Exclusive: Nike Premier 3 to Become "Nike's Copa Mundial"
- Nike Premier 3 Future: Nike will continue the Premier 3 line through 2026, but will only offer it in the standard black and white colorway, similar to the Adidas Copa Mundial.
- Premier 4 Cancellation: Nike's plans to release the next-generation Premier 4, which was intended to replace kangaroo leather with a synthetic upper, have been canceled.
- Tiempo Ligera as Successor: Nike's Tiempo Ligera, featuring Techleather, will receive various colorways and serve as the modern, synthetic alternative to traditional leather boots.
In late 2025, Nike launched the all-new Tiempo, featuring a heavily marketed second-tier Ligera version. With it, we got several questions about what would happen with the Nike Premier 3 soccer cleats.
Nike Premier 3 to Continue in Black & White Base Colorway Only
This is it only Premier 3 soccer boots colorway you will be able to get in the long term.
The good news for everyone is that Nike has decided to keep the Premier 3 in its lineup through 2026, but with a significant catch for colorway collectors and players who prefer options.
The Premier 3 will not receive any new colorways in 2026. Instead, Nike will only offer the standard black and white colorway. This means that from 2026, the iconic K-leather boot will adopt a Copa Mundial-style approach: available only in the standard black and white colorway. No new colorways, except on special occasions.
Indeed, Nike's original plan was to phase out the Premier 3 entirely and ultimately end the leather era in 2024. The Premier 4 was set for a late 2024 release, but has been"canceled". Both the basic black/white launch version and the special Ronaldinho edition of the Premier 4 were scrapped, effectively ending Nike's next-generation Premier project before it launched. The Premier 4 was set to replace kangaroo leather with a synthetic upper, making the Premier 3 the final K-leather option in Nike's range.
Nike Premier 3 Colorways - No More New Editions From 2026
With the arrival of the Tiempo Ligera featuring Techleather (a premium synthetic that mimics leather without its drawbacks), Nike appears to have found its modern classic leather alternative. The Ligera uses Techleather for a close-to-ball touch and consistent performance in extreme conditions, positioning it as the spiritual successor to traditional leather boots.
The Nike Ligera will receive various colorways, including some exclusive to the second-tier boot. It is basically what the Premier 3 received until now.
For players who prefer the real thing, the Premier 3 is the last resort for leather fans who want to wear Nike. It's the adidas Copa Mundial playbook - timeless, reliable, and unchanged.
Do you think the K-leather Premier 3 will remain in Nike's lineup forever, as the Copa Mundial? Let us know in the comments below.
