Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Garden": a tribute to 42 points and bloodied feet. Out 26 September at 09:00

Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Garden": a tribute to 42 points and bloodied feet. Out 26 September at 09:00

Jordan Brand is commemorating Michael Jordan's final game at Madison Square Garden in a Bulls uniform. The Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Last Dance at the Garden" arrives on 26 September at 09:00 priced at £144.99, with the date of the game and that night's stat line printed inside the tongue.

• Out 26 September at 09:00 on SNKRS and at select retailers

• £144.99 in the UK, €159.99 in the eurozone

• Style code IR0088-001, colourway Black/Varsity Red/Summit White

• Red floral pattern on jacquard textile in place of the traditional red leather

• The date 3/8/98 and the full stat line printed inside the tongue

• Special packaging with a quote from Jordan and a photo of the net at MSG

The story this shoe commemorates

Without it the project is just an attractive floral pattern, so it is worth knowing.

On 8 March 1998 the Chicago Bulls played the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, in the season that became known as the Last Dance. Jordan's current signature model at the time was the Air Jordan 13, but for that game he laced up the original Air Jordan 1 in "Chicago", a shoe already more than a decade old.

The outcome cut two ways. He scored 42 points, while the ageing construction took its toll: by half-time his feet were bleeding. He did not change footwear, because the game was going his way.

Jordan later confirmed in "The Last Dance" that Madison Square Garden was his favourite place to play. The shoe therefore commemorates not one thing but three: his final appearance in the building, the return to his first signature model, and the price he paid for it.

How it looks

The design keeps the colour blocking familiar from the "Chicago" pair but swaps the materials.

A full-grain white leather base across the toe box and side panels.

Jacquard textile overlays, carrying a red floral pattern over a black backdrop, in place of the traditional red leather. These are what reference the arena's nickname, "The Garden".

Black leather Swooshes with a metallic gold backing, matching the gold on the bottom three eyelets and the Wings logo on the heel.

Knicks accents in orange and blue on the tongue lace keeper. The insoles are pink, with Nike Air branding in blue and orange.

It is a rare case of a Jordan shoe carrying the opposing team's colours, and it is handled with restraint: the accents are small enough not to dominate the design.

The details that make the difference

This is the best part of the shoe, and the part invisible in profile shots.

The date 3/8/98 is printed inside the tongue of the right shoe. The left carries the stat line from that night: 42 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.

The packaging is special. It features a photograph of the net inside Madison Square Garden and a card carrying Jordan's post-game remark about how enjoyable it is to come back and play there, and how the shoes are part of that.

Worth noting a paradox of this release, too. Jordan never played in the low-top version of his first signature model, since it came later. A game played in the high-top is therefore commemorated on a silhouette he never actually wore on court.

Price and availability

£144.99 in the UK and €159.99 in the eurozone.

One discrepancy in US reporting is worth flagging: some outlets list $140, others $155, and one refers outright to a range between the two with no confirmation from the brand. European pricing, however, is settled.

Sales run through SNKRS and select retailers including JD Sports. The shoe arrives in full-family sizing.

Why now

Context that explains the timing.

The Knicks won the 2026 NBA Championship, and Jordan Brand has lined up a run of New York-facing releases. This model fits it twice over: it commemorates Jordan's performance at MSG while nodding to the building's home team through those orange and blue accents.

The 26 September launch therefore lands at a point when interest in the brand in New York is at its highest in years, which on a limited run matters for availability.

Where to buy

Beyond the SNKRS app, the retailers who handle Jordan Brand releases are worth watching. Buying through Soleback returns part of the order value:

• JD Sports

• BSTN

• END.

• size?

• Offspring

• Solebox

The click through Soleback has to be the last one before the shop, and cashback clears once the returns window closes.

Our promotions section is worth a look too.

How to improve your odds

Log into SNKRS the day before and save your payment details and address. On AJ1 releases, seconds count.

Decide your size in advance. With full-family sizing, the middle of the run goes fastest.

Watch several retailers at once. Allocation reaches shops at different moments, and JD Sports has already confirmed it is carrying the pair.

Be on the site a few minutes early, do not refresh needlessly, and do not close the tab if the page freezes.

FAQ

When is the release and at what time?

26 September 2026 at 09:00, on the SNKRS app and at select retailers.

How much does it cost?

£144.99 in the UK and €159.99 in the eurozone.

What is the style code?

IR0088-001, in the colourway Black/Varsity Red/Summit White.

What does this model commemorate?

The game of 8 March 1998, Jordan's final appearance at Madison Square Garden in a Bulls uniform, in which he scored 42 points wearing decade-old Air Jordan 1 "Chicago".

What is printed inside the tongue?

The date 3/8/98 on the right shoe, and on the left the stat line from the game: 42 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.

Why does a Jordan shoe carry Knicks colours?

Orange and blue reference the home team at Madison Square Garden. The accents are small, appearing on the tongue lace keeper and the insoles.

In summary

This is one of the better-told releases of recent months, because the history is executed in the materials rather than simply written into a press release. The date and stat line inside the tongue, the quote in the box, the photograph of the net.

The most interesting part is the moment chosen for commemoration. Jordan played that game in decade-old shoes and finished it with bleeding feet, and he did not change them. That is a story about stubbornness, not about footwear.

Out 26 September at 09:00. If a specific size is the target, get the account ready in advance.