On May 15, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City launched For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence, an exhibition showcasing championship rings, trophies, medals, and sports memorabilia spanning nearly 150 years. Among the featured displays is New York City Football Club’s 2021 Philip F. Anschutz Trophy and MLS Cup Championship Ring, highlighting the team’s achievement in Major League Soccer. This exhibit explores the stories behind iconic sports objects while tracing their evolution alongside modern sports culture, opening ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Exhibition’s Scope and Highlights
For the Win is housed in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery within the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals. The collection includes over 70 items from more than 15 sports, ranging from basketball and baseball to soccer and boxing. It reveals how awards have transformed from simple medals or cups into intricately designed symbols of victory, crafted from precious gems and minerals.
Noteworthy pieces on display include the MLS’s highest honor, the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy awarded to NYC FC for their 2021 championship; Jesse Owens’s 1936 Olympic gold medals from the Berlin Games; Breanna Stewart’s 2024 WNBA Championship ring and New York Liberty trophy; the NFL’s Vince Lombardi Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.; Ali Krieger’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup medal; and Kevin Durant’s 2017 NBA Championship ring with the Golden State Warriors.
Additional treasures include an Olympic torch from the 1968 Mexico City Games where Enriqueta Basilio became the first woman to light the cauldron; the National Women’s Soccer League Trophy earned by NJ/NY Gotham FC after their 2023 title; Yogi Berra’s 1975 Babe Ruth Crown honoring his career with the New York Yankees; diamonds-studded Super Bowl rings from New York Giants player Justin Tuck; Katie Ledecky’s 2025 Golden Goggles Award for her record-breaking tenth Female Athlete of the Year honor; and Claressa Shields’s 2019 WBO Middleweight Championship belt, bearing her nickname, “T-Rex.”
Expert Insight on the Cultural and Sporting Significance
Sean M. Decatur, President of the American Museum of Natural History, emphasized the exhibition’s role in celebrating victory and the rich connection between sports and natural artistry:
“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.”
He noted the exhibition coincides with preparations for the World Cup and will introduce engaging experiences illustrating sports science and culture.
Guest Curator Vikki Tobak, a journalist and author, reflected on the exhibition’s narrative:
“Every object in this exhibition honors what it means to be great, what it means to win. 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.”
Rich Kleiman, senior advisor for the exhibit and CEO of Boardroom, whose roots as a passionate sports fan on Manhattan’s Upper West Side influenced his involvement, remarked,
“To be able to play a part in putting this exhibit together in walking distance from my childhood home is a true honor. The American Museum of Natural History is iconic, and this exhibition has been a perfect collaboration in the celebration of winning at the highest level in sports. I’m excited for people to experience it.”
Connecting Sports, Science, and Global Community Through Interactive Experiences
For the Win serves as the foundation for World Cup, World Cultures: Celebrating the Community and Science of Sport, a multi-faceted program set to accompany FIFA World Cup 2026 festivities. Beyond the exhibition, the museum will debut interactive soccer-themed installations catering to all ages, including hands-on activities and media representations of landmark sporting moments worldwide.
The initiative also features live match screenings, educational sessions exploring biomechanics and sports science, cultural discussions, and community events such as block parties targeted at sports enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. These programs aim to engage both New Yorkers and international visitors in the unifying power of sports and its scientific underpinnings.
About the American Museum of Natural History
Founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History is among the premier scientific and cultural institutions globally. Its vast offerings include more than 40 permanent exhibition halls, temporary galleries, and centers like the Rose Center for Earth and Space, home to the Hayden Planetarium, and the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation.
The museum’s research initiatives draw on a world-class collection of over 30 million specimens and objects, some dating back billions of years, alongside one of the largest natural history libraries worldwide. It also operates the Richard Gilder Graduate School, offering advanced degrees including a Ph.D. in Comparative Biology and a Master of Arts in Teaching Earth Science residency program, reinforcing its commitment to science education.
Significance of the Exhibition and Future Impact
Displaying NYC FC’s 2021 MLS Cup Championship Ring alongside legendary sports artifacts underscores the growing cultural importance of Major League Soccer within the American sports landscape. By situating these prized symbols in a scientific and artistic context, For the Win not only honors athletic triumphs but also invites contemplation about the evolving role of sports in society.
As anticipation builds toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this exhibition and its associated programming promise to deepen public engagement with the science, history, and emotional resonance of sports. Visitors will have the opportunity to reflect on moments of victory while exploring the broader narratives that bind athletic achievement to cultural identity and community across the globe.
