The drop at a glance
| Release date | October 1, 2026 |
| Retail price | $165 |
| Style code | IX8478-410 |
| Colorway | Midnight Navy / Sail / University Red (Bison home colors) |
| Where | SNKRS + select Jordan retailers |
The story
Howard University made history in 2022 as the first HBCU to sign a full Jordan Brand partnership — a 20-year deal, with the first Jumpman uniforms debuting on August 27, 2022 — and the school's Bison colors have since become a recurring retail storyline. The first Howard AJ1 Low in 2024 — a white 'away' pair — moved quickly and cemented demand for a home-colors sequel.
The 2026 edition flips to Midnight Navy with a Sail Swoosh and midsole plus red outsole accents, opening Jordan Brand's holiday quarter. HBCU-tied Jordans carry cultural weight beyond the usual retro cycle, pulling in alumni and collegiate collectors alongside sneakerheads.
Expect brick-and-mortar sellouts in Bison country and modest but steady resale premiums — this is a story shoe more than a flip shoe.
The deep cuts
- The first publicly sold Howard Air Jordan — the AJ1 Low OG 'Howard University' (HQ2993-100) — released October 12, 2024 at $140, the first HBCU x Jordan Brand sneaker ever available at retail.
- The 2026 Midnight Navy pair is only the second Howard-branded AJ1 Low ever made available to the public.
- Howard's deal with Jordan Brand runs 20 years — one of the longest school partnerships the brand has ever signed.
- In July 2026, Jordan Brand revealed Howard-exclusive Air Jordan 11 PE football cleats, pushing the partnership beyond retail sneakers.
How to cop
- Launch draw — enter the minute it opens; the raffle button above takes you there.
- Retailer raffles — the big accounts open entries in the days before the drop.
- Miss it? The buy links on this page route to the marketplaces we trust.
Dates move — the Drop Report updates as brands confirm. Answer this drop's culture question in The Feed to build your Culture IQ.
