There are grails, as every sneakerhead is aware, and then there are holy sh*t grails. This list undoubtedly falls within the latter category. The demand for rare game-worn trainers and archival treasures is still growing, from long-forgotten Nike Air Ships to flawless Yeezy samples. These are the five priciest trainers ever sold at auction, so get your auction paddles ready.

1. The Dynasty Collection ($8 million)

This year, a record-breaking sale was achieved by the auction gavel. It should come as no surprise that another collection of Michael Jordan’s game-worn trainers has broken the record, with MJ’s six championship trainers fetching an incredible $8 million.

The six distinct Air Jordan sneakers—Air Jordan 6, Air Jordan 7, Air Jordan 8, Air Jordan 11, Air Jordan 12, and Air Jordan 14—collectively known as the “Dynasty Collection” were all worn during the decisive games of Jordan’s Chicago Bulls titles.

2. Game-Worn Air Jordan 13 ($2.2 million)

The game-worn Air Jordan 13 sold for an astounding $2.2 million at Sotheby’s in 2023, shattering the record for the most expensive shoe ever sold at auction. Michael Jordan scored 37 points as the Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz 93-88 in Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals. Jordan gave the shoes to a long-time Jazz ball boy who kept up the visitors’ locker area after the game. The Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, would capture their sixth NBA championship of the decade in the 1998 Finals.

3. Kanye West’s Grammy-Worn Nike Air Yeezy 1 ‘Prototype’ ($1.8 million)

Auction house Sotheby’s broke records when it received a winning bid of $1.8 million for Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy 1 “Prototype.” When the hammer dropped in April 2021, the huge amount immediately made it the most costly sneaker sale ever held in public. 

The specific shoe that revealed Nike’s potential Air Yeezy project to the larger sneaker community was the size 12 pair that Kanye wore during his performances of “Hey Mama” and “Stronger” at the 2008 Grammy Awards.

4. Game-Worn Nike Air Ships ($1.47 million)

In 2021, a pair of Nike Air Ships that Michael Jordan wore during his first season brought $1.472 million at Sotheby’s. The shoes were first worn on November 1, 1984, when Jordan played in his sixth NBA game as a member of the Chicago Bulls against the Denver Nuggets. It was the priciest trainer ever to be sold at auction at the time. Nick Fiorella, a sports trading card collector who previously paid $4.6 million for a Luca Doncic card—the fourth most expensive card ever sold—won the auction, according to a statement from Sotheby’s.

5. Game-Worn Air Jordan 12 ‘Flu-Game’ ($1.38 million)

It was among the several instances that shaped Michael Jordan’s enduring legend. In Game 5 of the 1997 Finals, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to victory while suffering from food illness. 38 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, were willingly scored by His Airness.

Jordan remarked, “It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I didn’t want to give up.” regardless of how ill, exhausted, or lacking in energy I felt. I felt obligated to go out and put in that additional effort for my team and the people of Chicago.

He was wearing varsity red and black Air Jordan 12s. Originally given as a gift to Utah Jazz ball boy Preston Truman, the signature sneakers are known in sneaker circles as ‘Flu Game 12s’.