Nike 2020 Innovations Launch Recap - Amazing Skateboarding Jerseys, Controversial Running Shoes & Non-Template Football Kits
Feb 9, 2020, by Chris
On Wednesday, February 5 2020, Nike showcased its biggest innovations of 2020, ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It was the biggest launch by Nike since more than four years, when Nike presented its most innovative products for the 2016 Rio Olympics. We take a look at the biggest Nike 2020 Innovations, including four futuristic looking running shoes, awesome skateboarding jerseys as well as non-template, nevertheless cutting-edge Nike soccer kits (finally).
Nike 2020 Innovations
The Nike 2020 Innovations were made in advance of and for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The new footwear is designed to provide runners with a measurable performance benefit for a new era of competition. The NEXT% platform, introduced by barrier-breaking marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, will now expand into new disciplines following its unparalleled success in distance running.
Along the innovative footwear products, Nike also released progressive new collections featuring sustainable materials for all athletes. "Nike’s sustainable innovations signal the brand’s commitment to helping protect the future of the planet – and, consequently, the future of sport". Highlights include thiet most sustainably designed medal stand uniform in Team USA history, footwear built predominantly from recycled waste and lifestyle apparel that embraces the goal of a zero-carbon future.
“At Nike, we see sport’s greatest stage as our biggest opportunity to show the world what’s possible,” said NIKE, Inc. President and CEO John Donahoe. “After all, what’s at stake isn’t just records, but the future of sport itself. In Tokyo, we’ll help the world’s best reach new levels of performance with our revolutionary platform, while sharing real solutions for the barriers all athletes face under rapidly changing climate conditions.”
Nike Football 2020 Kits: Art + Science:
With the Football 2020 Kits, Nike says goodbye to standard templates, collars and boring patterns.
Nike Air Zoom Mercurial:
The Nike Air Zoom Mercurial, "a concept football boot", is Nike's first-ever soccer cleat with a Nike Flyprint upper. Flyprint is Nike’s first 3D-printed textile upper.
Nike Air Zoom Viperfly:
The Nike Air Zoom Viperfly is designed specifically for the 100 meter, the truest test of pure human speed. The spike incorporates an innovative new carbon plate — produced by a new process, Custom Fiber Placement (CFP), which allows for varying flexibility within the plate — and an unmistakable forefoot Nike Air Zoom unit.
Nike Air Zoom Victory:
The Nike Air Zoom Victory is designed for 800 meter to 10k races. The shoe is a complete paradigm shift in distance track spike design. Inspired by the Nike Alphafly NEXT%, the spike is built with a combination of Nike ZoomX foam, carbon fiber plate and Nike Air Zoom.
Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%:
Call it the ultimate test run: when Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour marathon barrier in Vienna this past October, he was wearing a prototype of the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%. In Summer 2020, Nike’s newest race-day shoe makes its official debut with two new Nike Air Zoom pods, additional foam, an updated carbon fiber plate and an ultra-breathable upper – all adding up to improved cushioning and running economy.
Nike Air Zoom BB NXT:
Nike Basketball's new Air Zoom BB NXT is engineered to be as light and responsive as possible. With a new Nike Air Zoom pod system, exposed Nike React foam and a thin plate positioned above the foam, the shoe provides athletes with lightweight strength, optimized impact protection and outstanding energy return.
Nike SB Skateboarding Kits + Other Federation Uniforms:
For skateboarding’s debut on this summer’s global stage, Nike SB will introduce kits on the forefront of sustainable design. Athletes representing Team USA, France and Brazil will compete in uniforms designed with 100% recycled polyester, pattern efficiency for minimal waste and bright, bold styling (crafted in collaboration with Dutch artist Parra) to celebrate each nation’s unique sport culture.
Space Hippie:
In addition to product developed for athletes participating in the Tokyo 2020 Games, Nike will launch this spring an exploratory footwear collection that redefines what’s possible with sustainable product design. Space Hippie is constructed by transforming scrap material from factory floors – what Nike’s design teams have called “space junk” – into a radical expression of circular design. Every detail of the Space Hippie capsule collection, from material choices to methods of make to packaging, was chosen with consideration for its environmental impact, adding up to Nike’s lowest carbon footprint footwear.
