Who Makes the Super Bowl Rings? Inside the Process

By Sarah Miller · March 1, 2042

The Super Bowl rings are officially commissioned by the NFL and awarded to the winning team, with Jostens being the primary manufacturer responsible for designing and crafting the championship rings since 2009.

History of Super Bowl Ring Production

The tradition of awarding Super Bowl rings began with the first championship game in 1967. Initially, teams had the freedom to choose their own jewelers, resulting in varied designs and quality. Over time, the NFL standardized the process to ensure consistency and prestige.

Early Years: Team-Selected Jewelers

Prior to the 2000s, teams worked with local or regional jewelers.
Examples include Tiffany & Co., which crafted rings for several early champions.
Lack of uniformity led to disparities in design, materials, and cost.

NFL Standardization and Jostens' Dominance

In the 2000s, the NFL began overseeing ring production more closely. Since 2009, Jostens—a Minnesota-based company known for school rings and awards—has been the league’s official provider.

Jostens ensures high-quality craftsmanship and consistent delivery.
The company collaborates with teams on custom designs that reflect each victory.
Each ring includes team logos, player names, Super Bowl numerals, and diamonds.

Design and Manufacturing Process

Creating a Super Bowl ring is a meticulous process involving collaboration between the winning team, players, and Jostens’ designers.

Key Stages in Ring Production

Concept Development: Team executives and players provide input on design elements.
Prototyping: 3D models and wax molds are created for approval.
Crafting: Rings are made from gold, embedded with diamonds and other precious stones.
Engraving: Personalized details like names, numbers, and motivational phrases are added.
Delivery: Completed rings are distributed within months after the Super Bowl.

Cost and Materials Breakdown

The NFL provides up to $7,000 per ring for up to 150 rings for the winning team. Teams often exceed this budget using their own funds.

Super Bowl	Winning Team	Rings Awarded	Avg. Cost Per Ring	Primary Material	Diamond Count
LVIII	Kansas City Chiefs	160	$40,000	14K White Gold	92
LVII	Kansas City Chiefs	150	$38,000	14K Yellow Gold	87
LVI	Los Angeles Rams	150	$37,000	14K Yellow Gold	85
LV	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	150	$36,000	14K Yellow Gold	82
LIV	Kansas City Chiefs	150	$35,000	14K Yellow Gold	80

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows a clear upward trend in both cost and diamond count over recent Super Bowls, reflecting increasing investment in ring design. The Kansas City Chiefs have consistently received some of the most expensive rings, especially after their wins in LIV, LVII, and LVIII. Materials remain predominantly 14K gold, balancing durability and luxury.

Who Receives a Super Bowl Ring?

The distribution of rings extends beyond just players. Teams decide who gets a ring, typically including:

Active roster players
Coaches and support staff
Front office personnel
Owners and investors
Sometimes injured reserve or practice squad members

The NFL subsidizes up to 150 rings, but teams often purchase additional ones at their own expense.

Frequently Asked Questions About Super Bowl Rings

Who makes the Super Bowl rings?

Jostens has been the official manufacturer of Super Bowl rings since 2009, producing all championship rings for the winning team in coordination with the NFL and team leadership.

How much does a Super Bowl ring cost?

The average cost ranges from $35,000 to over $40,000 per ring, although the NFL only reimburses up to $7,000 per ring for the first 150 distributed. Teams cover the remaining costs.

Do losing teams get Super Bowl rings?

No, only the winning team receives official Super Bowl rings. However, some teams may give commemorative gifts to the losing team, but these are not recognized as official championship rings.

Are Super Bowl rings made of real gold and diamonds?

Yes, authentic Super Bowl rings are crafted from solid 14-karat gold and embedded with genuine diamonds and sometimes other precious stones like sapphires or rubies.

How many Super Bowl rings are made each year?

Typically around 150 rings are produced for the winning team, though some teams order more. For example, the Kansas City Chiefs ordered 160 rings for Super Bowl LVIII.

Can fans buy authentic Super Bowl rings?

Authentic game-used or officially issued rings occasionally appear at auctions and can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Replicas are available for purchase, but they are not the same as player-issued rings.