Brandwave

New Balance vs Nike:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Nike had more branded searches than New Balance among football cleats brands in New Zealand. Nike had about 72,700 branded searches, while New Balance had 65,700. Nike made up 34% of all football cleats brand searches we track, and New Balance accounted for 30.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about football cleats brands, Nike appeared in all five answers and New Balance in two. Nike was mentioned before New Balance in every answer.

Among football cleats brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Nike, about 11% more searches than New Balance

Nike 72.7K searchesNew Balance 65.7K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Nike, mentioned in every answer we collected

Nike in 5 of 5New Balance in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Nike, named ahead of New Balance in every answer

Nike first in 3New Balance never first

Follow New Balance vs Nike and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top football cleats brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Nike appeared in all five answers. New Balance was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Nike was listed before New Balance in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Nike1st
  2. Adidas2nd
  3. New Balance3rd
  4. Under Armour–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Nike5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Adidas4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • New Balance2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Under Armour1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about football cleats brands

5 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which football cleats brand should I buy in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Nike
    2. 2Adidas
    3. 3New Balance

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best football cleats brands in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Nike
    2. 2Adidas
    3. 3New Balance

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best football cleats brand in New Zealand for match play?”

    1. 1Nike
    2. 2Adidas

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best football cleats”

    1. 1Nike
    2. 2Adidas
    3. 3Under Armour

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “kids football cleats”

    1. 1Nike

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is New Balance or Nike more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for New Balance and Nike by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four football cleats brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

New Balance and Nike among football cleats brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Nike, New Balance. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNikeAdidasNew BalanceUnder Armour
Oct 202537.5%30.6%27.5%4.4%
Nov 202538.9%31.1%25.8%4.2%
Dec 202541.7%28.2%25.7%4.4%
Jan 202640.9%27%27.6%4.4%
Feb 202638.5%29.7%27.7%4.1%
Mar 202637.7%32.1%26.8%3.5%
Apr 202635.9%30.9%29.1%4.1%
May 202633.4%31.4%31.5%3.7%
Jun 202633.4%30.4%32.7%3.6%
Jul 202634.7%32.1%28.7%4.5%
Aug 202635.8%30.6%29.4%4.2%
Sep 202634%31.3%30.7%3.9%

How has the New Balance and Nike comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Nike was ahead of New Balance in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, New Balance’s share of searches among football cleats brands in New Zealand moved from 27.5% to 30.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 54.5K to 65.7K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nike’s share of searches among football cleats brands in New Zealand moved from 37.5% to 34%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74.1K to 72.7K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand football cleats brands in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, New Balance gained share of searches among football cleats brands in New Zealand, from 29.4% to 30.7%.

  2. In September 2026, Nike lost share of searches among football cleats brands in New Zealand, from 35.8% to 34%.

How are branded searches counted?

24 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using New Balance’s and Nike’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

New Balance

11 branded search terms

  • new balance
  • new balance 1080
  • new balance 2002r
  • new balance 530
  • new balance 550
  • new balance 574
  • new balance 740
  • new balance 9060
  • new balance outlets
  • newbalance
  • newbalance 327

Nike

13 branded search terms

  • nike
  • nike air max
  • nike airforce
  • nike backpacks
  • nike dunks
  • nike hoodie
  • nike metcons
  • nike pegasus
  • nike pro
  • nike shorts
  • nike shox
  • nike socks
  • nike tn

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among football cleats brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free