Team USA Medal Stand Collection:
This summer, Team USA will prove the power of sustainability during medal ceremonies. In Tokyo, U.S. medalists will take the podium in iconic Windrunner jackets reengineered with 100% recycled polyester, pants featuring 100% recycled nylon and recycled-rubber Nike Grind trim and the Nike Air VaporMax 2020, constructed with recycled manufacturing material and precision-knit uppers for minimal waste.
All the products showcased at the Nike 2020 Innovations summit will go on sale in Spring 2020.
What do you think of Nike's innovations for 2020? Which product do you like most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Nottingham Forest Announce Marex Front-of-Shirt Sponsorship Deal
Nottingham Forest have officially announced a multi-year Principal Partnership with global financial services platform Marex. Starting with the 26-27 season, Marex will serve as the club's new front-of-shirt sponsor, replacing gambling brand Bally's. The agreement is reported to be worth approximately £25 million over a three-year period.
The clean Marex wordmark and arrow logo will be featured across the front of the Nottingham Forest men's and women's first-team playing and replica kits, as well as the club's netball team dresses. In addition to primary kit placement, Marex will become Forest's official Global Markets Partner and exclusive provider of foreign exchange and financial services.
The announcement resolves Forest's search for a principal partner just ahead of the new Premier League campaign, following a pre-season without a front-of-shirt sponsor. The transition also aligns with the Premier League's upcoming voluntary ban on gambling companies occupying front-of-shirt sponsorship inventory.
Kyoto Sanga 26-27 AFC Champions League Elite Home Kit Released
J1 League side Kyoto Sanga have officially revealed their new home kit for the 26-27 AFC Champions League Elite season, made by Puma.
Compared to the domestic home kit, this new design features a colder shade of purple, decorated with a half-tone diamond pattern across the base. The strip uses a simple template from Puma, pairing the purple jersey with black shorts and purple shorts.
What do you think of the Kyoto Sanga 26-27 ACLE home kit by Puma? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Port FC 26-27 Third Kit Released
Thai League 1 club Port FC have officially unveiled their new 2026-27 third kit. Made by Japanese brand Mizuno, the new shirt completes the club's kit lineup for the upcoming campaign.
The Mizuno Port FC 2026-27 third shirt features a black and white base with a bold halftone dot gradient across the front and back. Solid black sleeves frame the design, while segmented black and white detailing appears on the V-neck collar and sleeve cuffs. The club crest, Mizuno logo and sponsor branding complete the look.
What do you think of the new Port FC 2026-27 third kit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Limited-Edition Dundalk FC 100-Year Centenary Kit Released
Dundalk FC and Macron have officially launched a special limited-edition centenary jersey to celebrate 100 years of the club's membership in the League of Ireland (1926–2026). Designed by Killian Walsh and Sean Cotter, the one-off kit pays tribute to a century of history with a refined retro aesthetic.
The shirt arrives in a clean long-sleeve cut, featuring a white base detailed with subtle dark pinstripes and finished with a classic black polo collar and matching cuffs. A standout feature is the bespoke centenary crest on the left chest, which draws inspiration from historical club emblems with a modern take on Dundalk's traditional martlet birds. To maintain the vintage look, the Macron Hero and sponsor branding appear in tonal and subtle treatments across the chest.
The Dundalk FC Centenary shirt is available in limited quantities through the club's official online store and at the Oriel Park club shop in both adult and kids' sizes.
OFI Crete 26-27 Home Kit Released
Greek Super League side OFI Crete and Puma have officially unveiled the club's new home kit for the 2026-27 season. Completing the club's full wardrobe for the campaign following the earlier releases of their away, third, and fourth strips, the new design delivers a bold and classic look.
