Championship rings and trophies on display at new AMNH exhibit celebrating objects of sports excellence
The Philip F. Anschutz MLS Cup Trophy, Major League Soccer’s highest honor, was awarded to New York City FC. Photo courtesy of New York City FC
Natural history might not be the first subject that pops into mind when you think about sports, but a new exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History may change that. On May 15, the museum will open “For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence,” a new exhibition of championship rings, trophies, medals, and jewelry from winning teams and athletes. Opening within the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, “For the Win” will feature over 70 objects across more than a dozen sports, showing the evolution of trophies over 150 years, from one of Jesse Owens’s 1936 Olympic gold medals to Breanna Stewart’s 2024 WNBA Championship ring.
Curated by journalist Vikki Tobak in partnership with Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, Kevin Durant’s longtime manager, “For the Win” features objects from 15 sports, including basketball, baseball, football, soccer, tennis, boxing, and golf.
Highlights include the Vince Lombardi Trophy, Ali Krieger’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup medal, Yogi Berra’s Babe Ruth Crown from 1975, Justin Tuck’s New York Giants 2008 and 2012 Super Bowl rings, and more.
“Every object in this exhibition honors what it means to be great, what it means to win,” Tobak said.
“A ring, a medal, a trophy — each one marks the moment an athlete, a team, a dream defied the odds and made history. ‘For the Win’ invites us to look closer at the things we’ve made to honor greatness, and what we find is the story of modern sports itself.”
The exhibition will kick off AMNH’s “World Cup, World Cultures: Celebrating the Community and Science of Sport,” a series of programming to mark the FIFA World Cup 2026, including soccer activities, media installations, live World Cup match viewings, a block party, and more.
“‘For The Win’ brings together an extraordinary collection of objects that commemorate the defining moment of victory in sports, meticulously crafted from spectacular gems and minerals, and explores how athletics can resonate far beyond the field of play,” Sean M. Decatur, president of AMNH, said.
“With the excitement of the World Cup building, the exhibition will also mark the launch of a series of fun, interactive experiences at the Museum that enable visitors to engage with the science, global community, and culture of sports.”
Found in the Meister Gallery of the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, the exhibit is included with general admission.
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