The 10 most expensive sports trophies in the world are revealed in this article.
The enduring legacy of sporting trophies
Trophies have long symbolized triumphs in sporting events, spanning from grassroots competitions to elite professional leagues. These prized awards, often accompanied by medals or rings, hold historical significance and serve as tangible evidence of achievement.
Throughout history, trophies have been synonymous with recognition and merit, dating back to ancient times. In the realm of sports, they are bestowed upon both teams and individuals for their outstanding accomplishments. Notably, combat sports such as boxing, mixed martial arts, and professional wrestling employ championship belts as prestigious trophies.
Unlike conventional trophies, championship belts carry a unique tradition. Rather than creating a new trophy for each champion, the titleholder inherits the belt from their predecessor upon victory. This practice adds layers of history and symbolism to the coveted prize.
Sports Buddy, in this article, unveils the world’s most opulent trophies in sports in ascending order, shedding light on the extravagant and prestigious awards that symbolize excellence and achievement on the global athletic stage.
What are the 10 most expensive sports trophies?
The world’s most expensive sports trophies are hereby listed below in ascending order:
10.) DFB-Pokal trophy: $108,000 (Football)
The DFB-Pokal is a yearly soccer tournament in Germany run by the German Football Association (DFB). It involves 64 teams, including those from the top two leagues, the Bundesliga and the Bundesliga 2. This cup is seen as the second most important title in German club soccer after the Bundesliga.
The tournament starts in August and ends in May. The winner gets to play in the DFL-Supercup and qualifies for the UEFA Europa League, unless they’ve already qualified for the UEFA Champions League through the Bundesliga.
It began in 1935 as the Tschammer-Pokal, with 1. FC Nürnberg winning the first title. In 1937, Schalke 04 won both the Cup and the Bundesliga, being the first to do so. It paused during World War II and was brought back in 1952–53 as the DFB-Pokal. Bayern Munich has won the most titles, lifting the trophy 20 times.
As of 2024, the DFB-Pokal trophy is valued at approximately $108,000, placing it among the most expensive trophies globally.
9.) Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) trophy: $138,442 (Football)
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the primary international men’s football competition in Africa, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It began in 1957 and has been held every two years since 1968, shifting to odd-numbered years in 2013.
Initially, only three nations competed in the first tournament in 1957: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Over time, the tournament expanded, leading to qualifying matches. In 1998, 16 teams participated, divided into four groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
In 2017, the tournament was moved from January to June and expanded to 24 teams. Egypt holds the record for the most victories, winning the cup seven times, including three consecutive titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
Ivory Coast are the reigning champions, having beaten Nigeria in the AFCON 2023 final.
The AFCON trophy is valued at over $138,000, ranking it among the most expensive trophies globally.
8. America’s Cup trophy: $250,000 (Sailing)
The America’s Cup is a famous sailing competition with a long history. It involves races between two yachts: one from the current holder of the trophy (the defender) and one from a challenging yacht club (the challenger).
The matches happen every few years, and the trophy was first awarded in 1851. Originally called the ‘R.Y.S. £100 Cup,’ it was renamed the America’s Cup after the first winning yacht.
Yacht clubs can challenge for the cup, and if they win, they become its new stewards. The competition is prestigious and attracts top sailors, designers, and sponsors. It’s expensive, with teams spending millions of dollars. The trophy itself is valuable and has a rich history, currently held by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. It is valued at over $250,000, ranking it among the most expensive trophies globally.
7. Ballon d’Or trophy: $600,000 (Football)
The Ballon d’Or is a yearly football award given by France Football magazine since 1956. From 2010 to 2015, it merged with FIFA’s World Player of the Year award but split again in 2016. It is usually decided by football journalists’ votes and now considers players worldwide.
In 2022, France Football changed the timing and voting rules. Some famous winners include Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi holds the record for the highest number, having won eight, including the last one in 2023.
The trophy is a gold-plated brass sphere, currently worth $600,000.
6. Stanley Cup Trophy: $650,000 (Ice Hockey)
The Stanley Cup is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion.
It’s the oldest trophy in North American professional sports, first awarded in 1893. There are three Stanley Cups, including the original bowl and the current one. Unlike other sports trophies, a new Stanley Cup isn’t made every year.
It’s won by NHL teams, with the Montreal Canadiens being the most successful, having won it 24 times. The Detroit Red Wings have won it the most among U.S.-based teams. The current holders are the Vegas Golden Knights. It’s valued at $650,000 and has over 3,000 names engraved on it.
5. FA Cup trophy: $1.18 million (Football)
The FA Cup is the oldest national football competition globally, dating back to 1871-72.
Organized by The Football Association, it’s now known as The Emirates FA Cup. The tournament is open to clubs across various levels of English football. Winners qualify for the UEFA Europa League and the FA Community Shield.
Arsenal holds the record for the most titles, with Manchester City being the current champions. According to legit, the trophy is valued at $1.18 million and has a rich history, with its latest design introduced in 1911.
4. Borg-Warner Trophy: $1.3 million (Motorsport)
The Borg-Warner Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana, USA.
The race, known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” is part of the IndyCar Series and is held over Memorial Day weekend.
The trophy, commissioned by BorgWarner, is housed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. It was unveiled in 1936 and is valued at $1.3 million as of 2024, ranking it among the world’s most expensive trophies.
3. NP Paribas Fortis Diamond Games trophy – $1.3 million (Tennis)
The Diamond Games, also known as the BNP Paribas Fortis Diamond Games, is a women’s professional WTA tournament. In 2007, Amélie Mauresmo won a golden racquet adorned with diamonds.
The tournament unveiled a new trophy design in 2008, featuring a golden racquet and ball decorated with 2008 diamonds. Winners of the singles three times in five years are awarded a special trophy.
As of 2024, this trophy is valued at $1.3 million, ranking it among the world’s most expensive trophies.
2. Woodlawn Vase Trophy: $2.5 million (Horse Riding)
The Woodlawn Vase is a prestigious American trophy awarded annually to the winning owner of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.
It was first awarded in 1861 and became the official trophy for the Preakness winner in 1917. Initially, the winning owner kept the trophy for a year, but since 1953, this practice has ceased. The Woodlawn Vase is considered one of the most expensive trophies globally, currently valued at $2.5 million.
1. FIFA World Cup Trophy: $20 million (Football)