The Puma OFI Crete 26-27 home shirt is predominantly black, highlighted by a prominent white chevron across the upper chest. The sharp V-shaped graphic is framed with subtle grey bordering. Sitting cleanly within the white block are a black Puma cat logo on the right side and the club's circular crest on the left, which is topped with two commemorative stars.
White Betsson sponsor lettering runs across the front directly beneath the chevron. The kit is built on Puma dryCELL moisture-wicking technology and is complemented by matching black shorts and socks to round off the on-pitch look.
Juventus Announce Yokohama Tyres Partnership
Juventus and Japanese tyre manufacturer Yokohama Tyres have officially agreed on a new multi-year partnership, with Yokohama becoming an Official Partner of the Bianconeri. The deal forms a key part of the Japanese company's broader strategy to accelerate its brand awareness and expansion across Europe.
As part of the agreement, Yokohama will receive prominent exposure at the Allianz Stadium during Juventus home matches, including pitch-side LED screen advertising, in-stadium branding, and hospitality access. The partnership will also encompass integrated digital activations and fan engagement initiatives across Juventus' global social media ecosystem.
Football kit enthusiasts will best remember Yokohama Tyres as Chelsea's primary front-of-shirt sponsor from 2015 to 2020 (15-20). While the new agreement with Juventus is an official club partnership rather than a kit sponsorship, it marks a significant return for the brand into elite European football.
Cape Town City 26-27 Home Kit Draws Striking Boca Juniors Comparisons
South African club Cape Town City and Umbro have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 26-27 season to mark ten years of club heritage. Shortly after the launch, shirt enthusiasts quickly pointed out the undeniable resemblance to another high-profile release from earlier this month: Boca Juniors' 26-27 home kit.
Both jerseys rely on the exact same core aesthetic, combining a rich blue base with a prominent, wide yellow horizontal band across the chest. While Adidas crafted Boca's traditional look with yellow three stripes on the shoulders and a classic collar, Umbro opted for distinct yellow shoulder paneling and collar trims for Cape Town City. Both shirts also feature dark blue central sponsor branding running right across the yellow chest stripe.
While blue and yellow are integral to Cape Town City's visual identity, adopting the iconic chest band format gives the South African side an uncanny resemblance to the Argentine giants. Intentional homage or pure coincidence, the design delivers a bold and memorable aesthetic for the upcoming campaign.
Cape Town City 26-27 Home Kit Released
South African Premier Soccer League side Cape Town City FC have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 2026-27 season. Manufactured by Umbro, the strip marks a milestone moment for the club under the campaign tagline "Built on ten years of heritage. Still unmistakably City."
The Umbro Cape Town City 26-27 home shirt features the club's signature royal blue base complemented by a bold yellow chest band, evoking a classic football aesthetic. Yellow detailing also frames the collar and neckline inserts, while subtle textural striping runs horizontally across the body. The Umbro logo, club crest, and main sponsor SportPesa are integrated cleanly across the chest in matching yellow and blue tones.
Matching blue shorts and socks are expected to complete the full 2026-27 home look for the Citizens.
Adidas Unveils All Major 26-27 Club Home Kits in Epic Group Shot
Adidas has officially kicked off the new campaign by uniting its global roster of partner clubs in a massive group photo celebrating their 26-27 home kits. Shared across the brand's social channels with the tagline "we are so back – new season, new chaos, same love for the game," the promotional shoot gathers standout players from European heavyweights and top American clubs against a bold pink studio backdrop.
The star-studded visual highlights key brand ambassadors including Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Declan Rice (Arsenal), and Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) seated at the front alongside Bayern Munich. They are joined by players representing Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus, and Newcastle United, as well as European and South American powerhouses such as AS Roma, Aston Villa, Ajax, Benfica, Lyon, Fenerbahce, Flamengo, Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Club América.
Featuring a mix of traditional colorways, bespoke patterns, and the brand's latest 2026-27 design templates, the united showcase underlines the German sportswear giant's extensive elite portfolio heading into the new season. All of the 26-27 home jerseys featured in the campaign are now rolling out through official Adidas channels and club retail stores worldwide.