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The Air Jordan 1 High OG “Royal” is making its return in 2026, bringing back one of the original Air Jordan 1 colorways in a notable departure from Jordan Brand’s recent approach to its OG releases.
First introduced in 1985, the “Royal” colorway has long stood alongside the “Chicago” and “Bred” as one of the most recognizable Air Jordan 1 color schemes. The combination of black and royal blue offered an alternative to the red-heavy colorways associated with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, helping establish the Royal AJ1 as a classic in its own right.
For 2026, the “Royal” is returning in the Air Jordan 1 High OG cut. This marks the first time an original 1985 Air Jordan 1 colorway has released in the High OG construction since the introduction of the High 85 cut in the 2020 “New Beginnings” Pack. Jordan Brand has used the High 85 model for every original-colorway retro this decade, including the 2021 “Neutral Grey,” 2024 “Metallic Burgundy,” and 2025 “Bred.”
That made the 2026 “Royal” an expected candidate for another High 85 release, but Jordan Brand is instead bringing the colorway back in the standard High OG construction.
The return also comes with special packaging that pays tribute to one of the most famous images associated with the original Royal AJ1. Both the box and wrapping paper feature Chuck Kuhn’s 1985 photograph of Michael Jordan wearing the Royal colorway on an airport runway, an image that would become known as “Flight Guy.”
The 2026 release also marks the first return of the Royal colorway since 2017. Unlike that release, which featured tumbled leather, the upcoming version uses smooth leather throughout. A suede-based “Reimagined” version also released in 2023.
The Air Jordan 1 High OG “Royal” is set to release on October 10th via SNKRS and select retailers in full family sizing. Check out the official images below and stay tuned to Modern Notoriety for more.
Air Jordan 1 High OG “Royal”
Color: Black/Royal-White
Style Code: IQ5495-005
Release Date: October 10, 2026
Price: $185 USD
