Expo 2020

What Expo 2020 does

Expo 2020 Dubai was a six-month World Expo event run from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 on a 4.38 sqkm purpose-built smart site in Dubai South (Jebel Ali), hosted by EXPO DUBAI 2020 LLC-SO under Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) sanction. It was the first World Expo held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, anchored by three thematic districts (Sustainability, Mobility, Opportunity), the Al Wasl Plaza dome and the 45,000 sqm Dubai Exhibition Centre, and featured 192 country pavilions, 200+ participants, over 200 food and beverage outlets, more than 60 live shows per day, and 24.1 million visits from 178 countries. Supporting infrastructure included a dedicated Expo Metro station (capacity ~22,000 pax/hour/direction), a solar-driven green hydrogen electrolysis facility built with DEWA and Siemens Energy, and digital platforms such as Virtual Expo Dubai and a Business Matchmaking app. The event was staffed by a peak construction workforce of around 40,000 workers across more than 100 projects and backed by an extensive tiered partner stack of Premier Partners, Official Partners and Official Providers across technology, finance, logistics, hospitality, energy and consumer goods.

The business model combined several revenue streams: tiered ticket sales (standard, youth/student discounted, and complimentary for under-5s, seniors 60+, and People of Determination) distributed via the official website, onsite box offices and an authorised reseller network of travel agents and MICE companies; Premier and Official Partner sponsorship and licensing deals (Accenture, Cisco, DP World, Emirates NBD, Etisalat, Emirates, G42, Mastercard, Nissan, PepsiCo, SAP, Siemens, Terminus, DEWA and Siemens Energy at the Premier tier); venue and facility rental at the Dubai Exhibition Centre; official licensed merchandise sold via Amazon.ae and approved UAE retailers; and authorised reseller commissions. Go-to-market was event-driven: global media and diplomatic outreach, B2B matchmaking programmes, business events and forums (Business Connect Centre), the Expo Live global innovation grant programme, school group engagement (over 1 million school visits), and tourism/MICE partnerships. Following closure on 31 March 2022, the site transitioned into Expo City Dubai, a permanent mixed-use smart-city legacy entity in which roughly 80% of Expo-built structures were repurposed.

Name

Expo 2020

Legal name

EXPO DUBAI 2020 LLC. -SO

Website

https://expo2020dubai.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Expo 2020 Dubai was a six-month World Expo (October 2021 to March 2022) on a 4.38 sqkm site in Dubai South, hosting 192 country pavilions and 24.1 million visits. It monetised ticketing, Premier/Official Partner sponsorships, Dubai Exhibition Centre rentals and licensed merchandise, and transitioned into Expo City Dubai.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Exhibition and Event Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

General Consumer Expos & Trade Shows (MPAGAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technology & Innovation Expos Organizers (THAHABAE)

Keywords

• World expo events
• International exhibitions
• Business matchmaking
• Venue rental services
• Cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Expo 2020 Dubai generated revenue through the sale of admission tickets across multiple ticket types including single-entry, multi-day, discounted youth/senior tickets, and complimentary tickets for children under 5, Persons of Determination, and seniors 60+. Ticket sales were available through direct sales points, the official website, and Authorized Resellers.
2. Official Merchandise and Licensing: Sale of Expo 2020-branded licensed merchandise including keepsakes, plush toys, apparel, stationery, beauty products, and collectibles through an online store and approved UAE retailers, both online and in-store.
3. Venue and Facility Rental: The Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) with 45,000 sqm of event space was available for conferences, exhibitions, product launches, gala dinners, award ceremonies, and weddings, generating revenue from facility rental and related services.
4. Partner Sponsorship and Licensing: Revenue from Premier Partners, Official Partners, and Official Providers who paid for association with Expo 2020, including naming rights, branding presence, and exclusivity arrangements across technology, logistics, hospitality, energy, and other categories.
5. Authorised Ticket Reseller Commissions: Travel agents and MICE companies sold tickets with value-added travel and visitor services and received commissions for ticket sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Expo 2020 Dubai was a six-month World Expo event held from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 on a 4.38 sqkm site in Dubai South, hosting 24.1 million visits from 178 countries. Core offerings comprised themed experiences across three districts (Sustainability, Mobility, Opportunity), 192 country pavilions, 200+ dining outlets, daily live entertainment, and supporting programmes such as Business Matchmaking, Expo Live innovation grants, the Global Best Practice Programme, and licensed merchandise. The Dubai Exhibition Centre provided 45,000 sqm of venue rental space, and the site transitioned into Expo City Dubai as a post-event smart-city legacy.

