The city of Philadelphia has officially decided to give its most famous fictional son a new vantage point. The iconic bronze statue of Rocky Balboa, a fixture at the bottom of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's steps for nearly two decades, is being relocated to the summit of the very staircase he made legendary.
A Vote for Change After Months of Debate
On Wednesday, 15 January 2026, the Philadelphia Art Commission voted to approve the move following extensive discussions involving city officials, commissioners, and the public. The decision culminates a process that spanned several months of deliberation about the statue's role and location. Valerie Gay, the city's chief cultural officer, expressed optimism about the shift, stating it presents an opportunity to create new narratives and draw attention to the museum's internal collections, which often go unnoticed by visitors who come solely for the Rocky experience.
Details of the Move: Original Statue Ascends, Replica Returns
The statue scheduled for relocation is the original prop used during the filming of 1982's Rocky III. Since 2006, it has been positioned at the base of the steps, serving as a pilgrimage site for fans who replicate the film's triumphant training run. In recent years, a replica owned by Sylvester Stallone has occupied the spot at the top. Under the new plan, the original will take that prime position later this autumn, while Stallone's replica will be returned to him.
Reports from local outlets like The Philadelphia Inquirer and Fox 29 indicate the move will happen in stages. Officials hope to bring the statue inside the museum for a period this spring before its permanent installation outdoors at the step's peak in the fall. The precise date for the relocation remains to be finalised.
Mixed Reactions from the Philadelphia Community
The planned move has sparked a range of emotions among locals. Some, like long-distance runner James Resnick—known for completing 1,000 laps of the steps in 40 hours—voiced a preference for the status quo. He told Fox that the statue's current lowly position "keeps you grounded and keeps you humble," representing an "iconic mess."
Conversely, other residents welcome the change. Tramar Roberts told news stations he believes the move is "excellent" and represents progress, predicting people will continue to visit and take photographs. The core hope from city commissioners is that redirecting the flow of tourists will increase footfall inside the museum itself, transforming a purely external tourist ritual into a gateway for engaging with the art within.
