There was only one place that our 2025 adidas Originals 'Anniversary City Series' was going to conclude. Manchester.

A shoe originally created by @gary.aspden, @chetcutimike and @jaynalbach for the Commonwealth Games in 2002. For 2025, we wanted to honour that same thought process and original colour theory. It's a very special moment on a very special shoe.

Welcome to Manchester. A city carved half-red half-blue. Factory Records and Warehouse Projects. Stone-faced musicians and resilient worker bees. Where seemingly constant rainfall refuses to dampen the stalwart spirit of this Northern powerhouse.

Although not a founding member of the inaugural adidas Originals ‘City Series’ from the ‘70s and ‘80s, the adidas Originals ‘Manchester’ still holds just as much symbolism as all of the others that have come before it. However, the city itself would have to wait until after the turn of the millennium to come into existence in footwear form, when Manchester hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002 for the very first time; a monolithic milestone for the beloved North West region – in both regards – that has an organic affinity for all things 3-Stripes.

Highlighting colours representative of the city’s two major football teams, there were only 600 pairs made for the initial release, which mirrored the Handball Spezial blueprint. They were constructed from light blue leather uppers with contrast red accents and tonal suede T-toes. This original edition was one of the quickest turnarounds from concept to shelf that adidas ever did.

Flipping the colours from the very first pairs ever made back in 2002, our adidas Originals Manchester ‘Anniversary City Series’ – size? exclusive connotes the duality of the city through a sheeny red nylon upper construction with reflective 3M blue leather 3-Stripes and tonal suede T-toes. Underfoot, navy rubber outsoles provide agile grip, while ‘1/2025’ gold foil wordmarks are etched across the heels, hallmarking the rare event.