ComplexCon returned to Las Vegas last weekend for the second year in a row, and JD Sports was on hand to bless its attendees.
The sneaker and sportswear retailer kicked off the festivities by hosting a party at the iconic LIV Nightclub on Friday night. Metro Boomin was on the decks to hype up the crowd, playing tracks from his most recent album A Futuristic Summa. BMX rider and designer Nigel Sylvester, who pulled up to ComplexCon in his Brick by Brick Truck, also made an appearance, and so did frequent Saucony collaborator Jae Tips. Complex News’ Kylie Mar took the pulse of the party, asking guests to predict the Sneaker of the Year winner.
On Sunday, a loaded JD Sports-sponsored SOTY panel, led by Joe La Puma, Fat Joe, Brendan Dunne, Matt Welty, multi-hyphenate Vashtie and streetwear legend Upscale Vandal, chopped it up about their favorite 2025 kicks. Before the proceedings even started, JD Sports gifted swag to people waiting in line to enter the convention room.
On stage, the hosts spoke about five of the year’s best sneakers, all of which were pulled out of JD Sports-branded bags, with Fat Joe hilariously declaring that the Nike Vomero Plus shoes were made by “Jesus Christ himself.” In the end, the Air Jordan 4 "Brick by Brick" by Nigel Sylvester earned Sneaker of the Year honors, but that wasn’t the only exciting reveal of the evening. JLP announced that JD Sports gift cards were taped to the bottom of 15 random chairs throughout the audience, surprising lucky panel-goers with $250 each.
Wrapping up the memorable weekend, Complex News’ Jillian Hardeman-Webb surveyed sneaker fans to get their reaction to the SOTY.
To shop the latest and greatest sneakers that 2025 has to offer, visit JD Sports’ website or a location near you.