’s Rookie of the Year-winning first season in the NBA is set to be released during spring 2025.

A first look at the new Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Rookie of the Year” sneaker was shared on Instagram by @flightacademy_kickz. The upcoming release is a low-top conversion of 2018’s Air Jordan 1 High release of the same name and features identical details including black accents and red “Nike Air” tongue branding. The “Sail/Black/Golden Harvest/Gym Red” style’s main color is a tan nubuck which makes up the overlays of the shoe and sits atop a white leather base. 

The “Golden Harvest” tan shade is culled from the outfit worn by Jordan during his Rookie of the Year acceptance speech in 1985, which appears below.

“I think my year was very, very experimental for me and I’m very happy that I achieved so much. Hopefully, next year will be more promising. If not, then maybe I’ll retire after two years,” Jordan joked during the speech. 

Much like the soon-to-be-rereleased “Shattered Backboard” Air Jordan 1s and the upcoming “Lucky Shorts” Air Jordan 3, the “Rookie of the Year” Air Jordan 1 Low is anchored by a rather obscure moment in the NBA legend’s history. Oftentimes, these unique instances of storytelling result in a coveted sneaker despite being rooted in less-significant context than, say, a “Playoffs” or “All-Star” colorway.

The Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Rookie of the Year” is priced at $140 and has a SKU of CZ0790-107. An exact release date has not yet been shared, but the pair is expected to arrive sometime in spring ’25. This story will be updated with more details once they are confirmed.

Jordan Brand’s Flight Club: The FN Cover Shoot

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Sneakerheads’ first chance to cop the Air Jordan 11 “Legend Blue” is about to come through Snapchat.

The highly anticipated sneaker will be available to purchase through the Snkrs app for Snapchat users who complete an augmented reality game. From now through November 29, users can tap a gamified lens to begin a series of four missions recreating the experience of waiting in line for sneakers.

Upon joining the line, talking to a fellow sneakerhead, retrieving a basketball and helping an old sneakerhead, players will then be given a link to the “Exclusive Access” page for the Air Jordan 11 “Legend Blue.” There, they’ll then confirm that the game has been completed to receive a notification on December 6 to purchase the sneakers a week before the general release.

“Snapchat is transforming how sneakerheads experience the culture of ‘drops’ with our innovative AR Lenses,” Snap Inc. Americas vice president Sharon Silverstein said in a press release. Jordan Brand’s gamified AR Lens brings a nostalgic twist to the AJ11 release, giving Snapchatters a unique way to connect with the brand and even earn early access—showcasing the power of AR in reaching highly passionate audiences.”

Also known as “Columbia Blue,” this original colorway for the Air Jordan 11 first released in 1996 and was worn by Michael Jordan at that year’s NBA All-Star Game. Its baby blue invokes his alma matter, the University of North Carolina, and his Tar Heels shorts that he’d wear beneath his uniform for the Chicago Bulls. Since ’96, the sneaker has only been released again in 2001 and 2014.

Ahead of the release, seven people in California were arrested Friday after police discovered a U-Haul truck containing $200,00 worth of stolen sneakers, all of which are believed to be the “Legend Blue” 11s.

The general release for the Air Jordan 11 “Legend Blue” is scheduled for December 13 through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $230.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

A fan-favorite colorway is appearing on the Air Jordan 1 Low this weekend, and the entire family will be able to get it on the action.

The Air Jordan 1 Low OG will release Saturday in a “Game Royal” colorway. The upcoming pair uses the same color scheme seen on 2018’s “Game Royal” Air Jordan 1 High but drops the ankle collar down to a low-top cut. The leather shoe is predominantly two-tone white and royal blue with black filling in the Swoosh, shoelaces and liner. 

It’s worth noting that this Air Jordan 1 Low bears the sneaker’s “OG” branding, which is differentiated by using a look and details closer to the original 1985 version. The tongue features classic “Nike Air” branding in place of the Jordan Brand Jumpman logo seen on non-OG variations, and many enthusiasts consider the OG iterations to be of higher quality.

