Why EXPO 2027 Belgrade Is the Most Exciting Expo You Can’t Miss
- 1. The Next Expo Is About “Play”: A Full Look at EXPO 2027 Belgrade, Serbia
- 2. Basic Information About EXPO 2027 Belgrade
- 3. Serbia Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo
- 4. Why It’s Getting Attention: 3 Key Features of EXPO 2027 Serbia
- 5. The Venue as a Future City
- 6. Notable Pavilions and Experiences
- 7. Japan Pavilion at EXPO 2027
- 8. Shows and Events
- 9. Is It Worth Visiting for Japanese Travelers?
- 10. Summary
The Next Expo Is About “Play”: A Full Look at EXPO 2027 Belgrade, Serbia
After the Osaka-Kansai Expo, many people may be curious about upcoming expos held overseas.
The next stage is Europe—Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
EXPO 2027 Belgrade, scheduled for 2027, is centered around a theme that sets it apart from previous expos.
That theme is “Play.”
At first glance, it may sound light, but in fact it is an extremely important keyword when thinking about the future of society. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of the Serbia Expo, its highlights, and why it’s gaining attention now.
*Image sources: Official Belgrade Expo website and pamphlets
Basic Information About EXPO 2027 Belgrade
First, let’s go over the overview.
EXPO 2027 Belgrade will be held for approximately three months, from May 15 to August 15, 2027.
The duration is 93 days, with an expected 4 million visitors and participation from over 120 countries.
The venue is Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. This will be the first expo held in the western Balkans, making it a historic event for the region.
Compared to the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the scale is somewhat more compact.
This is because the Belgrade Expo is a BIE-recognized exposition (often called a “Specialized Expo” or mini expo), which has different rules than Registered Expos like Osaka.
One such rule is the venue size limit of 25 hectares.
In comparison, Osaka-Kansai Expo spans 155 hectares—about six times larger. It’s even about half the size of USJ or Disneyland.
On the other hand, pavilions from different countries will be located close together, making it easy to visit many countries with minimal walking.
By the way, the next Registered Expo will be EXPO 2030 Riyadh.
For the latest information, see the following article:
Where Is Belgrade, Serbia?
Serbia is located inland to the east of the Italian Peninsula, across the Adriatic Sea.
It lies southeast of Austria.
The capital, Belgrade, is located in southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula.
It sits at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, making it a major transportation hub.
Surrounded by countries such as Hungary, Croatia, and Romania, it is known as a crossroads of European cultures.
There are no direct flights from Japan. Common routes involve transit via Dubai (UAE), Doha (Qatar), or Istanbul (Turkey).
Serbia Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo
Before diving deeper into EXPO 2027, let’s look at the Serbia Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
Even during Osaka, many exhibits were themed around play.
The combination of analog and digital elements—like a “PythagoraSwitch”-style mechanism—was particularly engaging.
There was also a creative section where visitors could design characters that would later appear at EXPO 2027 Belgrade.
It’s exciting to wonder which pavilion will feature those characters again.
Why It’s Getting Attention: 3 Key Features of EXPO 2027 Serbia
① Theme: “Play for Humanity”
The biggest feature of EXPO 2027 is its theme:
“Play for Humanity.”
Play is not just entertainment—it is seen as a universal element that connects people across cultures, generations, and borders.
It also fosters creativity and contributes to social progress.
While past expos have focused on themes like “technology,” “environment,” and “future society,” this expo emphasizes a more human and experiential perspective.
② Experience-Driven and Immersive Expo
EXPO 2027 will move beyond traditional display-based exhibitions, focusing on interactive and participatory experiences.
With interactive exhibits combining digital technology and real spaces, as well as sports activities, visitors will not just “see” but actively “participate” in experiencing the future.
Examples include projection experiences themed around play, physical activities, and programs blending music and sports—creating a theme park-like atmosphere.
The Venue as a Future City
The expo site is more than just an exhibition space.
Centered around the expo complex, it includes national pavilions, themed zones,交流施設 (interaction facilities), and an Expo Village with accommodation—forming a layout like a small city.
Visitors can move through the venue while enjoying diverse cultures and experiences, creating a “journey around the world.”
The Expo Village, similar to an Olympic athlete village, provides accommodation for staff and participants adjacent to the venue.
Notable Pavilions and Experiences
Multiple experience zones will be developed based on the theme.
A key highlight is the pavilion focused on “The Power of Play,” where visitors can learn how play drives creativity and innovation through hands-on experiences.
In the “Play Together” zone, sports and music-based interactions will naturally encourage communication among visitors.
Forums will also be held where experts and general visitors can exchange ideas and discuss the future of society.
The expo integrates “experience, interaction, and discussion,” rather than just displaying exhibits.
Participating Countries
According to the official website, the following countries are listed.
Notably, Nauru—popular on social media during the Osaka Expo—will also participate.
Slovakia, Nauru, South Korea, Monaco, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, China, Vanuatu, Liberia, Madagascar, Seychelles, Turkey, Burundi, Djibouti, Gambia, Sudan, Eswatini, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Ecuador, Montenegro, Saint Lucia, Lesotho, Zambia, Azerbaijan, Tanzania, Belarus, Equatorial Guinea, Uzbekistan, Russia, Comoros, Ethiopia, Cuba, Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, São Tomé and Príncipe, Ghana, Tajikistan, Uganda, Antigua and Barbuda, Kyrgyzstan, Algeria, Nepal, Belize, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Niger, Somalia, Iraq, Qatar, Guinea, Kiribati, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Solomon Islands, Georgia, Cyprus, Libya, Tunisia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Cape Verde, Chad, Grenada, Greece, Fiji, Germany, Italy, Togo, Armenia, Yemen, Suriname, Mali, Palau, Micronesia, Israel, South Africa
Japan Pavilion at EXPO 2027
The theme for the Japan Pavilion has been announced as:
“Playing Together, Connecting Hearts – The Spirit of Japanese Play.”
Shows and Events
In addition to exhibitions, there will be a wide range of events.
Music stages will feature performances from solo acts to large orchestras, while sports programs will include participatory competitions and experiences.
Interactive challenges where visitors attempt records are also planned, emphasizing a shift from “watching” to “participating.”
Is It Worth Visiting for Japanese Travelers?
In conclusion: absolutely yes.
For those who experienced the Osaka Expo, simply being in a space where people from around the world gather is deeply moving.
Many countries not present at Osaka will participate in Belgrade, offering new discoveries.
Since an expo themed around “play” is rare, it may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Combining it with a European trip also makes it especially attractive.
How to Get There
The venue is located near Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG).
From Japan (Narita or Kansai), there are no direct flights.
Travel typically takes 16–17 hours via Istanbul or about 20 hours via Dubai.
From the airport, it’s about a 15-minute taxi ride to the venue, and about 30 minutes to the city center.
Uber is not available. Apps like CarGo or Pink Taxi Beograd are recommended to avoid overcharging.
Summary
EXPO 2027 Belgrade is an expo that envisions the future through the lens of “play.”
With immersive experiences, integration with urban development, and a theme that connects people, it offers a new kind of expo experience.
The next-generation expo following Osaka—
why not experience its evolution firsthand?
Theme park expert in Universal Studios Japan and Expo 2025 Osaka. CEO of Happyell Inc. and Editor-in-Chief of Theme Park Media Happyell. Visiting USJ for 25+ years, Crystal Rank member, sharing guides and crowd forecasts.