VISITING
Expo 2027 Belgrade
May 15 to August 15, 2027
Ninety-three days, 139 international participants confirmed so far and a single 25-hectare (62-acre) site on the banks of the Sava. Every Expo gives visitors the same challenge: far more to see than one day allows. A little planning turns a crowded day into a great one. Here is what you need to know before you go.
01 AT A GLANCE
Expo at a glance
CATEGORY
Recognized Expo, to be held under the 1928 Convention and overseen by the International Exhibitions Bureau (Bureau International des Expositions, BIE)
THEME
“Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All”
SUBTHEMES
Power of Play, Play for Progress, Play Together
LOCATION
Surčin, Belgrade, between New Belgrade and the Sava River, about 13.5 km (8.4 miles) from the city center
MASCOTS
Rastko and Milica
93
DAYS, MAY 15 TO AUGUST 15, 2027
139
INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS CONFIRMED (AS OF OCTOBER 2026)
4M+
More than 4 million expected visits
25 ha
EXPO SITE (62 ACRES)
5 km
FROM BELGRADE NIKOLA TESLA AIRPORT (3 MILES)
02 STATUS
What we don’t know yet
Seven months before opening, several key visitor details have not been published. The official website lists tickets as “available soon,” and the event calendar is still empty. Until then, buy tickets only through official Expo 2027 Belgrade channels.
LAST CHECKED: OCTOBER 8, 2026
Ticket prices and types
Where and when tickets go on sale
Daily opening hours
Bag policy and prohibited items
The pavilion map
National Day and Theme Week dates
Concert and sports calendar
Rail, bus and river schedules and fares
03 TIPS
Ten tips for a great visit
01
Plan for more than one day
Organizers expect about 45,000 visitors a day, with peaks near 67,000 and possibly 89,000 on holidays and major event days. Two days will let you see the Thematic Area and still explore the international pavilions at an easy pace.
02
Pick your dates wisely
Countries usually close their pavilions to the public on their National Day for official visits, and sometimes the next day to let staff rest, so visit around the National Day rather than on it. The official ceremonies are worth watching, are sometimes open to the public and frequently bring heads of state or government. Cultural events from that country also tend to multiply around its National Day.
03
Aim for the second month
During the first month, crowds will be much lighter, but several pavilions will not be fully running yet. By the last month, the Expo and its international pavilions will be in full swing, and so will the crowds. The second month, roughly mid-June to mid-July, will offer the best balance: the full Expo experience without the largest crowds.
04
Choose a theme week
The program will run in Theme Weeks: play and resilience, future visionaries, a sustainable future, innovators, an active society and peace. Dates are still to be announced.
05
Leave the car behind
A new Zemun-Airport-Expo rail line will stop about 850 meters (half a mile) from Entrance B, with a shuttle to Entrances A, B and C. New bus lines will link the airport and downtown, and a river service will reach Entrance C.
06
Arrive early, start with your must-sees
The site will be free-flow, with open avenues between pavilions. Head first to the pavilions at the top of your list before lines grow; save parks and playgrounds for the afternoon.
07
Eat your way around the world
More than 60 food and drink outlets, from quick bites to restaurants, plus pavilion cafés and shops. Some pavilions may offer free tastings of their national products.
08
Bring cards, know your dinars
Prices on site will be shown in Serbian dinars (RSD) with VAT included, and pavilions will accept cards. Carry some cash for transportation and small purchases in the city.
09
Use the visitor services
Visitor Services Centers will handle information and lost and found (bring a photo ID to claim items). Expect lockers, rentals, accessibility services and Wi-Fi across the site.
10
Make room for play
The theme is play, and visitors are meant to join in. Try padel or mini-basketball at Sport for All, play traditional games and find the Playground Earth areas.
04 WHAT TO SEE
Three areas, one free-flow site
Image: ©Copyright Expo 2027 Belgrade
THEMATIC AREA
The heart of the Expo story
Power of Play: why humans play and how play supports body and mind.
Play for Progress: the largest thematic pavilion, on play as a driver of science, art and technology.
Play Together: play as a force for community, home to the Auditorium (3,000 seats; 10,000 with the plaza).
Sport for All
A three-story venue for padel, badminton, mini-basketball and traditional games from around the world, with galleries on the history of physical play.
Image: ©Copyright Expo 2027 Belgrade
INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS AREA
The world in one walk
Countries and international organizations will present their cultures and ideas in individual pavilions and in collective pavilions grouped under shared themes. Pop-up stages will host performances throughout the day, and National Days will bring flag-raisings and cultural shows to the National Day Stage.
Serbia Pavilion
On the central Promenade; it will remain after the Expo as part of its legacy.
BEST PRACTICE AND CORPORATE AREA
Ideas in action
Pavilions featuring creators, scientists, artists and companies working on play, plus an outdoor stage for up to 10,000 standing spectators.
Daily programs
Music, theater, open-air cinema, contemporary art, poetry, workshops, talks and sports, with content designed for children and families.
Image: ©Copyright Expo 2027 Belgrade
05 GETTING TO BELGRADE
By air
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is about 5 km (3 miles) from the Expo Site, with more than 850 arriving flights a week from about 100 destinations. Constantine the Great Airport in Niš, about 250 km (155 miles) south, adds more international flights.
By road
Belgrade lies on routes E-70 and E-75, and the Expo Site sits on the city’s ring road. Approximate driving times: Budapest, 4 hours; Sofia, 4.5 hours; Skopje, 5 hours; Vienna, 6 hours.
Entry requirements
Serbia offers visa-free entry to citizens of many countries, including EU member states, the U.S. and China. Check the visa regime for your passport with Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and travel with health insurance.
