Jordan Brand Honors Lucha Libre and Mexican Culture Through the El Vuelo Footwear Collection

Jordan Brand is reaffirming its longstanding connection to Latin American culture with the launch of its El Vuelo footwear collection, which honors the vibrant tradition of Lucha Libre and creates an authentic bond between sneaker enthusiasts and Mexican wrestling fans around the world.

The El Vuelo collection includes exclusive styles of the Air Jordan 3 Retro and Jordan Brand Spizike Low, both celebrating the iconic pastime of Lucha Libre through design details that pay tribute to the bravery, skill and transformation of luchadores — masked warriors who step into the ring to deliver powerful expressions of Mexican culture.

The collection is named for the spirit and strength of luchadores as they launch themselves into the air, mirroring Michael Jordan’s unforgettable moments of flight, where he seemed to defy gravity to achieve the impossible. The luchador mask further serves as an inspiration for both silhouettes, standing as a symbol of identity and transformation while capturing the essence of Lucha Libre and its significance to Mexican culture.

As the collection’s flagship model, the Air Jordan 3 Retro El Vuelo features a new expression of the silhouette’s iconic Elephant Print alongside unique details inspired by eagle wings and the geometric shapes that frame luchador masks.

Gold Jumpman accents pay homage to the boots worn by luchadores during Lucha Libre’s golden era of the 1950s and ’60s, while red and green touches on the sides, toe and heel reflect the colors of the Mexican flag. The tongue features the Spanish phrase “más vale maña que fuerza” — a nod to the wit and strategy celebrated by Lucha Libre fans.

The Spizike Low El Vuelo offers a symbolic, premium interpretation of the culture surrounding Lucha Libre, featuring a crackled texture that resembles rattlesnake skin, representing the fierce personas behind luchador masks. The design fuses Jordan Brand’s legacy with the rich tradition of Lucha Libre, delivering a bold statement of cultural pride and athletic excellence.

The packaging of both silhouettes plays a key role in the storytelling, including a design inspired by the vibrant Lucha Libre posters that adorn the streets of Mexico City. With bold colors and iconic phrases, the boxes pay tribute to luchadores’ cunning and charisma while showcasing Michael Jordan’s legendary jersey numbers, 23 and 45.

The El Vuelo collection is Jordan Brand’s latest effort to create connections with Latin American sneaker fans, building on previous collaborations that celebrate Mexican culture and traditions, such as the Air Jordan V El Grito, Jordan Chilango apparel collection and striking editions of the Air Jordan 1 in various Nike Día de Muertos collections.

Further exemplifying these efforts is the 2024 opening of Nike & Jordan World of Flight Mexico City, the first Jordan World of Flight experience in Latin America and NIKE, Inc.’s largest retail space in the region — a three-floor destination spanning more than 22,000 square feet on the iconic Calle Madero in downtown Mexico City.

After a limited initial release in Mexico, the El Vuelo collection will be available globally September 20 at jordan.com and select retail locations.