Overview
The Smash Design team was thrilled to tackle the challenge of sculpting six giant Super Bowl rings to help celebrate the 2026 NFL Draft in the one and only Steel City! These massive, foam replicas provided the perfect popup photo op for the Steelers faithful as the draft took over their town for three days. We thought the fans’ reaction to them was pure gold!
It all started when our friends at Actual Size needed a fabrication partner to create this historic local tribute. They called on Smash Design to deliver six decades of championship bling at larger-than-life proportions. Displayed at Steelers Country—the massive, interactive fan experience at Pittsburgh’s Point State Park—these giant replicas of the team’s six Super Bowl championship rings became instant photo opportunities and powerful symbols of the franchise’s crazy success.
Process
Recreating the intricate details of championship hardware at a massive scale was a tough challenge, but one we’d faced before. The Smash Design team has already created giant-sized championship rings for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, so we knew exactly what we were getting into. Still, SIX giant rings?! It was a huge test. Each ring needed to include all the specific design elements that made it unique, from the distinctive gemstone patterns to the engraved text—all while standing up to rough-and-tumble fan interaction. And did we mention they’d need to be installed outdoors?
Our process included:
Historical Research and Digital Modeling: Working from high-resolution photographs and official NFL documentation, our design team studied each of the six real rings from Super Bowl IX in 1974 to Super Bowl XLIII in 2008. Every diamond placement, logo detail, and championship inscription was carefully mapped in our 3D models to ensure absolute accuracy at scale.
Precision Foam Carving: Using our large-format CNC routers, we carved each Super Bowl ring from from high-density foam, creating the foundation for what would become incredibly detailed sculptures. The mechanical precision ensured perfect translation from the digital designs and consistent depths for each design element across all six rings.
Hand-Sculpted Details: From the rough sculpture produced by the CNCs, our sculptors perfected every minute detail, from the raised Steelers logos to precious stones cut from real glass. We individually shaped and placed each “diamond,” creating the sparkle that makes championship rings so beautiful.
Weather-Resistant Hardcoating: Knowing these rings might face everything from curious hands to Pittsburgh rain, we applied a specialized hardcoating to create durable shells that could withstand full-contact fan engagement while maintaining their pristine appearance throughout the multi-day draft celebration.
Metallic Finish Mastery: Our scenic artists developed custom painting techniques to replicate the lustrous finish of championship gold using specialized metallic automotive paints. Pantone paint mixing produced perfect Steelers brand colors. Each ring received multiple layers of hand-applied finishes to achieve the depth and richness of precious metals.
The completed Super Bowl rings exceeded even our expectations, attracting crowds of their own at the draft. Fans lined up to pose with these symbols of Pittsburgh pride, creating countless social media moments riding the wave of draft-day excitement. It was amazing to watch. Our rings’ sheer presence transformed Point State Park into a championship museum under the open sky!
Result
Each ring told its own story, from the first championship in the Steel Curtain era to their most recent victory in the 21st Century. We watched multiple generations of Steelers fans connect with their team’s legendary history. The massive scale made every detail accessible and Instagram-worthy, turning technical specifications into emotional touchpoints.
By treating each ring as both an engineering challenge and an artistic opportunity, the artists at Smash Design created a popup installation that honored Pittsburgh’s championship legacy while serving the practical needs of a high-energy public event. Next, the rings will be put on display at Acrisure Stadium!
Working with Actual Size on this project reinforced why we love what we do at Smash Design. These foam sculptures brought joy to thousands of fans and added spectacular visual impact to one of the NFL’s premier events. As Steelers faithful gathered around each ring, sharing stories of championships past and dreams of titles future, we were reminded that our work creates more than props. It creates connections, memories, and moments of pure fan celebration. Now, excuse us while we dry our eyes with a Terrible Towel!
