Saudi Arabia’s capital is preparing to take center stage on the global calendar, as the official masterplan for Expo 2030 Riyadh has just been revealed. Slated to run from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031, the World Expo is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious events the Kingdom has ever hosted, with a projected 40 million in-person visitors and over a billion virtual attendees logging in from around the world.

Following its successful bid in 2023, where Riyadh beat Rome and Busan with 119 out of 173 votes, the city is now ramping up preparations for the global spectacle. The project has already received a massive SAR 29 billion (USD $7.8 billion) investment. Earlier this week the Public Investment Fund announced the formation of a subsidiary Expo 2030 Riyadh Co (ERC) to bring to life the six-month mega-event, with Talal Al-Marri heading the company as its CEO.

A city within a city

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The Expo site will span over six million square meters in northern Riyadh, nestled between the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) and King Khalid International Airport. Designed to integrate seamlessly with the capital’s expanding metro and bus networks, the venue is being developed to handle the kind of crowds usually seen at major pilgrimage sites.

In a nod to Saudi heritage, the masterplan draws from the country’s oasis and rawdah garden landscapes; a thoughtful blend of tradition and innovation. Out of the total site, 2.6 million square meters will be dedicated to infrastructure and services, ensuring smooth operations and long-term legacy use.

Zones for the future

The Expo’s theme "The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow" will come to life across five core thematic zones:

Saudi Arabia Zone: A celebration of national transformation, showcasing the goals and achievements of Vision 2030.

Innovation and Technology Zone: Dedicated to digital transformation, AI, and future-facing tech.

Sustainability Zone: Focused on climate innovation, renewable energy, and environmental breakthroughs.

Inclusive Communities Zone: Highlighting accessibility, wellbeing, and social cohesion.

International Collaboration Zone: A platform for global partnerships and shared prosperity.

Beyond the Expo

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What happens after 2031? The Expo site won’t fade into the desert—plans are already in place to transform it into a permanent Global Village, hosting international events, cultural showcases, concerts, food festivals, and exhibitions long after the six-month fair concludes.

With Riyadh already hosting major events like Riyadh Season, the Esports World Cup, and major art exhibitions, Expo 2030 is set to cement the city’s reputation as one of the Middle East’s most exciting cultural capitals.

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