Serbia’s flagship infrastructure project is moving into its final phase. The Belgrade Expo 2027 site, under construction along the Sava riverbank in Surčin, is on schedule to hand over country pavilion spaces to participating nations by the end of 2026, ahead of the exposition’s official opening on 15 May 2027.
Serbian authorities confirmed in October 2026 that the core infrastructure - the central promenade, Expo Village accommodation blocks, and the new National Stadium - is structurally complete. Interior fit-out work and landscaping across the 65-hectare site are continuing through the autumn, with the final snag list expected to clear in the first quarter of 2027.
What Is Being Built
The exposition complex includes several elements relevant to long-term visitors and travellers passing through Belgrade:
The National Stadium seats 52,000 and replaces the decades-old Marakana as Serbia’s primary venue for international football and large-scale events. It will host matches under the operating name of its commercial sponsor, though Serbian football authorities have confirmed it will be UEFA-certified for European qualification stages from autumn 2027 onward.
The Expo Village comprises residential blocks along the Sava waterfront, purpose-built to house participants during the 2027 exposition. After Expo closes, the village converts to a mixed residential and hotel development, extending the Belgrade Waterfront project westward and adding several hundred units to the city’s accommodation stock.
The Aquatic Centre, built to international competition standards, will become a permanent public and professional facility after Expo closes. Belgrade has not had a competition-grade 50-metre pool since the 1970s; this fills a long-standing gap in the city’s sporting infrastructure.
What This Means for Travellers in 2027
Expo 2027 is expected to attract significant visitor numbers to Belgrade between May and October 2027, with Serbian authorities projecting up to 10 million visits over the six-month run. That scale will affect hotel availability and pricing across the city. For travellers already planning Belgrade trips in 2027, particularly in the May to August window, booking accommodation well in advance is advisable.
The Expo theme - “Play for the Planet” - focuses on sustainability and sport, and the site’s location between the Belgrade Waterfront development and Ada Ciganlija lake puts it within reach of the city’s most popular outdoor spaces. A shuttle connection from Belgrade central station is planned.
The Wider Belgrade Context
The Expo construction coincides with a sustained period of hotel investment in the Serbian capital. An InterContinental property in the Delta District is approaching completion, and a Swissotel project is under way along the Danube. Combined with the Expo site, Belgrade is adding more internationally branded accommodation in 2026–2027 than in any previous period.
For travellers planning a Belgrade visit before Expo opens, 2026 remains a quieter window. The Belgrade guide covers the current state of the city in detail, including the Waterfront area and what is already open. Our Serbia travel costs guide has current pricing for accommodation, transport, and food. The Belgrade vs Zagreb comparison is useful if you are weighing your Balkans base options for 2027.