Nike to Re-Release Kobe Bryant’s Exclusive 2006 Air Force 1 “Denim” in Summer 2026
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Nearly two decades after its original creation, Kobe Bryant’s exclusive Nike Air Force 1 “Denim” is set to hit retail shelves for the first time.
According to Footwear News, the sneaker, designed in 2006 specifically for the late Los Angeles Lakers legend, will finally be released to the public in the summer of 2026, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of its debut. While an official price has not yet been announced, anticipation among sneaker collectors and basketball fans is already running high.
The revival is part of Nike’s ongoing strategy to honor Bryant’s legacy both on and off the court. Earlier this year, the company marked the eighth anniversary of Bryant’s final NBA game, commonly celebrated as Mamba Day, with the release of three retro models: the Kobe 8 Protro Venice Beach, Kobe 6 Protro Italian Camo, and Kobe 4 Protro Philly.
Honoring the Black Mamba’s Legacy
Bryant’s impact continues to resonate more than five years after his passing. The five-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and 2008 league MVP spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, earning 18 All-Star selections and becoming the youngest player to reach 30,000 career points.
His retirement in 2016 was punctuated by an unforgettable 60-point performance in his final game.
The basketball icon tragically died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, at age 41, alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others. Since then, Nike and other brands have continued to celebrate his enduring influence through commemorative releases, campaigns, and tributes.
Beyond sneakers, Bryant’s story is also set to reach new audiences. Warner Bros. Pictures recently secured the rights to With the 8th Pick, a film script exploring the New Jersey Nets’ failed attempt to draft him during the 1996 NBA Draft—an event that altered the course of basketball history when Bryant instead became a lifelong Laker.
