Although the 2026 Winter Olympics are now behind us, championship-level glory is making its way to NYC!
Some of the most iconic symbols of sports history are about to land inside one of New York City’s most famous museums.
Opening May 15, the American Museum of Natural History will debut a brand new exhibition called For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence, bringing together championship rings, Olympic medals, trophies, and historic memorabilia from some of the greatest athletes and teams ever.
The exhibition will live inside the museum’s Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery within the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, and it spans nearly 150 years of sports history.
Visitors will get an up close look at more than 70 legendary objects across over 15 different sports.
And yes, there are some seriously iconic pieces on display!
Olympic medals, championship rings, and legendary trophies
The collection tells the story of athletic greatness through the objects that symbolize it, from traditional medals and trophy cups to the increasingly elaborate rings and jewelry athletes receive today.
Some of the highlights include:
- One of Jesse Owens’s gold medals from the 1936 Summer Olympics, where he famously won four gold medals
- Breanna Stewart’s 2024 championship ring from the New York Liberty, alongside the team’s championship trophy
- The legendary Vince Lombardi Trophy, awarded to winners of the Super Bowl
- Kevin Durant’s 2017 championship ring from the Golden State Warriors
- Ali Krieger’s 2019 medal from the FIFA Women’s World Cup
The exhibit also includes championship rings from Justin Tuck celebrating the New York Giants Super Bowl wins, the MLS Cup trophy from New York City FC’s 2021 championship, and a lifetime achievement crown awarded to Yankees legend Yogi Berra.
A sports exhibit arriving just before the World Cup
The new exhibition also arrives at a fitting moment for the city.
For the Win will help kick off a series of programs tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which New York will help host this year.
The museum plans to roll out a larger initiative called World Cup, World Cultures, bringing fans together with live match screenings, interactive soccer activities, educational programs exploring the science of sports performance, and even a museum block party.
According to museum president Sean M. Decatur, the exhibition highlights how athletic victories resonate far beyond the field, especially this year.
“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,” he said.
When to see the exhibition
For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence opens May 15, 2026 and will be included with general admission to the museum!
How to get free admission to AMNH
Remember, general admission for AMNH is pay-what-you-wish for NYC-area residents (NY, NJ, CT)!
That means when you buy in-person, you can literally pay $1 if you want, so it can feel “free,” but they suggest higher amounts of course to help support the museum!