In 2027, the Serbian capital of Belgrade will host a world expo.
EXPO 2027 Belgrade — a Specialised Expo running the same year as Japan's GREEN×EXPO 2027 in Yokohama, and almost exactly at the same time.
I started looking into it out of curiosity… and couldn't stop. The rabbit hole goes deep.
Can I actually go? Honestly, probably not. My work schedule in May–August 2027 is going to be brutal. But the more I researched, the more I wanted to go — and somehow I ended up writing this whole article about it.
The expo obsession is real, and it is dangerous.
What Is a Specialised Expo, Anyway?
First things first, because "Specialised Expo" is a term that trips a lot of people up.
There are two main categories of world expo: Registered Expositions (the big ones) and Specialised Expositions (smaller, theme-focused events held between the large-scale expos).
The 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo and the upcoming 2030 Riyadh World Expo are Registered Expositions — massive, multi-year productions with broad themes covering humanity's future. A Specialised Expo, by contrast, is more compact and built around a single focused theme.
"Compact" is a relative term, though. EXPO 2027 Belgrade has already secured 137 country commitments (as of late April 2026, per the official site) — well above the 117 that attended the 2017 Astana Specialised Expo. This is not a small event.
It's also a historic first: this will be the first ever expo held in the Western Balkans.
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade |
| Dates | May 15 – August 15, 2027 (93 days) |
| Location | Belgrade, Serbia — near Nikola Tesla International Airport |
| Site Area | Approx. 25 hectares |
| Theme | Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All |
| Expected Visitors | Approx. 4.1 million (official) / up to 6 million+ (BIE) |
| Expected Events | 8,000+ across the 93-day run |
| Participating Countries | 137 (as of late April 2026) |
| Official Mascots | Rastko & Milica |
| Official Ambassador | Usain Bolt (first ambassador) |
The three-month run is noticeably shorter than a Registered Exposition (the Osaka Expo ran for about six months). That's typical for a Specialised Expo — and it means your window to visit is shorter.
If reading that made you feel a sense of urgency, welcome. You now understand how expo addiction works.
The Theme: "Play" Across Three Pavilions
"Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All"
The concept is that play — in the forms of sport and music — isn't just entertainment. It's fundamental to human progress, connection, and happiness. The venue will house three thematic pavilions that bring this idea to life.
Power of Play Pavilion
A pavilion exploring how play shapes learning, problem-solving, and human development. Sensory experiences, experiments in technology and art, and interactive exhibits demonstrating the science behind play.
Play for Progress Pavilion
From the discovery of fire to the latest tech revolutions, this pavilion shows how playful curiosity has driven human progress. Experiments in motion, sound, and creativity, alongside stories of inventors and scientists who turned play into history-making achievements.
Play Together Pavilion
A pavilion that highlights the social power of play through sport, music, and creative collaboration — teamwork, cooperation, and connections that bridge generations and cultures.
There's also The Forum, a space where experts, thought leaders, and visitors come together to discuss the future of play. So it's not just exhibitions — it's a place for dialogue too.
Imagining 137 countries' interpretations of "play" all in one place… it sounds genuinely wonderful.
Official Mascots: Rastko & Milica
The official mascots of EXPO 2027 Belgrade are the duo Rastko and Milica — names deeply rooted in Serbian culture, chosen by public vote with around 100,000 Serbian citizens taking part.
- Rastko: symbolises growth, progress, and innovation
- Milica: represents warmth, kindness, and harmony
The official line calls them the "Superheroes of Play".
The detail I personally loved most: there's an official "meeting of the mascots" episode where Rastko & Milica met Myaku-Myaku, the mascot of the 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo. EXPO 2027 announced it as "Friendship at first sight" — a sweet little baton-pass moment from one expo era to the next.
Official Ambassador: Usain Bolt
The first ambassador is the fastest man in the world: Usain Bolt.
For a Specialised Expo themed around "sport and music," it's hard to imagine a better fit. As global messenger for the "play for humanity" message, Bolt will help carry the expo's spirit out into the world ahead of the opening.
What kind of campaigns and appearances athlete-ambassadors will create around a sport-themed expo — that's another thing to look forward to.
Venue Highlights
The venue covers about 25 hectares, organised into three areas: international pavilions, themed zones, and a corporate exhibition area.
The Giant Dome
The centrepiece of the expo will be a huge dome-shaped structure at the heart of the venue — destined to become the iconic image of EXPO 2027 the way Osaka's Grand Roof Ring became the symbol of the 2025 Expo. A landmark worth photographing from every angle.
Serbia National Stadium (52,000 capacity)
A brand-new national stadium with a 52,000-person capacity is being built right next to the expo site. Together with an Aquatic centre and the Expo Village, it forms part of a larger Urban Masterplan unified by a central landscaped promenade. With "sport and music" as the expo's theme, expect plenty of related events spilling out beyond the gates.
Pre-EXPO Urban Interventions
The lead-up to 2027 has already begun in Belgrade. Across the city, Guerrilla Micro Playgrounds (playful murals and hopscotch-style patterns), Walk to EXPO (sidewalks turned into playful pathways toward the venue), and City Patch (eco-friendly repairs to walls, facades, and pavements) are transforming public space. Artists like LeCyclop and Nespoon have joined in, and the whole city is gradually slipping into "expo mode."
