Five countries are in the running to host Specialised Expo 2027/28: the United States of America (in Minnesota), Thailand (in Phuket), Serbia (in Belgrade), Spain (in Malaga), and Argentina (in San Carlos de Bariloche). The host country will be elected by Members States of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) during the Organisation’s 172nd General Assembly, taking place on June 21.
The United States’ candidature is for a Specialised Expo in Minnesota between May 15 and August 15 2027 under the theme “Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Wellness and Well-Being for All”.
Thailand’s candidature is for a Specialised Expo in Phuket between March 20 and June 17 2028 under the theme “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity”.
Serbia’s candidature is for a Specialised Expo in Belgrade between May 15 and August 15 2027 under the theme “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All”.
Spain’s candidature is for a Specialised Expo in Malaga between June 5 and September 5 2027 under the theme “The Urban Era: towards the Sustainable City”.
Argentina’s candidature is for a Specialised Expo in San Carlos de Bariloche between February 1 and April 30 2027 under the theme “Nature + Technology = Sustainable Energy. A viable future for humanity”.
On June 21, starting at 9.30am CEST, each of the five candidates will make final presentations of their Expo projects to the 172nd General Assembly of the BIE. Eligible and present Member States of the BIE, represented by government-appointed delegates, will then vote for the Specialised Expo 2027/28 host country. Each Member State has one vote, in a secret ballot using electronic voting.
In any round of voting, the host country is elected if it receives a two thirds majority of the votes of present and eligible Member States. If no candidate is elected outright, further ballots are organised and the candidate with the least votes is eliminated after each round. If only two candidates are left, the candidate that receives a simple majority of votes cast will obtain the right to host the next Specialised Expo.
Expos are global events that explore a chosen theme through engaging and immersive discoveries. Among the different categories of Expos, Specialised Expos are designed to respond to a precise challenge facing humanity and may take place in the interval between two World Expos. Specialised Expos are limited in terms of duration – lasting up to three months – and space – with the exhibition area not exceeding 25 hectares. The site is entirely built by the Organiser, Participants being provided with pavilion space.
The most recent Specialised Expo, Expo 2017 Astana, took place in the capital of Kazakhstan under the theme “Future Energy”, and received almost 4 million visits.
