Iconic 'Rocky' Statue Gets New Permanent Home

PHILADELPHIA — Some visitors to Philadelphia may be shocked to learn that the iconic "Rocky" statue does not sit atop the Philadelphia Art Museum's steps.

The statue was placed there for 1982's "Rocky III" to memorialize the fictional boxer's run through the city that ended with him sprinting up the stair to the museum and raising his fists in triumph.

It was relocated to the Spectrum, the now-demolished and then home of the 76ers and Flyers, brought back to the museum for another "Rocky" installment, then placed to the right of the art museum's steps.

And in 2025, the statue's future and home were in limbo briefly. "Rocky" star and writer Sylvester Stallone sought to bring the original statue (two were commissioned by Stallone for "Rocky III") into his personal collection and have a replica replace it in Philadelphia.

Stallone changed his stance due to public outcry over the original statue possibly being removed from Philadelphia, and the original statue's home was solidified as Philadelphia.

But its exact location was still up in the air. That was until now.

On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Art Commission voted to relocate the original 1982 bronze statue from the pedestal to the right of the art museum's step to the top of the steps, it's original location.

The original statue will be on display in the museum as part of an exhibit in April, then will reach its final home at the top of the steps in August.

"For many people, this location on the Rocky steps is inseparable from the story of the statue," Philadelphia Chief Cultural Officer Valerie Gay said in December. "The image of Rocky Balboa, arms raised in victory at the top of the steps, is one of Philadelphia’s most iconic and enduring symbols."

Officials said about 4 million people visit the statue annually.

The statue currently at the top of the steps, a replica, will be returned to Stallone. That replica was loaned to the city in 2024 as part of the Rocky Fest celebration.

The Rocky statue was created by A. Thomas Schomberg. Schomberg made three identical bronze casts of the statue from the same mold, two of which are at the museum now.