International Pavilions & Food
With 137 countries participating, you couldn't realistically visit every pavilion in a single day. How many days would you actually need? Each pavilion is expected to include restaurants or cafes serving traditional dishes from that country — and those alone would take several days to work through.
Trying food from all over the world without leaving one venue. This is my favourite thing about any expo.
Recent Participation Updates (2026)
A few of the most recent country commitments and announcements (per official news):
- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (signed April 20, 2026)
- Republic of Austria (signed April 17, 2026)
- State of Libya (signed February 13, 2026)
- Iran (national pavilion logo unveiled February 4, 2026)
- State of Israel (signed February 2, 2026)
- United Kingdom (Chamber of Commerce MOU, February 2, 2026)
- Republic of Nauru (announced January 26, 2026 — the world's smallest island state)
The participant list will keep updating as the expo approaches.
The Japan Pavilion
Japan has officially confirmed participation, and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released the Japan Pavilion Basic Plan on October 27, 2025.
- Japan Pavilion Theme: "Play Together, Connect — The Japanese Spirit of Play"
- Concept: A response to Serbia's "play" exhibit at the 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo. The pavilion carries the Osaka legacy of "Designing Future Society for Our Lives" and "Unity in Diversity" forward into the theme of "play."
- Content: Showcasing the many forms of "play" passed down through generations in Japanese society, from the past to the present
- Source: METI press release (Japanese, 2025-10-27)
The Japan Pavilion at the Osaka Expo had a really strong reputation, and expectations for Belgrade are high.
Getting There
From Japan
There are no direct flights from Japan to Belgrade (as of now). You'll need at least one connection.
| Via | Airlines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| European hub | Lufthansa, Air France, Austrian Airlines, etc. | Connections through Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Vienna |
| Istanbul | Turkish Airlines | Frequent connections, convenient transfer |
| Middle East hub | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad | Via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi — known for comfort on long-haul flights |
Total journey time including connection: roughly 15–20 hours. A flat bed would be very welcome by the end of it.
You arrive at Belgrade Nikola Tesla International Airport (BEG).
From Europe
Belgrade is well-connected by air from most major European cities, with direct flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome, and many more. Travel times from Western Europe are typically 2–3 hours. Budget carriers including Ryanair and Wizz Air serve Belgrade from various European destinations.
If you're already in Europe during summer 2027, the barrier to visiting is genuinely low.
From the Airport to the Venue
Here's the best part: the venue is right next to the airport. After a long journey, you won't have to figure out a complicated connection into the city centre.
- Rail: A new railway line connecting central Belgrade, the airport, and the expo venue is planned to open by spring 2027
- Electric shuttle buses: 50 shuttle buses are planned to run from various points across the city
- Air taxi (!): The Serbian government is also planning to introduce flying vehicles as a transport option. Futuristic.
I genuinely want to ride the air taxi just to say I did.
Practical Information for Visitors
Weather
May through August in Belgrade is full summer. Temperatures frequently exceed 30°C (86°F), and it can get genuinely hot.
Come prepared:
- A UV-blocking parasol or sun umbrella (a regular dark umbrella just absorbs heat — speaking from painful experience at the Osaka Expo)
- Comfortable walking shoes — the venue is large and you will cover a lot of ground
- Light, breathable clothing
- Plenty of hydration
Currency
Serbia's currency is the dinar (RSD). Credit cards are widely accepted at the expo venue and most tourist-facing establishments in Belgrade, so you won't necessarily need a lot of cash. Having some local currency for smaller purchases is always a good idea.
Getting Around Belgrade
Belgrade's city centre is served by trams, buses, and taxis. Ride-hailing apps operate in the city. The new rail line connecting the airport to the centre (planned for 2027) should make getting around significantly easier during the expo period.
Sightseeing in Belgrade
Belgrade is a beautiful, historically layered city at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. If you're combining the expo with tourism, the highlights are:
- Kalemegdan Fortress — a sweeping medieval fortress with panoramic views over the rivers
- Saint Sava Cathedral — one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world
- Skadarlija — Belgrade's bohemian quarter, full of traditional restaurants and live music
- Ada Ciganlija — a river island that turns into a beach in summer
The fact that this expo gives you an excuse to explore a city most people haven't visited yet is a major part of its appeal.
My Honest Take
I want to go. I probably won't make it.
The timing is rough. EXPO 2027 Belgrade runs May through August — and that's smack in the middle of GREEN×EXPO 2027 in Yokohama (March through September). Both expos, same year, completely overlapping. Trying to do both would mean an international trip on top of multiple Yokohama trips, all within the same six months. My wallet would not survive. My body might not either.
But every time I imagine 137 countries gathering around the theme of "play" — sport, music, games, culture — the urge to book flights gets a little stronger.
One of the things I learned from the Osaka Expo was "eat it when you see it." The broader version of that lesson is: go when you can go. You rarely regret attending. You almost always regret skipping.
I'm going to stare at my calendar a little longer and see if there's a way.
Information in this article is current as of May 2026. Details will be updated as announcements are made — please check the official EXPO 2027 Belgrade website (expobelgrade2027.org) for the latest.
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