The Grateful Dead’s New Nike Collaboration Celebrates the Band’s History at Autzen Stadium
“Grateful Dead audience at Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon, August 22, 1993” by Dave O is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
A new collaboration will have sneakerheads dancing in the streets.
The Grateful Dead have partnered with Nike and the University of Oregon to introduce a new Air Max 90 sneaker, inspired by the band’s deep connection to the college, particularly their storied performance history at Autzen Stadium. The shoes are expected to launch in limited quantities on October 24, 2025.
The tri-branded collaboration is designed around Nike’s classic Air Max 90 style, featuring the Grateful Dead’s influence, presented through a tie-dye colorway below the brand’s classic swoosh, tinged yellow and green to reflect the team’s palette. In honor of the band, the kicks also feature classic examples of the jamband’s iconography, including a stealie design on the heel, and as an added nod, a dancing bear keychain-like accessory hanging off one side of the laces.
Previously, the Grateful Dead partnered with Nike in 2020 to offer a pair of SB Dunk Low sneakers, initially available in three neon colorways and featuring a shaggy fur finish. While that pair represented a general band’s featured project, the University of Oregon-inspired sneakers allude to the group’s exceptional history of performing at Autzen Stadium.
The Grateful Dead’s inaugural performance at Autzen Stadium occurred on June 25, 1978. In the late 80s, the band began playing at the outdoor venue, known for the commentator’s quip: “It never rains in Autzen Stadium,” including annual visits in ‘87 [with Bob Dylan] and ‘88. In 1990, the band performed a two-night run, and repeated the feat in ‘93, before their final visit, which took place over three nights from June 17-19, 1994.
Notably, the new collaboration will drop the day before the University of Oregon’s “Grateful Ducks” game against the Wisconsin Badgers, on October 25. The Autzen Stadium host game will be a tie-dye out. Learn more here.
