Philadelphia International Airport will soon welcome travelers with its own Rocky statue after the city's art commission unanimously approved the installation of a second bronze statue featuring the iconic movie prizefighter. The 10-foot-tall bronze casting represents one of three original statues created by renowned sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg, offering visitors another opportunity to connect with Philadelphia's most famous fictional sports hero.
The Philadelphia Department of Aviation developed the acquisition plan in 2024 after learning that one of Schomberg's original Rocky statues had become available for purchase. According to internal memos obtained by The Inquirer, airport officials recognized this as a unique opportunity to enhance the traveler experience by acquiring an artwork that has become synonymous with Philadelphia's identity both locally and internationally.
"The Department realized that this was a unique opportunity to enhance the guest experience by purchasing an iconic statue that is solely associated with the City of Philadelphia by its residents and people from near and far who travel to Philly to partake in its celebrity and story of triumph," the memo states. The city plans to fund the purchase using airport resources, though the exact acquisition cost has not been publicly disclosed.
Working closely with sculptor Schomberg, aviation department officials have selected a prime location for the statue in Terminal A-West, positioned beyond the security checkpoint where both domestic and international passengers will encounter it. The chosen spot on the terminal's second-floor concourse was specifically selected for its dramatic architectural features, including vaulted ceilings and panoramic views of the airfield, as well as its clean, modern aesthetic free from commercial advertising distractions.
Creative Philadelphia, the city's official office for the creative sector, has thrown its full support behind the project through a formal letter to the Philadelphia Art Commission. "Bringing the beloved Rocky statue to the airport is a fantastic way to celebrate our city's rich culture in a space that welcomes travelers from across the country and around the world," wrote Marguerite Anglin, Creative Philadelphia's public art director.
Anglin emphasized the accessibility benefits of the airport installation, noting that "the statue's placement at the airport will make this significant work accessible to those who are traveling through the airport, but may not have opportunity to visit our city to see the other cast of Rocky at the Philadelphia Art Museum." Creative Philadelphia has committed to collaborating with airport officials to develop a comprehensive conservation plan to ensure the statue's long-term preservation following its installation.
The statue's creator, 82-year-old A. Thomas Schomberg, originally crafted these iconic Rocky sculptures in 1980 in anticipation of the release of "Rocky III." Schomberg worked directly with actor Sylvester Stallone, who portrayed the beloved underdog boxer in the original 1976 film and its subsequent sequels, to ensure the statue accurately captured the character's spirit and physicality.
Once installed, the airport's Rocky statue will become a permanent addition to Philadelphia's public art collection, joining the existing statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. According to Schomberg's official website, the third original casting remains in Stallone's personal collection, making the airport installation particularly significant as one of only two Rocky statues accessible to the public.
