First Look At The Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Royal” 2026

July 21, 2026

Following confirmation of an October 2026 release date, the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Royal” has surfaced for the first time through official retailer images.

Jordan Brand’s recent release strategy suggested that every original Air Jordan 1 colorway would return on the ’85 cut moving forward, the true “OG” silhouette if we’re being technical about it. That belief was strengthened by Jordan Brand’s own display of ’85 samples inside the Michael Jordan Building at its World Headquarters, a 40th anniversary installation also thought to be something of a preview. As it turns out, that won’t necessarily be the case.

We reported earlier this year that the “Royal” colorway, last released in 2017, would return on the standard High OG shape rather than the ’85 build. Official retailer images now provide our first clear look at what to expect this October.

Judging materials from photos alone is always a fool’s errand, but the 2026 edition appears to feature slightly thicker leather and a more pronounced tumbled finish across the Varsity Royal panels compared to the 2017 release. The blue may also be a touch lighter than on previous versions, though that remains difficult to determine from a single image set.

The Air Jordan 1 is no longer the surefire sellout it was a few years ago, but it remains one of Jordan Brand’s most popular retro models and still commands a massive following. Given the significance of the “Royal” colorway, interest should be substantial. Whether pairs disappear quickly or remain on shelves will likely come down to how many Jordan Brand chooses to produce.

The Air Jordan 1 High OG “Royal” releases October 10th, 2026, through Nike SNKRS and select retailers. Scroll through the full gallery below for a closer look at the upcoming edition.