DON’T MISS THIS
Register your stay within 24 hours
Foreign visitors must have their place of stay registered with the police within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels and paid rentals do it for you at check-in; if you stay with friends, your hosts must register you.
06 GETTING TO THE EXPO SITE
Just under half of all visitors are expected to arrive by car. Public transportation will be the smarter choice on busy days.
Urban railway
The station will be about 850 m (half a mile) from Entrance B; a circular shuttle will run to Entrances A, B and C.
Bus
Public buses will stop at Entrances B and C. New electric and fuel-cell lines will link the airport and downtown Belgrade.
River
A water service on the Sava will bring visitors to Entrance C, the most scenic arrival.
Bike or scooter
Dedicated bike lanes plus e-bike and scooter services.
Car
About 11,000 spaces in 12 lots, with smart parking that will show open spots in real time, plus drop-off zones for taxis and rideshares.
07 WHERE TO STAY
Book early
Belgrade has about 13,800 hotel beds and another 18,000 in short-term rentals, and its hotel sector plans to add 2,500 to 3,000 rooms before the Expo. Summer is peak season, especially around National Days and major events.
If Belgrade fills up, consider Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city; Irig and Fruška Gora National Park, a wine region; or Kragujevac and Aranđelovac, farther south.
08 WHEN TO GO, WHAT TO PACK
A Belgrade summer
The Expo will run through the warmest part of the year. July is the hottest month, and June brings the most rain. Weekdays outside holidays and major events should be the calmest days. Shaded queuing zones in front of pavilions will help on hot afternoons.
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Comfortable walking shoes
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Sun protection
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A refillable water bottle
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A light rain jacket
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Your passport
09 BEFORE THE EXPO OPENS
Get a head start
Playground
The pre-Expo space in Hall 5 of the Belgrade Fair, open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with exhibits, workshops, film screenings, talks and concerts.
Concerts
Eros Ramazzotti, Lenny Kravitz, Deep Purple and a Cirque du Soleil production have been announced for the months leading up to and during the Expo.
Expo Playmakers
The volunteer program is recruiting more than 20,000 volunteers. Applicants must be 18 by April 15, 2027, and available for at least 15 days.
BEYOND THE EXPO
Where the Sava meets the Danube
In summer, life moves to the river, with clubs and restaurants on rafts. Visit Kalemegdan Fortress, try Serbian wines and rakija, and explore more than 9,000 years of history, from Lepenski Vir and the Vinča culture to Roman, Byzantine, medieval Serbian, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian heritage.
SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY
Designed for everyone
Organizers plan first-aid stations staffed by medical professionals, ambulances on standby and a 24/7 security monitoring center. Pavilions are designed with multiple step-free entrances so every visitor will be able to reach every exhibition.
10 CHECKLIST
Your Expo checklist
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Check entry requirements and buy travel health insurance
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Book flights and accommodations early
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Buy tickets only from official channels
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Choose your route: rail, bus, river, bike or car
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Check National Day, Theme Week and event calendars
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Mark your must-see pavilions
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Pack for summer heat and the occasional shower
11 FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When will Expo 2027 Belgrade take place?
May 15 to August 15, 2027.
What kind of Expo is it?
A recognized Expo, organized under the 1928 Convention and overseen by the BIE. Recognized Expos are shorter and smaller than registered Expos, last up to three months and focus on a specific theme.
Where will it take place?
In Surčin, Belgrade, between New Belgrade and the Sava River, about 5 km (3 miles) from the airport.
How much will tickets cost?
Not announced yet. The official website lists tickets as “available soon.” We will add prices as soon as they are published.
What will the opening hours be?
Not announced yet.
How long should I plan to stay?
At least one full day; two or more to see the international pavilions and evening performances.
Will the Expo be good for children?
Yes. Play is the theme, and the program will include workshops, play areas and interactive activities for children and families.
Will the site be accessible?
Yes. Accessibility is a guiding principle, and pavilions are designed with step-free entrances.
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Expomuseum is an independent resource and is not affiliated with Expo 2027 Belgrade, the BIE or any participating country. Our tips reflect our own experience at past Expos and information published by the organizers as of October 8, 2026. Dates, schedules, transportation, prices and visitor rules may change, so always confirm details with the official Expo 2027 Belgrade website and the relevant authorities before you travel. Expomuseum is not responsible for decisions made based on this information.
SOURCES
Bureau International des Expositions. “Expo 2027 Belgrade.” Accessed October 8, 2026. https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/2027-belgrade.
Expo 2027 Belgrade. “About Expo 2027.” Accessed October 8, 2026. https://expobelgrade2027.org/en/about.
Expo 2027 Belgrade. “FAQ.” Accessed October 8, 2026. https://expobelgrade2027.org/en/contact.
Expo 2027 Belgrade. General Services Guidelines. Version 1.0. Belgrade: Expo 2027 Belgrade, October 2025.
Expo 2027 Belgrade. Guidelines on Entry, Work and Stay. Version 1.0. Belgrade: Expo 2027 Belgrade, October 2025.
Expo 2027 Belgrade. Guidelines on the Commercial Activities of Official Participants. Version 1.0. Belgrade: Expo 2027 Belgrade, October 2025.
Expo 2027 Belgrade. Participation Guide. Belgrade: Expo 2027 Belgrade, June 2025.
Expo 2027 Belgrade. “Playground.” Accessed October 8, 2026. https://expobelgrade2027.org/en/experience/playground.
Expo 2027 Belgrade. “Programme.” Accessed October 8, 2026. https://expobelgrade2027.org/en/experience/programme.
Expo 2027 Belgrade. Theme Guide for Official Participants. Belgrade: Expo 2027 Belgrade, June 2025.