First Look At The 2026 Air Jordan 11 'Space Jam'

One of the most celebrated sneakers of all time is making its return. Jordan Brand is bringing back the legendary Air Jordan 11 'Space Jam' for Holiday 2026, and early images suggest the upcoming retro stays remarkably faithful to the version fans have loved for decades.

The signature design remains intact. Black ballistic mesh covers the upper, while glossy patent leather wraps the mudguard. White midsoles provide contrast, icy translucent outsoles complete the look, and Varsity Royal Jumpman branding delivers the familiar finishing touch that has defined the colorway since its debut.

Additional heritage details also return, including the embroidered "23" on each heel and the iconic "JUMPMAN JAM" lettering running across the tongue tabs. Early photos indicate Jordan Brand has retained the updated shape introduced on the acclaimed 2016 retro, which more closely mirrored Michael Jordan's original player-exclusive pair.

Few sneakers carry a legacy quite like the 'Space Jam.' Jordan first wore the black-and-blue Air Jordan 11 during the 1995 NBA Playoffs before the shoe achieved worldwide fame the following year through the blockbuster film Space Jam. Starring alongside Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes, the sneaker instantly became one of the most recognizable basketball shoes ever created.

Its influence only grew with each release. The original retail launch arrived in 2000, but it was the 2009 retro that helped define modern sneaker culture. Overnight campouts, packed shopping malls, and record-breaking demand transformed the release into one of the earliest examples of today's launch-day phenomenon.

Jordan Brand raised the bar again in 2016 by updating the silhouette with a higher patent leather cut and more accurate proportions based on Jordan's game-worn pair. The release became one of the company's largest footwear launches ever, proving the "Space Jam" remained just as coveted decades after its debut.

The celebration doesn't end there. Jordan Brand is also expected to release a new 'Space Jam Galaxy' colorway during the anniversary year, expanding the iconic theme while preserving the original sneaker that started it all.

More than 30 years after its first appearance on the court, the Air Jordan 11 'Space Jam' remains one of the defining sneakers in basketball and pop culture history. The Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam" releases on December 12, 2026, for $255 USD in full-family sizing.