EXPO 2027 opens on Saturday, 15 May 2027, and closes on Sunday, 15 August 2027. It will run for 93 consecutive days, covering the late spring and summer tourist seasons in Serbia.
The exhibition will be held in Surčin, southwest of central Belgrade and near Nikola Tesla Airport. The main exhibition area covers 25 hectares and forms part of a larger development project that includes new transport infrastructure, public facilities and the National Stadium.
The site is being developed specifically for EXPO 2027, with national pavilions, thematic exhibition spaces, public areas and facilities for events and performances.
Construction continued throughout 2026. During a technical meeting held on 1–3 October, more than 250 delegates from 43 countries discussed pavilion preparations, construction requirements and logistics with the organisers. The handover of exhibition spaces to international participants is scheduled for December 2026.
What Will Visitors See at EXPO 2027?
The exhibition will be divided into three main areas, each with a different purpose.
The International Participants Zone will house national pavilions where countries present their cultures, innovations and interpretations of the exhibition’s central theme. Visitors will be able to explore displays from different parts of the world within a single exhibition site.
The Thematic Zone will focus on play, sport and music through interactive exhibits and activities. Its programme is intended to involve visitors directly rather than limit them to observing displays.
The Best Practice and Corporate Content Zone will provide space for organisations and businesses to present projects, practical solutions and other activities related to the exhibition theme.
The wider programme will include music performances, sporting activities, theatre, visual arts, educational workshops and business meetings. Organisers also plan national and thematic events throughout the exhibition’s three-month run.
The Three Themes of EXPO 2027
The exhibition’s main theme, “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All”, is developed through three subthemes.
Power of Play examines how play supports physical and mental well-being, resilience and sustainability. It covers activities that connect movement, learning and personal development.
Play for Progress focuses on imagination and innovation. Participating organisations can explore how experimentation and creativity contribute to developments in science, technology and the arts.
Play Together looks at the social role of play, including cooperation, inclusion and cultural exchange. Shared music, games and other activities will be used to explore how people from different backgrounds interact.
These themes will shape the content of national pavilions and the exhibition’s programme of events.
