Expo
2027
From 15 May to 15 August 2027, Belgrade and Serbia will proudly host the Specialised Exhibition Expo 2027 Belgrade, under the theme “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All.”
Over the course of 93 days, the Expo will explore the importance of play, sport, and music, and the contribution they make to human development and progress.
The original goal was for 100 countries to confirm their participation by the end of 2025. That milestone was reached as early as May that year - seven months ahead of schedule. To date, 139 international participants have confirmed their participation, while more than four million visitors from Serbia and around the world are expected to attend. This will also be the first International Exhibition of this scale ever to be held in the Western Balkans. The previous Specialised Expo, held in Astana in 2017, welcomed 115 countries and 22 international organisations - a total that Belgrade has already surpassed.
What is Expo?
A global event
An Expo is a global event and exhibition that brings together nations from around the world to address the current challenges humanity faces and explore innovative solutions. It’s an immersive experience where cutting-edge ideas, technologies, and creative solutions come together to shape the future.
A shared platform
Expos are a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and sharing knowledge across borders. Millions of visitors gather at each event, offering a unique opportunity to engage with global advancements, participate in interactive cultural, educational and technology exhibitions, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about our collective future.
A lasting impact
Beyond the exhibitions and innovations, Expos transform host cities, turning them into hubs of creativity and connection, while leaving lasting legacies that continue to impact communities long after the event concludes.
Who is behind Expo?
The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is the intergovernmental organization responsible for overseeing and regulating World Expos. Based in Paris, the BIE includes 184 member states and governs four types of exhibitions: World Expos, Specialised Expos, Horticultural Expos and the Triennale in Milan – International Expo
How are hosts cities chosen?
The BIE ensures that Expos uphold the highest standards of innovation, creativity, and global cooperation. Through this, the BIE selects host cities that will lead the world in addressing pressing challenges and driving forward positive change.
The Story
of the Bid
Serbia’s journey towards EXPO 2027 began on 21 June 2023, when it was elected host of the Exhibition following a closely contested race against bids from the United States, Spain, Thailand and Argentina.
Just over a year later, on 5 September 2024, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Serbia Siniša Mali presented the revised Recognition Dossier to Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
The following month, on 14 October 2024, the BIE Executive Committee unanimously endorsed the dossier. Formal Recognition followed on 26 November 2024, during the 175th General Assembly of the BIE. On that occasion, the Serbian delegation received the BIE flag, officially opening the way for invitations to be extended to countries around the world.
What distinguished Serbia’s bid was its theme, “Play for Humanity”. Its breadth, universal relevance and participatory nature inspired countries not only to present themselves at the Exhibition, but also to develop activities in which visitors could take an active role - introducing a genuinely new dimension to the International Exhibition experience.
The Story
Behind the
Brand
When the time came to create the visual identity of EXPO 2027, inspiration was drawn from the very essence of its host city. “The spirit of Belgrade is captured most vividly at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers, to which the city is deeply connected, both physically and emotionally,” explains Saša Vidaković, the acclaimed designer behind the visual identity of EXPO 2027.
“By exploring water as a visual form, we arrived at a logo that captures the interplay of the colours of the two rivers, as well as the way they are constantly refracted through the movement of the waves.”
The design did not go unnoticed. At the 2025 Graphis Design Awards, the visual identity of EXPO 2027 Belgrade received a Silver Award.
Meet the
Mascots
The mascots of EXPO 2027 were not created behind closed doors – they were chosen by the public. Over a period of eight months in 2025, people voted for their favourite pair of names, until the winning names were officially unveiled at the end of January 2026: Rastko and Milica.
These two charming characters – a boy and a girl – embody something that lies at the very heart of the entire Exhibition: the meeting of Serbia’s traditional and contemporary identities. Their official naming marked the beginning of their journey as ambassadors introducing EXPO 2027, Belgrade, and Serbia to the world.
EXPO by
the Numbers
What truly sets EXPO 2027 Belgrade apart is that none of the facilities being built for the Exhibition will be left empty once its gates close. The new Belgrade Fairgrounds, the EXPO 2027 Belgrade Museum, the Auditorium, and the International Play Forum are just some of the permanent facilities the city will gain. They will be joined by the Centre for Innovation and Creativity, the National Centre for the Promotion of Sport and Physical Activity, and the National Centre for Musical Innovation - each directly reflecting the central theme of the Exhibition.
The wider development will also include new schools, preschools and sports halls, residential accommodation and a hotel, retail spaces, as well as new playgrounds and public areas.
The Master Plan for EXPO 2027 Belgrade has been conceived so that 100 percent of the site and its infrastructure will remain in active use after the Exhibition closes, setting a gold standard not only for staging a mega-event of this scale, but also for transforming its legacy into lasting value for future generations.
Fascinating Facts
About World Expos
Few people realise how many things that we now take for granted can trace part of their history to World Expos. The Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Atomium in Brussels, and the Ferris wheel in Chicago were all created as landmarks of international exhibitions, and went on to become permanent symbols of their cities. The same is true of some less obvious examples: hot dog, peanut butter, iced tea, the ice cream cone, and Heinz ketchup were introduced to wider audiences or popularised through major international exhibitions. Television, alternating current, the telephone, the passenger lift, and early touchscreen technologies also reached important milestones at World Expos.
