Sports trophies are more than just shiny objects that athletes and teams compete for. They are symbols of excellence, achievement, and history. Some of them are also worth a fortune, as they are made of precious metals, jewels, or rare materials. In this article, we will take a look at the 10 most expensive sports trophies in the world, based on their estimated monetary value.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy ($50,000)
The Vince Lombardi Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Super Bowl, the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL). The trophy is named after Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach who led the Green Bay Packers to five NFL championships and two Super Bowl victories. The trophy is made of sterling silver and weighs about 7 pounds. It depicts a football in a kicking position on a three-sided stand. Each year, a new trophy is made by Tiffany & Co. and presented to the winning team.
The DFB-Pokal Trophy ($108,000)
The DFB-Pokal Trophy is awarded to the winner of the DFB-Pokal, the annual knockout football cup competition in Germany. The trophy is also known as the Tschammer-Pokal, after its founder, Reichssportführer Hans von Tschammer und Osten. The trophy is made of gold-plated sterling silver and weighs about 12 pounds. It has a height of 20 inches and a diameter of 10 inches. It features a large German eagle on top, holding a football in its claws. The trophy has been in use since 1935, with some modifications over the years.
The Africa Cup of Nations Trophy ($150,000)
The Africa Cup of Nations Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Africa Cup of Nations, the main international men’s football competition in Africa. The trophy is also known as the African Unity Cup or the CAF Trophy, after the Confederation of African Football, the governing body of the tournament. The trophy is made of gold and weighs about 18 pounds. It has a height of 24 inches and a diameter of 16 inches. It features a map of Africa on a globe, surrounded by four elephants standing on a base. The trophy was introduced in 2001, replacing the original trophy that was permanently awarded to Cameroon after they won it three times in a row.
The America’s Cup Trophy ($250,000)
The America’s Cup Trophy is awarded to the winner of the America’s Cup, the oldest international sporting trophy and the most prestigious sailing competition in the world. The trophy is also known as the Auld Mug, after its original name, the Royal Yacht Squadron £100 Cup. The trophy is made of silver and weighs about 30 pounds. It has a height of 44 inches and a diameter of 11 inches. It features a winged figure of Britannia on top, holding a laurel wreath and a trident. The trophy was first awarded in 1851 when the yacht America beat 15 British yachts in a race around the Isle of Wight.
The Ballon d’Or Trophy ($600,000)
The Ballon d’Or Trophy is awarded to the best male footballer in the world, as voted by a panel of journalists, coaches, and captains. The trophy is also known as the Golden Ball or the European Footballer of the Year Award. The trophy is made of gold and weighs about 10 pounds. It has a height of 12 inches and a diameter of 8 inches. It features a football on a pedestal, with the words “Ballon d’Or” engraved on it. The trophy was first awarded in 1956, by the French magazine France Football, to Stanley Matthews, the English winger.
The Stanley Cup Trophy ($650,000)
The Stanley Cup Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Stanley Cup, the annual playoff championship of the National Hockey League (NHL). The trophy is also known as the Holy Grail of Hockey or the Cup. The trophy is made of silver and nickel alloy and weighs about 35 pounds. It has a height of 36 inches and a diameter of 11 inches. It features a bowl on top, with the words “Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup” engraved on it, and a barrel below, with the names of the winning teams and players engraved on it. The trophy was first awarded in 1893, by Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor General of Canada, to the Montreal Hockey Club.
The Borg-Warner Trophy ($1,300,000)
The Borg-Warner Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Indianapolis 500, the annual automobile race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The trophy is also known as the Indy 500 Trophy or the 500-Mile Race Trophy. The trophy is made of sterling silver and weighs about 110 pounds. It has a height of 64 inches and a diameter of 18 inches. It features a bas-relief sculpture of the face of every winner of the race, along with their name, year, and average speed. The trophy was first awarded in 1936, by the Borg-Warner Automotive Company, to Louis Meyer, the first three-time winner of the race.
The BNP Paribas Fortis Diamond Games Trophy ($1,500,000)
The BNP Paribas Fortis Diamond Games Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Diamond Games, a women’s tennis tournament held in Antwerp, Belgium. The trophy is also known as the Golden Racket or the Diamond Racket. The trophy is made of gold and diamonds and weighs about 15 pounds. It has a height of 14 inches and a width of 9 inches. It features a tennis racket studded with 1,702 diamonds, with a large golden ball in the center. The trophy was first awarded in 2004, by the BNP Paribas Fortis Bank, to Kim Clijsters, the Belgian tennis star.
The Woodlawn Vase Trophy ($4,000,000)
The Woodlawn Vase Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the American Triple Crown of horse racing. The trophy is also known as the Preakness Trophy or the Woodlawn Vase. The trophy is made of sterling silver and weighs about 30 pounds. It has a height of 36 inches and a diameter of 12 inches. It features a vase with two handles, decorated with floral motifs and horse heads. The trophy was first awarded in 1861, by the Woodlawn Racing Association, to the winner of a race held at the Woodlawn Course in Kentucky.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy ($20,000,000)
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is awarded to the winner of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men’s football tournament. The trophy is also known as the World Cup Trophy or the Jules Rimet Trophy, after its original name and creator. The trophy is made of 18-karat gold and malachite and weighs about 13 pounds. It has a height of 14 inches and a diameter of 5 inches. It features two human figures holding up the globe, with the words “FIFA World Cup” engraved on the base. The trophy was first awarded in 1974, by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), to West Germany, after the original trophy was stolen and never recovered.
