Iconic Rocky statue moving inside Philadelphia Museum of Art today ahead of new exhibit opening in April

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The iconic Rocky statue that has sat at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps for years is moving indoors on Wednesday as part of preparations for a new exhibit set to open to the public next month.

The move marks the beginning of a transition involving multiple versions of the famous statue.

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When the exhibit concludes in August, the Rocky statue currently at the top of the museum steps – on loan to the city from actor Sylvester Stallone – will be returned to him and replaced with the original Rocky statue that sat at the base of the steps.

The bronze statue has long been a landmark in Philadelphia.

It draws visitors from around the world who pose for photos with “The Italian Stallion” and run up the museum steps, recreating the famous scene from the “Rocky” films as they raise their fists toward the city skyline.

There are actually three Rocky statues connected to Philadelphia.

The original bronze statue was commissioned for Rocky III in 1980 and later given to the city by Stallone.

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Over the years, it has been moved to several locations, including the Spectrum in South Philadelphia, and was also placed in storage at one point.

In 2006, the city’s art commission voted to allow the original statue to return to the museum steps, where it has remained at the base.

In December 2024, a replica statue made by the original artist was lent to the city by Stallone and placed at the top of the steps.

The installation was intended to be temporary for the city’s Rocky Fest. A third statue is now a permanent fixture at Philadelphia International Airport and was installed last year.

City officials say the statue swap will cost roughly $150,000.

Once the Rocky statue moves inside, it will eventually be replaced with the statue of the legendary boxer “Smokin'” Joe Frazier, which is currently in South Philadelphia.