Although this white-based “Game Royal” colorway is not an original release, it’s based on one. The black-based “Royal” Air Jordan 1 High was one of styles that was released during the model’s ’85 run and it has been a fan-favorite look in the decades since. Although Michael Jordan didn’t wear the colorway in an NBA game, he did lace them them during a promotional Nike photoshoot captured by photographer Chuck Kuhn.

Looking ahead, the Air Jordan 1 Low will continue to be a fixture of 2025’s releases with a new three-way collaboration between Travis Scott, Fragment Design and Jordan Brand in the works. 

The upcoming Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Game Royal” will be released Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. ET from Nike’s SNKRS platform and can also be found at select Jordan Brand retailers. Adult sizes retail for $140, big kids’ are priced at $120, little kids’ at $75 and toddler pairs at $65.

Celebrities Wearing Air Jordans Over the Years [Photos]

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Nigel Sylvester’s Air Jordan 4 RM collaboration was one of 2024’s most talked-about sneakers and after helping Jordan Brand introduce the RM version of the model, the BMX pro will reportedly receive his own Air Jordan 4 Retro in the new year.

Set for a March release, the upcoming Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 Retro “Bike Air” sneaker will come in a “Firewood Orange/Sail/Cinnabar” colorway. Although in-hand images are not currently available, leakers @zsneakerheadz and Sneaker Files provided a speculative mock-up of what the collaboration could look like based on its color description. The shoe is expected to feature a mostly orange design with off-white and red detailing, although it’s possible the retail version could differ considerably.

Like Sylvester’s Air Jordan 4 RMs, this Air Jordan 4 Retro is expected to feature “Bike Air” branding on the heel in place of the 1989 sneaker’s original “Nike Air” text. The biker’s Air Jordan 4 RM shoes redesigned the retro basketball shoe through the lens of an action sports shoe equipped for BMX riding. Key changes on the RM version of the sneaker included a lower ankle cut and material updates for added durability.

Following the Air Jordan 4 RM, another retro model is expected to receive the updated treatment in 2025 in the form of the Air Jordan 7 RM.

Sylvester has previously collaborated on the Air Jordan 1 Retro High sneaker, which was released in 2018 and featured a heavily pre-distressed design as if it had been put through the rigors of bike riding. 

The Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 Retro “Bike Air” has a SKU of HF4340-800 and is currently slated to be released on March 23. Retail pricing has not been announced, and it’s possible that the release date could change between now and then. This story will be updated with any developments including images of the collaboration.

Young Michael Jordan’s Red Carpet Style Over the Years

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One of the holiday season’s most anticipated sneaker drops was allegedly the target of a brazen theft in a remote California desert town.

The California Highway Patrol announced Friday that seven people had been arrested in Anaheim, California after police discovered over $200,000 worth of stolen Nike footwear in a U-Haul truck. According to reports, the shoes were stolen Thursday from a stopped train container located near the Mojave Desert before being transported nearly 200 miles south to Anaheim. But the CHP Border Division’s Cargo Theft Interdiction Program had been tracking the truck’s route and pulled them over Friday morning.

Inside, highway patrol found over $200,000 worth of stolen Nike Jordan sneakers, all of which are believed to be this holiday’s “Legend Blue” (aka “Columbia”) Air Jordan 11 Retro. Images shared by the CHP show a U-Haul stacked high with shipping boxes and their contents along with the tools police say were used to gain entry into the train container. 

All seven suspects, whose identities were not released, have been charged with felony grand theft of cargo and are being held at Orange County Jail pending trial. 

“The swift actions of our CTIP unit and patrol officers demonstrate CHP’s commitment to combating organized cargo theft and ensuring stolen goods are recovered,” said CHP Border Division Chief Tommie Cocroft.  

