Overview
The Smash Design team sculpted six giant Super Bowl rings for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, creating a standout photo opportunity for Steelers fans over the three days the draft took over the city. The project came from our partners at Actual Size, who needed a fabrication team to bring six decades of Super Bowl history to life at a larger-than-life scale as a tribute to Pittsburgh’s championship legacy. The rings were installed at Steelers Country in Point State Park, the central hub for fan engagement during the draft, and quickly became instant icons where fans gathered, posed, and celebrated the team’s success.
Process
Scaling championship rings to this size was a real challenge, but not a new one for us — we’d previously built oversized rings for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. Producing six at once pushed that further, since each ring needed exact detail while also standing up to heavy fan interaction and outdoor conditions.
Our process covered five stages: historical research and digital modeling (studying high-resolution images and official NFL references to recreate each ring in 3D, covering designs from Super Bowl IX in 1974 through Super Bowl XLIII in 2008, with every logo, gemstone, and engraving mapped for accuracy); precision foam carving using large-format CNC routers for consistent depth and clean geometry; hand-sculpted detailing where our sculptors refined logos, sharpened edges, and set real glass stones to replicate the brilliance of diamonds; a weather-resistant hardcoat applied to every piece since the rings would live outdoors; and a metallic finish using custom automotive paint techniques and precise Pantone-matched Steelers colors, built up in layers for depth and realism.
Result
Scaling championship rings to this size was a real challenge, but not a new one for us — we’d previously built oversized rings for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. Producing six at once pushed that further, since each ring needed exact detail while also standing up to heavy fan interaction and outdoor conditions.
Fans lined up throughout the draft to photograph the rings and share them online, making the installation a social media magnet and a centerpiece of the event. Each ring told a piece of Steelers history, from the Steel Curtain era to modern championships, and the oversized scale made every detail easy to see up close. The rings are moving next to Acrisure Stadium for continued display. Working with Actual Size on this one reinforced why we love this kind of project — it gives thousands of fans a way to connect with a legacy they’re already proud of.