Jordan Brand is closing the first half of 2026 with its strongest month yet. May is stacked from start to finish — two major collaborations, long-awaited retros, holiday-themed pairs, and a World Cup nod all packed into a single calendar page. Here is every drop this month and what makes each one worth knowing.
The month opens with a GS exclusive and a banned legend
May kicks off on the 1st with the Air Jordan 4 GS ‘Infrared 23’ ($165) — a grade school exclusive built on a black upper with Barely Volt mesh and Infrared 23 accents. Adults are already paying close attention to this one.
May 2nd brings the Air Jordan 1 Low OG ‘Banned’ ($145), a low-top conversion of the iconic 2011 high-top colorway. The ‘X’ detail on the heel nods directly to the NBA’s early crackdown on Michael Jordan’s original sneakers — one of the most storied moments in sneaker history, now reimagined on a low silhouette for the first time. It retails at $145 and is one of the cleaner stories the brand has told in years.
Mother’s Day and a deep Father’s Day story
The Air Jordan 11 Low ‘Mother’s Day’ ($195) drops May 9th, featuring a White and Metallic Gold colorway with two pendants forming a heart and a special card tucked inside the box. It is a thoughtful release that goes beyond colorway alone.
On May 16th, the Air Jordan 3 OG ‘World’s Best Dad’ ($215) arrives with one of the most emotional backstories of any release this year. The design references MJ’s 1996 NBA Finals win on Father’s Day — three years after the loss of his father. The Sail upper replaces traditional elephant print with a textile replicating the Chicago Bulls locker room carpet from that unforgettable moment. University Red eyelets and a translucent red outsole referencing the ‘Bred’ AJ11 complete the build. Family sizing is available, making it one of the more personal drops of the entire year.
The Air Jordan 3 ‘Brazil’ ties into the World Cup
Also landing May 16th, the Air Jordan 3 ‘Brazil’ ($225) arrives as part of a partnership with the Brazilian Football Confederation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A Racer Blue upper, green eyelets, yellow midsole, and pink tongue pull directly from Brazil’s away kit, while classic elephant print overlays and Nike Air heel branding keep the silhouette’s DNA fully intact. Soccer culture and sneaker culture rarely collide this cleanly.
May 22nd is the biggest day on the calendar
Three major pairs land on the same date, making it the most competitive shopping window of the month.
Nigel Sylvester’s Air Jordan 4 ‘Brick After Brick’ ($230) is already drawing early Sneaker of the Year conversations. His second collab with the brand builds on a strong 2024 debut and arrives in a Sail and Cinnabar build that feels both refined and urgent.
Travis Scott’s Air Jordan 1 Low OG ‘Pink Pack’ ($155 each) finally arrives after nearly two years of delays. Both colorways — Muslin/Shy Pink and Sail/Tropical Pink — release the same day. The pink palette marks a clear departure from his usual earth-tone releases. Reversed Swooshes and heart embroidery on the tongue label keep the signature details intact.
The month closes with two heavy hitters
May 23rd delivers the Air Jordan 12 ‘Bloodline’ ($215) in Black/Varsity Red — a release that faced multiple delays before finally landing on the calendar. The same day brings the Air Jordan 1 High OG ‘Shop Jacket’ ($185) in a women’s exclusive Khaki/Sail colorway.
May 30th closes things out with the Air Jordan 4 ‘Toro Bravo’ ($220), the first retro of the bold red colorway in 13 years. It is a straightforward retro with no gimmicks — just one of the model’s best colorways returning exactly as it should.
Release dates remain subject to change as Nike confirms final launch details. Keep this page bookmarked and check back for updates as the month unfolds.
Source: Sneaker Bar Detroit
