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Nike vs Adidas

Which brand is better?

The world decides.

Beaverton, Oregon

Nike

Herzogenaurach, Germany

Adidas

About the debate

Adi Dassler registered Adidas in the Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach in 1949; in Oregon, Phil Knight and his running coach Bill Bowerman started Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 and renamed it Nike in 1971. Nike is the bigger company, with revenue of $46.4 billion in the year to 31 May 2026 against Adidas’s record €24.8 billion in 2025, but Adidas had the better summer, kitting out both teams in the 2026 World Cup final.

Nike has the Swoosh, Air Jordan and “Just Do It”; Adidas has the Three Stripes, the World Cup ball and the shirts of the new world champions, Spain. Now the world votes.

Major honours
NikeHonourAdidas
Founded
1964 (as Blue Ribbon Sports)1949
Headquarters
Beaverton, OregonHerzogenaurach, Germany
Revenue, latest full year
$46.4bn (year to 31 May 2026)€24.8bn (2025)
Employees
c. 73,000 (May 2026)64,938 (Dec 2025)
Teams kitted at the 2026 World Cup
1214, incl. both finalists

As of October 2026.

The case for Nike

  • Nike is the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, with revenue of $46.4 billion in its financial year to 31 May 2026.
  • Nike signed Michael Jordan in 1984, and the Jordan Brand built around him sold $7.0 billion of products in the year to 31 May 2026.
  • The Swoosh was drawn in 1971 by design student Carolyn Davidson for $35, and the “Just Do It” slogan first ran in a 1988 campaign.
  • Nike kitted out 12 teams at the 2026 World Cup, including Brazil, France and England, and takes over Germany’s kit in 2027 after more than 70 years with Adidas.

The case for Adidas

  • Adidas has made every World Cup match ball since the Telstar in 1970, and the 2026 ball, Trionda, was its 15th in a row.
  • Adidas kitted out both 2026 World Cup finalists, and Spain beat Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final on 19 July 2026.
  • Adidas reported record revenue of €24.8 billion in 2025, then its best quarter ever, €7.25 billion, in July to September 2026 (preliminary figures).
  • Adi Dassler registered the company in Herzogenaurach on 18 August 1949, and its footballers in 2026 include Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham.

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Nike vs Adidas: your questions

Which brand is better: Nike or Adidas?

That’s for the world to decide. WHOISTHEGOATS.COM runs a live public vote on Nike vs Adidas: cast yours in one tap, then see how every country has voted. Adi Dassler registered Adidas in the Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach in 1949; in Oregon, Phil Knight and his running coach Bill Bowerman started Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 and renamed it Nike in 1971. Nike is the bigger company, with revenue of $46.4 billion in the year to 31 May 2026 against Adidas’s record €24.8 billion in 2025, but Adidas had the better summer, kitting out both teams in the 2026 World Cup final.

What has Nike won?

Nike is the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, with revenue of $46.4 billion in its financial year to 31 May 2026. Nike signed Michael Jordan in 1984, and the Jordan Brand built around him sold $7.0 billion of products in the year to 31 May 2026. The Swoosh was drawn in 1971 by design student Carolyn Davidson for $35, and the “Just Do It” slogan first ran in a 1988 campaign.

What has Adidas won?

Adidas has made every World Cup match ball since the Telstar in 1970, and the 2026 ball, Trionda, was its 15th in a row. Adidas kitted out both 2026 World Cup finalists, and Spain beat Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final on 19 July 2026. Adidas reported record revenue of €24.8 billion in 2025, then its best quarter ever, €7.25 billion, in July to September 2026 (preliminary figures).

How do Nike and Adidas compare?

As of October 2026: Founded: Nike 1964 (as Blue Ribbon Sports), Adidas 1949; Headquarters: Nike Beaverton, Oregon, Adidas Herzogenaurach, Germany; Revenue, latest full year: Nike $46.4bn (year to 31 May 2026), Adidas €24.8bn (2025); Employees: Nike c. 73,000 (May 2026), Adidas 64,938 (Dec 2025); Teams kitted at the 2026 World Cup: Nike 12, Adidas 14, incl. both finalists.

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