SWOOSHMAN ENTERS FORTNITE WITH NIKE GT FUTURE TEASER — Quick Facts
Nike is bringing back its defunct 1990s Swooshman mascot through a Fortnite collaboration launching February 13, 2026, featuring the character as a Fishstick variant skin priced at 1,500-1,800 V-Bucks. This digital debut serves as marketing for the upcoming Nike GT Future 'Swooshman' sneaker releasing Spring 2026 for $190, using Fortnite's 110-120 million monthly active users as a focus group before the physical product launch.
Key Data Points
- Nike's original Swooshman costume cost $125,000 to produce in 1996 and was designed by Jose Fernandez, known for Batman Forever costumes
- The Swooshman mascot lasted only one year before being discontinued in 1997 due to the Asian financial crisis
- Fortnite currently has 110-120 million monthly active users as of February 2026, providing Nike with a massive testing audience
- The Nike GT Future 'Swooshman' sneaker will retail for $190 when it launches in Spring 2026
- The Fortnite collaboration launches February 13, 2026 at 7PM ET with an estimated price of 1,500-1,800 V-Bucks
Frequently Asked
- When does the Swooshman Fortnite skin release?
- The Nike Swooshman Fishstick variant skin launches in Fortnite's Item Shop on February 13, 2026 at 7PM ET, with an estimated price of 1,500-1,800 V-Bucks based on similar collaboration skins.
- What was Nike's Swooshman mascot?
- Swooshman was Nike's short-lived superhero mascot that debuted in 1996 at a Tokyo event. The costume cost $125,000 to produce and was designed by Jose Fernandez, who worked on Batman Forever costumes, but the character was discontinued in 1997 during the Asian financial crisis.
- How much will the Nike GT Future Swooshman sneaker cost?
- The Nike GT Future 'Swooshman' sneaker is set to release in Spring 2026 with a retail price of $190, featuring a metallic silver, red, and black colorway that mirrors the original mascot's design.
- Why is Nike using Fortnite for this collaboration?
- Nike is leveraging Fortnite's massive audience of 110-120 million monthly active users as a testing ground for the Swooshman concept before committing to full sneaker production, essentially using the game as a digital focus group.