Adidas has launched a new Bob Marley collection celebrating the legendary musician’s passion for both music and football in a collaboration developed closely with The Bob Marley Foundation. The range is an eight piece apparel capsule that pays tribute to Bob Marley’s life, legacy, style and his deep connection to the sport of football. Fans of Marley, sport and streetwear culture have responded positively to the collection, which blends fashion, cultural heritage, and sport seamlessly in one release.
The adidas x Bob Marley collection was released on 6 February 2026, making it immediately available to consumers through adidas.com and selected retail stores. It is designed as an off pitch range that can be worn by fans and players alike, bridging athletic utility and lifestyle fashion. The launch marks a significant moment in adidas’ collaborations, as it brings together two cultural giants, a global sportswear leader and a musical icon whose influence has resonated worldwide for decades.
Design story and cultural inspiration
The new collection draws deeply from archival materials, historical garments, and imagery from Bob Marley’s life and tours. This level of authenticity was achieved through a close partnership with The Bob Marley Foundation, which provided access to treasured photographs, treasured clothing items, and personal references that informed the design process. The foundation’s involvement ensured that the collection remains faithful to Bob Marley’s legacy while resonating with contemporary audiences.
One of the most prominent themes woven into the collection is the phrase “Football is Freedom”, a mantra developed in collaboration with the foundation to represent Marley’s belief in the sport’s power to bring people together and inspire joy. This message speaks not only to football fans but also to the broader cultural significance of sport as a unifier and form of expression. It appears boldly on key pieces like the golden yellow jersey and full zip track jacket.
The collection’s visual identity also incorporates a wave motif, symbolically linking the rhythm of Marley’s music with movement and energy. Repeated across many items, this motif connects his musical spirit with a sense of flow and motion that feels at home both in sport and streetwear. Adidas Originals’ iconic trefoil logo appears alongside the word “Bob” in embroidered calligraphy, underscoring the collaboration’s cultural depth.
In terms of colourways, the collection uses tones that reflect Jamaica’s national identity and Marley’s Rastafarian heritage, such as emerald green, bold gold, and deep red. These colours are featured throughout the apparel, from jerseys and jackets to track pants and accessories, expressing both celebration and cultural pride.
Key pieces and range details
The eight piece collection encompasses apparel and accessories designed for fans of fashion, music and football. Standout items include:
Football freedom jersey
A striking golden yellow top inspired by Jamaica’s flag colours, featuring the signature wave motif and the “Football is Freedom” text across the chest, designed to feel both modern and symbolic of Marley’s spirit.
Full zip track jacket and track pants
These pieces blend classic athletic silhouettes with cultural aesthetics. The emerald green jacket features “Football is Freedom” text across the back, while purple track pants nod to historical styles worn by Marley himself during earlier tours.
Striped dress and T-shirt
Casual yet vibrant pieces that carry the signature Jamaican colours and wave motif, allowing the collection to be worn beyond sport settings for everyday lifestyle use.
Crew socks and bowler bag accessory
Small but meaningful additions that complete the range, with the adidas trefoil and Bob embroidery linking everything back to the central theme of music and freedom.
Gazelle and Handball Spezial Footwear
As part of the broader collaboration storytelling, special edition sneakers like the Gazelle Jamaica x Bob Marley and the Handball Spezial pair feature Bob Marley’s likeness, reggae colours and the “Football is Freedom” motif. These shoes extend the collection into the realm of footwear culture and fashion.
For many fans and collectors, the footwear capsules have been among the most anticipated elements of the broader adidas x Bob Marley initiative, with multiple silhouettes nodding to both football fans and lifestyle sneaker culture.
Legacy and meaning behind the collaboration
Bob Marley was not just a musical figure but a cultural symbol whose influence spanned far beyond reggae. He was often seen wearing adidas apparel and sneakers throughout his life, making this partnership feel authentic rather than purely commercial. His love of football was legendary, and the match between sport and music encapsulated in the collection underscores a shared belief in unity, freedom, and cultural expression through physical movement and community engagement.
Sam Handy, General Manager at adidas Football, described working with The Bob Marley Foundation as a privilege that allowed the brand to tap into deep cultural narratives and personal stories. The foundation emphasised that the collaboration represents unity, inspiration and the enduring spirit of Bob Marley on the global stage.
More than just apparel, the Bob Marley collection celebrates a philosophy of life that Marley championed, connection through music and sport. The mantra “Football is Freedom” encapsulates this mindset, promoting the idea that sport can transcend boundaries, inspire collective joy, and connect people across cultures.
Since its release, the adidas x Bob Marley range has resonated with fans worldwide, illustrating how collaborations between sport, music and culture can honour an iconic legacy while creating fresh, expressive fashion. The collection stands as a testament to Marley’s enduring influence and adidas’ commitment to storytelling and cultural celebration in design.