Rocky is getting a permanent spot at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.
Construction is scheduled to begin today, Friday, Sept. 11, to prepare the location for the permanent installation of the city’s Rocky statue at the top of the steps, according to Creative Philadelphia.
Officials told NBC10 Philadelphia that creating a foundation for the statue is expected to take about two weeks. The statue’s permanent installation is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
During construction, the steps will stay open to visitors, with Rocky visible behind barricades. Close-up access, however, will be restricted for about two weeks as the foundation is prepared and the permanent statue is installed.
The existing sculpture of Sylvester Stallone’s iconic fictional boxer Rocky Balboa will be replaced by the original version that’s been on exhibit inside the museum since April, according to a WHYY report.
Artist A. Thomas Schomberg fabricated three sculptures, commissioned for Rocky III in 1980. The one used as a prop in the movie had stood next to the museum steps since 2006, where it attracted an estimated 4 million tourists each year.
According to WHYY, in January 2025, the Philadelphia Art Commission provided final approval for the original statue’s temporary move into the museum and eventual permanent placement at the top of the museum steps, replacing Stallone’s loaner. Stallone originally wanted to change which statue he would get back, but reversed his decision after public feedback.