Homecoming x Nike Air Max Plus Release Date IM4960-001 IM4960-800

With March’s Air Max Day in the rearview, one might assume that Nike’s projects with the likes of Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment Design and the University of Oregon’s Ducks of a Feather would go down as the Air Max franchise’s most coveted collaborations of 2026. However, the Beaverton, Ore.-based sportswear company has another drop on the way which may very well outclass each of the pairs we’ve already seen.

For its first collaboration with Lagos, Nigeria-based music festival and fashion label Homecoming, Nike handed the keys to the brand’s founder, Grace Ladoja, who makes history as the first African woman to design a shoe for the sportswear giant. Ladoja’s collaboration is rooted in her West African upbringing and comes in two colorways: a black Pan African flag-inspired look and an orange “African Sunrise” makeup. 

More than just meaningful color combinations, the Homecoming x Nike Air Max Plus sneakers are decked out in numerous details that connect back to Ladoja’s experience. Rather than the typical mesh found on the model, the Homecoming collaboration features a custom tight mesh build that’s inspired by African sponges, which Ladoja cites as a staple in Nigerian households. The toe boxes feature a dipped coating — a reference to West Africa’s history of indigo dying. 

The sneakers further come alive at the shoelaces, where they’re equipped with extra, non-functional sets of laces that Ladoja said is inspired by Nigeria’s flamboyant, over-the-top style. Several removable charms are included on the shoes including cowrie shells, eagles, a black globe and golden Africa pendants. 

Born in London to Nigerian parents, Ladoja’s collaboration nods to what she calls her “two homes” by using London’s beloved Air Max Plus silhouette and adding custom African elements. Ladoja founded Homecoming, which is also known as Our Homecoming, in 2018. The three-day festival takes place on Easter weekend and highlights local art, fashion, music, and sport.

Following a Homecoming-exclusive launch, the Homecoming x Nike Air Max Plus will be released April 23 in select regions on Nike’s Snkrs app for a retail price of $180. The collection’s Pan African colorway features a full colorway of Black/Court Green/University Red and its style code is IM4960-001, while the African Sunrise uses a Safety Orange/Bright Mandarin/Black color combination and has a style code of IM4960-800.