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Michael Jordan, Air Jordan sneakers
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- Episode 1225 -- Pictured: (l-r) Professional basketball player Michael Jordan arrives on September 16, 1997 -- (Photo by: Joseph Del Valle/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Ex Pro NBA Star Michael Jordan pose for Pictures at the 2000 Essence Awards held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images
405305 17: Michael Jordan and Marvin Hagler arrive at a cocktail reception May 13, 2002 at the Yacht Club of Monaco in Monte Carlo. Established by founding patrons, DaimlerChrysler and Richemont, the 3rd annual Laureus World Sports Awards will be held on May 14th. The awards will honor the achievements of the world's greatest sportsmen and women. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Laureus/Getty Images)
405359 29: Michael Jordan arrives May 14, 2002 at the Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Laureus/Getty Images)
19 Images

2025 is packed with high-profile Jordan Brand sneaker releases as Nike, Inc.’s Jordan Brand celebrates 40 years of the Air Jordan line. From the ongoing Air Jordan 1 “Banned” campaign to the expected introduction of the Air Jordan 40 model later this year, the brand has a wide cache of both retro and new styles on the way to keep fans engaged. With many of this year’s releases already known, information on sneakers reported to launch in 2026 is already making the rounds.

According to insider @brandon1an and Sneaker Market RO, the Air Jordan 6 “Infrared” is slated for a spring ’26 launch. Clad in a black nubuck leather upper, the sneaker features accents of Infrared, which was a brighter, more eye-catching shade of red than what was used on Michael Jordan’s previous Chicago Bulls-colored shoes. 

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Air Jordan 6 Retro ‘Infrared’ 2019 version (pair). Nike

Like its predecessor, the Air Jordan 5, the Air Jordan 6 featured visible Air cushioning, translucent rubber portions on its outsole and a plastic lace lock toggle. New to the model was a rubberized tongue with pull tabs for easy access, a heel tab inspired by spoilers found on sports cars. Inside, a stretchy Dynamic-Fit sleeve kept the foot in place, and similar technology would be used again on subsequent Air Jordans.

Five styles of the Air Jordan 6 were released during its original release from 1990 to 1991 including the black-and-Infrared style pictured here and “White/Infrared,” “Carmine,” “Off-White/New Maroon,” and “White/Sport Blue” colorways. As for the “Black/Infrared” Air Jordan 6 specifically, it has been reissued in 2000, 2010, 2014 and most recently, in 2019.

S.MagicMichael.#3.0129.LS/d. Lakers Earvin Johnson tries to move past Chicagos Bulls Michael Jordan during the NBA finals in 1991.
Mandatory Credit: Lori Shepler/The LA Times
Michael Jordan wears the Air Jordan 6 ‘Infrared’ during the 1991 NBA Finals while guarding Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson.Lori Shepler/The LA Times/Getty

While the Tinker Hatfield design is striking on its own, it was Jordan’s on-court performance in the Air Jordan 6 that made it iconic. While leading the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, the brand’s namesake athlete would lace up the “Black/Infrared” colorway for each game of the series. The Bulls would prove victorious, winning the Finals 4–1 and capturing Jordan’s first of six NBA championships. Jordan would also receive Finals MVP honors, averaging 31.2 points and 11.4 assists per game.

After seven years in the vault, the Air Jordan 6 Retro “Infrared” is set to return for its 35th anniversary. A March ’26 launch date is expected, but the details could change between now and then. This story will be updated with new developments. Images of the ’19 iteration appear below.

Air Jordan 6 Retro ‘Infrared’ 2019 version (lateral). Nike
Air Jordan 6 Retro ‘Infrared’ 2019 version (medial). Nike
Air Jordan 6 Retro ‘Infrared’ 2019 version (top). Nike
Air Jordan 6 Retro ‘Infrared’ 2019 version (heel). Nike
Air Jordan 6 Retro ‘Infrared’ 2019 version (on black). Nike
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