Expo 2025 Osaka nears its grand opening date in April, with additional expos in the pipeline
by Jim Ogul
World’s Fairs and Specialized Expos are major attractions. In this century so far, there have been five World’s Fairs and three Specialized Expos. The combined investment by the countries hosting these events totals over $24 billion and the combined attendance totals more than 176 million visits. Looking ahead, two World’s Fairs and one Specialized Expo are on the docket.
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Scheduled to open April 13, 2025, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, will bring 170 national pavilions and international organizations together under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The Expo site is a busy place at this time with pavilions at various stages of construction. Spanning a 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) circumference, the ring wall surrounding the site is completed.
Innovative pavilion designs
One of the standout features of all World’s Fairs is the innovative and sustainable designs of the pavilion.
The USA Pavilion, designed by Trahan Architects, will use structural components from temporary structures built for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. At the end of Expo 2025, these same materials will move on to be used at future events. With its theme “Imagine What We Can Create Together,” the pavilion will feature exhibits designed by BRC Imagination Arts.
The UK Pavilion, designed by WOO architects, will emphasize sustainability with its easy to disassemble and relocatable structure. This modular design aligns with the theme “Come Build the Future,” showcasing the U.K.’s commitment to circular economy principles.
The France Pavilion, designed by Coldefy and Carlo Ratti Associati, will offer a journey through a garden that reveals itself during the visit. Titled “A Hymn to Love,” the pavilion will highlight France’s cultural, scientific, and sustainable contributions.
Germany’s Wa! Germany Pavilion, designed by LAVA Architects, will focus on the circular economy, featuring interactive exhibits and cultural programs that inspire sustainable practices and innovation.
Corporate pavilions
Corporate pavilions will play a significant role at Expo 2025, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovations. Notable examples include the Blue Ocean Dome by Shigeru Ban, constructed from sustainable materials like paper tubes and bamboo. These pavilions will provide insights into the future of various industries, including technology, sustainability, and healthcare.
Projected attendance and demographics
Expo 2025 is expected to attract approximately 28.2 million visits with around 3.5 million coming from overseas. To date over 5 million advance tickets have been sold. The majority of domestic visitors are anticipated to come from within the Kansai region which includes the prefectures of Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hydogo and Shi.
Transportation: Getting there and back
Access to the Expo will utilize an extension of the Hokko Technoport Line from Cosmosquare Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line. Direct shuttle buses will operate from major railway stations like JR Yumesaki Line’s Sakurajima Station and Kansai International Airport. Private vehicles will park at lots outside the venue and transfer to buses using the “Park and Ride” system. Other access options, such as water transport via boat, are also being considered.
A look back and forward
The previous Expo, Expo 2020 Dubai, attracted 24 million visits and featured pavilions from 192 countries. It highlighted themes of sustainability, mobility, and opportunity, and set a high bar for future Expos with its unique architecture and residual use plan.
Looking ahead, the Bureau International des Expositions has designated Specialized Expo 2027 to be held in Belgrade, Serbia, and a World’s Fair, Expo 2030, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Expo 2027 Belgrade
This Specialized Expo will run from May 15 to August 15, 2027. The central theme “Play for Humanity” emphasizes the universal importance of play, sports, and music in fostering human connection and development. It’s a significant milestone for Serbia, being the first time a specialized expo is held in the country and the Western Balkan region. With over 120 countries expected to participate, Specialized Expo 2027 will feature a diverse array of pavilions and exhibits spread across a 25-hectare (61.8-acre) site.
Expo 2030 Riyadh
Expo 2030 Riyadh, themed “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow,” is scheduled to run from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031. This World Expo will focus on three main subthemes: A Different Tomorrow, Climate Action, and Prosperity for All.
The Expo will be held in the north of Riyadh, close to King Khalid International Airport. It’s expected to attract around 40 million site visits. Organizers hope to attract 246 participants, including country pavilions, international organizations, and non-official participants. The Expo will cover an area of 6 million square meters.
Global celebrations
World’s Fairs are not just about presenting innovations, they are about promoting global unity and understanding with their diverse range of pavilions and themes. World’s Fairs offer visitors a chance to explore different cultures, learn about new technologies, and get a glimpse of a sustainable future. Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai; Expo 2027 Belgrade; and Expo 2030 Riyadh will each in their own way carry on this tradition dating back to the first World’s Fair that took place in London in 1851. •