This isn’t the first time the Air Jordan 11 Retro has been a target of a large-scale holiday theft ahead of its launch. In December 2017, a pair of men walked into a Manhattan Nike store and left with 30 pairs of the Air Jordan 11 Retro “Win Like ’96” sneaker. 

The Air Jordan 11 Retro “Legend Blue” is set to be released Dec. 14 at a retail price of $230. Assuming each stolen shoe was in fact the “Legend Blue” Jordan 11, this would put the total number of recovered pairs at just shy of 900. 

The final slate of Air Jordans for 2024 is on its way — and, as always, Jordan Brand has saved a few treats for the holiday season.

The latest of Travis Scott’s many Air Jordan 1 lows will drop just days before Christmas, while the annual tradition of Air Jordan 11s for the holidays now turns to a colorway invoking Michael Jordan’s college career at North Carolina.

Before those releases, December will kick off with two different Air Jordans made as women’s exclusives, while an Air Jordan 5 in full family sizing will follow shortly after.

Below, Footwear News has gathered all the Air Jordan releases planned for September. This list will also be updated as any new information becomes available.

Air Jordan 12 “Phantom”

Release Date: December 2
Price: $200
SKU: FD9101-007
December kicks off with a women’s-exclusive Air Jordan 12 feature a few gold-tone metal accents.

Air Jordan 4 “Net”

Release Date: December 2
Price: $210
SKU: FN7251-107
The Air Jordan 4’s streak of transformations continues with its signature net window inspiring this new configuration for its upper in another women’s-exclusive.

Air Jordan 5 “Reverse Metallic”

Release Date: December 7
Price: $200
SKU: DD0587-110
Full family sizing will come for this flip on one of the Air Jordan 5’s original colorways from 1990.

Air Jordan 11 “Legend Blue”

Release Date: December 14
Price: $230
SKU: CT8012-104
Also known as “Columbia Blue,” this original Air Jordan 11 colorway from 1996 features Carolina Blue accents for Michael Jordan’s University of North Carolina.

Air Jordan 12 “Blueberry”

Release Date: December 18
Price: $210
SKU: CT8013-140
A very bold blue defines this brand-new colorway for the Air Jordan 12 done in the style of the original “Cherry” edition.

Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low “Velvet Brown”

Release Date: December 21
Price: $150
SKU: DM7866-202
Travis Scott’s beloved Air Jordan 1 Low gets a brown-heavy suede and leather treatment to cap off what’s been a massive year for the rapper.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Travis Scott and Jordan Brand finally seem to have settled on a name for his signature sneaker, and just in time for it to hit the Snkrs app in its newest colorway.

The Jordan CJ1 T-Rexx “Mocha” will get its wide release next week following a limited release at ComplexCon last weekend. The appearance of the shoe on Snkrs should finally settle the matter of what to call it, as the app previously referred to it as the Jumpman Jack before Scott’s own website called it the CJ1 T-Rexx.

Whatever you want to call it, Scott’s first signature shoe from Jordan Brand will come with a straightforward “Dark Mocha” and black look. The upper’s base appears in black canvas, while each of the suede overlays save for the black swoosh appears in the shade of brown Scott has favored heavily throughout his many Jordan and Nike collaborations. The Cactus Jack smiley logo is embroidered in black on the heel, and the black sole unit features “Jack” printed in white.

“Mocha” marks the third colorway for the CJ1 T-Rexx, which released in quick succession with “University Red” and “Sail” editions during the spring. This year has also seen the introduction of Scott’s signature shoe for Nike, the Zoom Field Jaxx, which so far has dropped in a lone “Sail” variant on a limited basis.

Before the end of the year, the Zoom Field Jaxx is expected to get a wider release in “Sail” as well as a new “Light Chocolate” treatment. Scott is also expected to get a “Velvet Brown” treatment for his favorite Air Jordan 1 Low just days before Christmas.

The CJ1 T-Rexx “Mocha” will release Tuesday, November 26, through the Snkrs app. Full family sizing will be available, with men’s priced at $200.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.