Nike NFL Rivalries 2026: New Jerseys, Air Max 90s & Release Date

Are you ready for some football?

As August winds down, the NFL season is finally within arm's reach, and Nike is giving eight fan bases new Rivalries jerseys, Air Max 90s, hoodies, hats and helmets to wear when it arrives. The offseason has done its job. I'm ready for football to take over my weekends and primetime nights again.

I just covered the Disney x Champion NFL collection —which somehow ended with my daughters choosing Woody and Dallas Cowboys gear—and now NFL Rivalries is turning up the heat with designs inspired by the teams and cities of the AFC South and NFC North.

And this isn't an untested merchandise experiment. According to the affiliate merchandising brief provided by Fanatics, last year's NFL Rivalries debut with the AFC East and NFC West became the retailer's best-selling merchandise release ever. This year, the spotlight shifts to the Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Titans, Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings.

Key Facts at a Glance

Fanatics' brief says the collection launches Sept. 1 at 9 a.m. ET through Fanatics, NFL Shop, Nike, team stores and select retailers. The new uniforms will also remain in each team's rotation for three seasons, giving this collection more staying power than a one-game alternate.

NFL Rivalries Turns City Pride Into Game-Day Gear

Nike did more than change eight teams' colors. Each Rivalries identity pulls something from its city or franchise history.

Chicago's new look taps into the "Monsters of the Midway" with an orange alternate helmet, new orange pants and a darker jersey that makes the white and orange details pop. I'm obviously biased, but they got the execution right. It feels like the Bears without becoming corny.

Houston's "By The H" design brings chrome details inspired by the city's custom-car culture, graffiti-style numbers and H-Town Blue. Detroit goes concrete gray with carbon-fiber numbers as a nod to its automotive heritage, while Tennessee might have my favorite concept outside Chicago. Its "Music City" uniform uses Broadway-inspired numbers and guitar-string striping. I'm familiar with Tennessee cities including Nashville, Memphis and Sevierville, so that connection landed immediately for me.

That intentionality is what keeps Rivalries from feeling like another batch of alternate uniforms.

The Air Max 90s Complete the Rivalries Fits

The sneakers are where this collection really gets interesting for me.

According to the NFL Rivalries product list provided to Men's Journal, all eight teams get a Nike Air Max 90 priced at $139.99.

The Bears pair is No. 1 in my heart. Taking fandom out of the equation, though, Chicago probably ranks third for me behind Detroit and Tennessee. Detroit's colorway simply works as a fashion sneaker whether you care about the Lions or not.

Tennessee gives me even more options. I like its Air Max 90, but I could also take that Music City jersey and pair it with the Air Jordan 5 'Black Carolina' . Chicago is easier: Bears Rivalries gear, joggers and the matching Air Max 90 give me a complete game-day fit .

And if I'm spending $140 on an NFL sneaker, the Air Max 90 is a silhouette I trust. Tinker Hatfield designed the model that debuted in 1990, and decades later it still has comfort, durability and style down. I own Air Max 90s that are years old and still look close to fresh out of the box.

The sneakers elevate Rivalries because they speak to the entire fan experience from head to toe. Nike is taking some of the guesswork out of figuring out how to style your team's new look.

What NFL Rivalries Gear Is Worth Buying?

For me, it starts with sneakers, hoodies and hats.

The product list provided to Men's Journal has the Air Max 90s at $139.99, men's Nike Rivalries Game jerseys at $159.99 and Vapor Fuse Stitched Limited jerseys at $224.99. Nike hoodie options in the assortment range from $99.99 to $129.99, while New Era's Rivalries Sideline 59FIFTY is $58.99.

Those three categories—sneakers, hoodies and hats—can get and keep me right through football season and into colder weather without buying an entire Rivalries wardrobe. NFL-licensed apparel usually delivers for me when it comes to materials and detailing, so if I'm paying premium prices, that quality and craftsmanship have to be there.

Riddell takes things into serious collector territory. The Men's Journal product list has mini helmets starting at $39.99, while full-size replica and pro helmets climb into the hundreds. The premium SpeedFlex models run from $809.99 to $1,239.99, depending on the team.

Those interest me more than I expected. I could see their collector appeal growing over time—and a display helmet might be one of the many NFL-related purchases my wife actually approves of.

Bears-Packers on Christmas Takes Rivalries Up Another Level

Then there's Christmas.

The Bears and Packers are scheduled to wear their Rivalries uniforms when they meet on Christmas Day, giving one of football's most storied rivalries an even bigger stage. Fanatics specifically highlighted the Christmas matchup as one of the collection's major national windows. Netflix has also confirmed Bears-Packers as part of its 2026 NFL slate, giving the Rivalries jerseys a streaming audience to match the merchandise push.

My family is leaning into it too. We're doing a Christmas game-day grab bag with names in one bag and Rivalries teams in another, then matching everybody with a team for the holiday.

If I pull the Packers, I might cry .

But that's also what Nike gets right with NFL Rivalries: the look, the variety and the spirit of competition. Rivalries give us somebody to root for, somebody to root against and something to share. This collection extends that connection to people who might not watch every snap but still want to represent a team, a city or the family they watch with.

Football is almost here.

I'm ready.

Related: Nike Air Max 90 Chicago Bears: Blue and Orange Layers, White Swooshes, Soldier Field Salute — Release Date & Buy Guide

Related: Air Jordan 11 Low x APB 'Binary Blue': Glossy Patent Leather, Rust Pink Details, Street-Formal Style — Release Info & Where to Buy

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Aug 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Style section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.