Nike Air Griffey Max 1 “Varsity Royal” Retro Expected Spring 2026

When it comes to baseball, there’s only one sneaker that is universally renowned as a bonafide icon, and that’s The Kid’s Nike Air Griffey Max 1. Born in 1996, the silhouette seamlessly transitioned from the diamond to the street, and has been reissued as a lifestyle option multiple times since its debut. Its next retro is expected for a drop during the Spring 2026 season.

According to @KicksFinder on X, Ken Griffey Jr.'s signature model will return in its popular "Varsity Royal/White/Volt/Black" color scheme in the first-half of the new year. Last seen in 2021, the pair features a mid-cut trim, lockdown strap around the collar, and a mixed-materials upper. As with the design's original "Freshwater" look, the blue-and-green-accented style sits atop a robust Air Max setup.

Throughout the last few years, Nike Baseball has celebrated The Kid's legacy with a number of special products, although most have been one-off releases. The Swoosh conglomerate has also tapped the former Seattle Mariner for its Jackie Robinson Day celebrations, as Griffey Jr. led the charge of wearing the pioneering athlete's number (42) on April 15.

The last time the "Varsity Royal" Griffeys released was 2021. If the unconfirmed report of another reissue is true, it'll mark a short window in-between retros. Yet, it's important to point out that 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the Air Griffey Max 1, an occasion the Swoosh will surely want to celebrate in style.

Enjoy official photos of the last retro below; the impending reissue is expected to release via Nike.com with the same SKU as 2021's pair.

For more baseball-related news from the Swoosh institution, check out the MLB x Air Max 270 "City Connect" Collection.

Nike Air Griffey Max 1 “Varsity Royal”

Release Date: May 29th, 2021

Style Code: DJ5161-400
Colorway: Varsity Royal/White-Volt-Black
Price: $170

2016 Release //