UPDATE 1/16/26: The Air Jordan 1 “Royal” is now confirmed for a release later this year. Leaks say the drop is currently scheduled for October 10th, though dates are subject to change over the next few months.
Jordan Brand has managed to keep the Air Jordan 1’s original range of colors elusive, only releasing them in limited supplies or for special occasions. This week, a new pair of the 1985 “Royal” colorway has surfaced, reportedly releasing later in 2026.
Released in 1985, the Air Jordan 1 marked the beginning of Michael Jordan’s partnership with Nike and forever changed sneaker culture. Designed by Peter Moore, the high-top silhouette blended basketball performance with bold color blocking that defied NBA uniform rules. The shoe’s early controversy and Nike’s marketing around its “banned” narrative fueled massive demand. Since the ’80s, Nike has been very protective of the original styles for the Air Jordan 1, keeping their retro releases few and far between, as well as limiting supply so that the OG colors remain pieces of history.
This week, a new pair of a classic AJ1 color scheme has surfaced, rumored to be releasing late in 2026. After the original “Bred” colorway celebrated forty years of Jordan in 2025, it appears the “Royal” pair will get a release in ’26. The simple black and blue look is famous for the flight suit promo photos (seen above), and was last released in a ‘reimagined‘ format in 2023. The pair rumored for this year returns to the shoe’s original design, with a full leather construction complete with the OG 1985 hangtags.
AIR JORDAN 1 HIGH “ROYAL” 2026 RELEASE INFORMATION
Jordan Brand and Nike have not yet announced the next release of an original Air Jordan 1 High colorway, but this pair is currently expected to release during the 2026 holiday season. The classic “Royal” color scheme has already been obtained by Chase B, who just had his first Jordan collab via Travis Scott. Pairs will likely be available from both Nike and select retailers, no pricing information is available yet.
Air Jordan 1 High OG “Royal”
Color: Black/Royal-White
Style Code: IQ5495-005
Release Date: October 10th, 2026
Price: $185
Check out the early images below, and stay tuned to JustFreshKicks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more of the latest sneaker news, release dates, and restock alerts.
