The Air Jordan 11 “Gamma Blue” is bringing something back the sneaker world hasn’t felt in years: a true midnight launch. Foot Locker is reviving the old-school tradition with an in-person drop that feels straight out of the 2010s, pairing the shoe’s return with the kind of energy many collectors grew up on.

There are three late-night drops this Friday from 11PM to 1AM local time for the brand. The full experience — music, light snacks, curated energy, and a couple of tricks up its sleeve — will be happening simultaneously in New York, Chicago, and Downey, CA. The goal is to recapture some of that magic, and it should go without saying that fans attending the Gamma Blue 11s will be there by invitation only. Attendees will also be older, as guests will be required to be 18 or older. The whole thing is first-come, first-serve, of course, and seems like a direct nod to the mystique that Gamma Blue 11s are shrouded in.

The shoe itself returns with the familiar blackout upper, polished patent leather, and those sharp Gamma and Varsity Maize accents. Younger fans know the colorway through resale lore, but older collectors remember how quickly this pair vanished during its 2013 debut. Seeing it tied to a midnight launch almost feels poetic.

If you can’t make one of the three events, the Air Jordan 11 “Gamma Blue” will see a full global launch on December 13th via SNKRS, Foot Locker, and major retailers.

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