Serbia
At Expo
A Legacy of Innovation and Cultural Celebration
Serbia has long been a proud participant in World Expos, blending tradition with forward-thinking innovation. At every Expo, Serbia has showcased its rich cultural heritage while embracing the values of progress, sustainability, and global cooperation.
First Appearance at World Expo, Antwerp
Serbia’s journey at Expos began in Antwerp, marking its first appearance at a World Expo with a showcase of the nation’s early contributions to industry and culture.
A Serbian Church Pavilion in Paris
Serbia’s pavilion at the Paris Expo in 1900 was designed in the unique Serbian-Byzantine style, reflecting the country's deep cultural roots and architectural prowess.
Engineering and Architecture in Montreal
At Expo 1967 in Montreal, Serbia displayed the groundbreaking achievements of the Đerdap Dam on the Danube River and the Gazela Bridge, both iconic structures that symbolized Serbia’s progress in infrastructure and technology.
Pirot Carpets at Expo Shanghai
The Serbian Pavilion in 2010 was a visual masterpiece inspired by the intricate patterns of the Pirot carpet, showcasing the country’s creative craftsmanship on a global stage.
Expo Dubai – Innovation Meets Culture
Serbia’s performance at Expo 2020 in Dubai captured the world’s attention with a blend of scientific advancements, cultural heritage, and celebrated athletes and artists. More than a million visitors were drawn to Serbia’s pavilion, cementing the country’s status as a hub of innovation.
Serbia
At Expo
A Legacy of Innovation and Cultural Celebration
Serbia has long been a proud participant in World Expos, blending tradition with forward-thinking innovation. At every Expo, Serbia has showcased its rich cultural heritage while embracing the values of progress, sustainability, and global cooperation.
First Appearance at World Expo, Antwerp
Serbia’s journey at Expos began in Antwerp, marking its first appearance at a World Expo with a showcase of the nation’s early contributions to industry and culture.
A Serbian Church Pavilion in Paris
Serbia’s pavilion at the Paris Expo in 1900 was designed in the unique Serbian-Byzantine style, reflecting the country's deep cultural roots and architectural prowess.
Engineering and Architecture in Montreal
At Expo 1967 in Montreal, Serbia displayed the groundbreaking achievements of the Đerdap Dam on the Danube River and the Gazela Bridge, both iconic structures that symbolized Serbia’s progress in infrastructure and technology.
Pirot Carpets at Expo Shanghai
The Serbian Pavilion in 2010 was a visual masterpiece inspired by the intricate patterns of the Pirot carpet, showcasing the country’s creative craftsmanship on a global stage.
Expo Dubai – Innovation Meets Culture
Serbia’s performance at Expo 2020 in Dubai captured the world’s attention with a blend of scientific advancements, cultural heritage, and celebrated athletes and artists. More than a million visitors were drawn to Serbia’s pavilion, cementing the country’s status as a hub of innovation.
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EXPO
Ambassadors
Music Line-up
As the countdown to the opening continues, Belgrade is already beginning to move to the rhythm of the world’s next major event. Concerts by Eros Ramazzotti, Lenny Kravitz and Deep Purple, together with a spectacular Cirque du Soleil production, have been announced as an introduction to the atmosphere that will shape the period leading up to and during EXPO 2027 - an early glimpse of what awaits the city in the months ahead.
The Story of
the Volunteers
Behind every major event are the people who make it possible on the ground. EXPO 2027 has launched its volunteer programme, “Expo Playmakers”, with applications officially opening on 15 May 2026. Through the programme, more than 20,000 volunteers will have the opportunity to become part of the largest international event Serbia has ever hosted. Throughout the Exhibition’s 93 days, they will be the first point of contact between the world and Serbia.
Prospective volunteers can choose from 48 different roles, ranging from visitor and international delegation services to logistics, event operations, and support for international teams. Applications are open to everyone who will be at least 18 years old by 15 April 2027 and who is available to volunteer for a minimum of 15 days during the Exhibition.
The most intensive phase of selection and training is expected to take place between September 2026 and April 2027. During this period, candidates will take part in training designed to strengthen their organisational, communication, and intercultural skills, while giving them valuable experience of working in an international environment.
The programme is also open to volunteers from outside Serbia, offering participants the opportunity to meet and collaborate with people from around the world.
The response was almost immediate. More than 5,000 applications were received within the first five days - a clear sign that the vision of EXPO 2027 as a place for connection, learning, and new experiences has already resonated far beyond its future visitors.
The Legacy
of Expo
Every Expo leaves an indelible mark on the world. Its legacy isn’t just in the innovations and landmarks it creates but in the conversations it sparks, the collaborations it fosters, and the hope it inspires for a better tomorrow.
EXPO 2027 Belgrade, like all Expos before it, will leave a powerful legacy. It will show the world that play—whether through sports, music, or innovation—is more than just entertainment. It’s a force for progress, human connection, and transformative change.