Top 10 most expensive sports trophies in the world right now
The word 'trophy' is rooted in the French word 'Trophee,' meaning a spoil of war and prize. Since the 16th century, they have served as recognition or evidence of merit. Sports is one industry invested in awarding trophies, which are made of expensive materials to show the competition's value and honour and award the player's hard work. This article features the top 10 most expensive sports trophies in the world right now.
Source: UGC
Trophies are now made of some of the most expensive materials in the world, attaching an incredible value to what might seem like a small metallic object. Below is a listicle of the most expensive sports trophies.
10. America's Cup - Yachting - $150
- Height: 111 cm
- Weight: 14 kg
- Material: Sterling silver
Source: Getty Images
This cup is awarded to the International sailing yacht competition winner. Informally known as the Auld Mug, it is the oldest international competition, awarded first in 1851. It is named after its first winner, schooner America, after winning the Royal Yacht Squadron's 53-mile regatta around the Isle of Wight by 18 minutes.
Originally costing $100, the sterling silver ewer costs $150 as of 2023. However, its prestige makes it invaluable, as tycoons have spent up to $300 million in attempts to claim the cup.
9. Premier League trophy - Football - $5,000
- Height: 104 cm
- Weight: 25 kg
- Material: Sterling silver and 24 Carat silver gilt
Source: Getty Images
The Premier League trophy is one of the most desired cups, judging from the toughness of the world's most prestigious football league, the English Premier League.
The cup's design is based on the theme of 'The Three Lions of English Football', with two lions above each of the two handles on either side and when one holds the cup and the larger crown of the cup on its head, he becomes the third lion. In regard to its weight, the base into which the champion's name is engraved amounts to 15.9 kg.
The league uses two identical cups; one for the champions and one for the league, and the title holders must return the trophy about three weeks from their last league match. It is valued at around $5,000 as of 2023.
8. Champions League Trophy - Football - $15,000
- Height: 71 cm
- Weight: 7.5 kg
- Material: Sterling silver
Source: Getty Images
The UEFA Champions League trophy is the ultimate price in European football. Like the Premier League, this cup has its replica, which is given to the club, while the original version stays with the league. The trophy is estimated to cost up to $15,000 as of 2023. However, the winning team is also accompanied by $20 million prize money, while the runners-up get $19 million for reaching the Champions League final.
7. ICC World Cup Cricket trophy - Cricket - $30,000
- Height: 65 cm
- Weight: 11 kg
- Material: Gold and sterling silver
Source: Getty Images
Cricket lovers know how important the ICC World Cup trophy is to the franchise. However, most people do not know its details, including the two months it took for artisans to create. The cup depicts a golden globe and three silver columns representing the three fundamental aspects of cricket; batting, bowling, and fielding. The ICC keeps the original cup, while its replica is awarded to the title holder. As of 2023, its market price is $30,000.
6. Vince Lombardi Trophy - American Football - $50,000
- Height: 56 cm
- Weight: 3.2 kg
- Material: Solid Sterling Silver
Source: Getty Images
Awarded to the Super Bowl-winning team in the National Football League, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is named in honour of NFL coach Vince Lombardi. It is made of sterling silver and takes four months and 72 hours to create. Unlike most competitions, the winners are granted the original trophy that costs $50,000 as of 2023.
5. Stanley Cup - Ice Hockey - $650,000
- Height: 89.54 cm
- Weight: 15.5 kg
- Material: Silver and nickel alloy
Source: Getty Images
According to several sources, the Stanley cup is the oldest trophy awarded to a professional sports franchise, dating back to 1892. Winners are traditionally awarded the cup in ice and at their own expense, may get the club's name and year engraved on a silver ring fitted on the cup. It is valued at $650,000 and is the most valuable trophy of North America's four major professional sports leagues.
4. FA Cup - Football - $1.18 million
- Height: 61.5 cm
- Weight: 6.3 kg
- Material: Solid sterling silver
Source: Getty Images
Winners of the world's oldest association football competition are awarded the FA Cup. Since the tournament's existence in 1872, there have been five trophies, recently settling for the larger, newly designed $1.18 million silver cup.
3. Borg Warner Trophy - Motorsport - $1.3 million
- Height: 1625 cm
- Weight: 45 kg
- Material: Hollow sterling silver
Source: Getty Images
Named for and commissioned by automotive supplier Borg Warner, the trophy is awarded to the winner of the Indianapolis 500, first presented in 1936. The winner does not get to keep the trophy for even a minute, as it is permanently housed and stored at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
However, they get to keep a miniature version known as the 'Baby Borg'. The trophy was refurbished twice, in 1991 and 2004, and is worth $1.3 million as of 2023.
2. Woodlawn vase - Horse riding - $4 million
- Height: 91 cm
- Weight: 13 kg
- Material: Solid sterling silver
Source: Getty Images
The Woodlawn vase is annually presented to the winner of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of America's horse-racing triple crown, at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Standing at 91 cm and weighing 13 kg, it was appraised in 1983 by Tiffany and Company at $1 million, established for insurance purposes. Its replacement value is reported to exceed $4 million.
1. FIFA World Cup trophy - Football- $20 million
- Height: 37 cm
- Weight: 6 kg
- Material: 18 - carat gold.
Source: Getty Images
The FIFA World Cup trophy is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup after every four years. It is one of the most expensive football competitions, with the 2022 FIFA World Cup estimated to cost an incredible $220 billion. The new design came in 1974 before the old Jules Rimet trophy was stolen in 1983 but never recovered. The cup's design depicts two human figures holding up the earth.
Its initial cost is $50,000, which has grown to $20 million as of 2023, making it the most expensive trophy in all sports. The current holders are the France National team, who seem to be rooting for their 3rd championship in the 2022 FIFA world cup. The winners receive a gold-plated replica.
What is the smallest sports trophy?
The Ashes Urn is the world's smallest sports trophy. The pocket-sized award was granted to the winner of the competitive test cricket series between England and Australia in 1982/83. Standing at 10.5 cm, it is made of terracotta and is believed to contain the ashes of a burnt cricket ball.
Source: Getty Images
What is the hardest trophy to win?
The Stanley cup is the most difficult competition trophy to win. It is the oldest and most iconic cup, with its competition level rising significantly through the playoffs. The competition gets tougher as every team in the postseason has a chance, regardless of how they did during the regular season.
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As the trophies above may have an incredible amount of value attached to them, their financial value might be the least concern for the winners of each competition. While the most expensive sports trophy might not mean as much to a franchise, the least expensive might mean the world to many.
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Source: SportsBrief.com