Nike’s dotswoosh division has confirmed an upcoming collaboration with Tekken, that includes the combating sport franchise’s iconic masked professional wrestler, King.
Nike’s dotswoosh Instagram account posted a (presumably AI-generated) video displaying King carrying an alternate model of his iconic Tekken 3 alternate outfit on November 9, 2026. The brief clip is sort of grainy and brought from afar, as if the viewer is spying on King as he takes a break from doling out Knee Crushers and Cobra Twists.
As identified by SneakerNews, King’s sweatsuit is a Nike Tech Fleece getup, and his kicks are an as-yet unseen variation of the Air Max 1s. The grainy, brief video exhibits that the footwear have a jaguar-print mudguard with navy blue, grey, and pink coloring, although another particulars are onerous to make out.
SneakerNews additionally confirmed that Nike is releasing two colorways for the Tekken Air Max 1; one in every of these is a variation of the Low Poly version that first launched in 2024, which the outlet assumes is what King is carrying in dotswoosh’s video. A second model is predicted to be revealed at a later date.
What’s extra, King’s Tech Fleece ensemble suggests {that a} Tekken-themed attire line might be on the way in which — however for now, we’ll simply have to attend for Nike’s official reveal.
Whereas this isn’t the primary time Tekken has partnered with Nike, it doesn’t make it any much less becoming. Tekken followers will know that Kazuya — the sequence’ protagonist-turned-antagonist — is a large sneakerhead. In actual fact, his interest was listed as “accumulating sneakers” within the official character booklet all the way in which again in Tekken 1. And in Tekken 8, he takes gamers on a short tour of his insanely huge shoe closet.
If we’re going by King’s sweatpants and T-Shirt outfit from Tekken 3, it could be type of a bummer if Nike didn’t make an official model of his footwear from the sport. The black-and-white high-tops weren’t primarily based on any real-life shoe on the time, although numerous merchandisers and clothes designers have made their very own variations of the sneaker through the years.
Tekken has been doing a little large collaborations recently, and one other one is on the horizon. Yujiro Hanma, a well-liked character from the Baki franchise, is making his method to Tekken 8 in early 2027, whereas Reina, an unique character from Tekken 8, is making her method to SNK’s Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.
For extra Tekken information, take a look at our interview with Tekken 8’s producer, the place we quizzed him on all issues Yujiro and the way the crew plans on placing the “world’s strongest man” in a scenario the place he can feasibly be overwhelmed.
Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s Information Editor. With ten years of expertise reporting on video games and leisure, she’s obtained a storied background within the combating sport neighborhood, influencer information, and viral on-line developments. Discover her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.