Product overview

Expo 2020 Dubai is a World Expo event that ran from October 2021 to March 2022, hosting 24.1 million visits across its 4.38 sqkm site in Dubai South. The core offering comprises three thematic districts (Sustainability, Mobility, Opportunity), over 200 dining outlets serving 50+ cuisines, country pavilions, and daily entertainment. Key venues include the Al Wasl Plaza dome and the Dubai Exhibition Centre with 45,000 sqm of event space. Post-event, the site transitioned to Expo City Dubai as a smart city. Supporting services include Business Matchmaking, the Expo Live Grants Programme supporting innovators, the Global Best Practice Programme, and Virtual Expo Dubai for remote access. Merchandise is available through an online store on Amazon UAE and approved retailers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Expo 2020 Dubai Event Flagship six-month World Expo event held from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, attracting 24.1 million visits from 178 countries and featuring three thematic districts (Sustainability, Mobility, Opportunity), 192 country pavilions, 200+ dining outlets, and 60+ daily live shows.
• Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) Venue Rental State-of-the-art venue with 45,000 sqm of dedicated event space available for conferences, exhibitions, product launches, gala dinners, award ceremonies, and weddings. Includes DEC South Complex (28,000 sqm, nine halls) and DEC North Complex (17,000 sqm, five halls), plus 24 meeting rooms.
• Business Matchmaking Service B2B matchmaking platform that connects businesses with other businesses during Expo, facilitating connections between start-ups, multinationals, and participating countries through the Business Connect Centre and a dedicated matchmaking app.
• Expo Live Global Innovation Grants Programme Global innovation grant programme offering funding, support, and exposure to innovators whose creative solutions impact societies and environments, having reached 5.8M+ people through its grants.
• Virtual Expo Dubai Platform Digital platform enabling virtual access to Expo 2020 Dubai content, pavilions, and experiences for global audiences unable to attend physically.
• Official Expo 2020 Merchandise Licensed Expo 2020-branded merchandise including keepsakes, plush toys, apparel, stationery, beauty products, and collectibles sold through the official Amazon.ae online store and approved UAE retailers, both online and in physical stores.
• Expo Passport Souvenir Programme Souvenir booklet programme documenting a visitor's journey across the Expo 2020 pavilions, incentivising repeat pavilion visits and acting as a keepsake.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24.1 million visits from 178 countries during the six-month event
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, premier partner, official provider and official partner.

• Expo CitycoreOthers · 31 March 2022The Expo 2020 Dubai site transitioned into Expo City — an integrated mixed-use human-centric smart city carrying on Expo's founding vision. 80% of Expo-built buildings found new life in this successor development.
• Accenturepremier partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Accenture served as an Official Premier Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, contributing to the delivery of one of the most innovative World Expos in history.
• Ciscopremier partnerTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2021Cisco served as an Official Premier Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, providing technology infrastructure and networking capabilities for the event.
• DP Worldpremier partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021DP World served as an Official Premier Partner, leveraging its global trade and logistics expertise to support Expo 2020's international operations.
• Emirates NBDpremier partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Emirates NBD served as an Official Premier Partner, contributing financial services expertise to the Expo 2020 ecosystem.
• Etisalatpremier partnerTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2021Etisalat served as an Official Premier Partner, providing telecommunications and connectivity infrastructure for the Expo site.
• Emiratespremier partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Emirates Airlines served as an Official Premier Partner, facilitating global visitor access to Expo 2020 Dubai as the flagship airline of the UAE.
• G42premier partnerTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2021G42 (Group 42) served as an Official Premier Partner, contributing advanced technology and AI capabilities to Expo 2020's smart site infrastructure.
• Mastercardpremier partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Mastercard served as an Official Premier Partner, providing payment technology and transaction infrastructure for Expo 2020 Dubai.
• Nissanpremier partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Nissan served as an Official Premier Partner, contributing mobility and automotive solutions to Expo 2020's theme of Mobility.
• PepsiCopremier partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021PepsiCo served as an Official Premier Partner, providing food and beverage offerings and consumer product expertise across the Expo site.
• SAPpremier partnerTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2021SAP served as an Official Premier Partner, providing enterprise software and digital event management solutions for Expo 2020.
• Siemenspremier partnerTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2021Siemens served as an Official Premier Partner, contributing energy and infrastructure technology including its role in the solar-driven green hydrogen facility with DEWA and Expo 2020.
• Terminuspremier partnerTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2021Terminus served as an Official Premier Partner, providing technology solutions as part of Expo 2020's smart city infrastructure.
• talabatofficial providerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 August 2021talabat served as Official Food Delivery Provider, operating a two-storey cloud kitchen (talabat Kitchen) offering 30 brands and 15 cuisines with 10 autonomous delivery vehicles, a robotic ice-cream confectioner and barista.
• Dettolofficial partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2021Dettol was named Official Hygiene Partner, providing top-quality hygiene products to ensure the safety of all visitors, participants and staff at Expo 2020.
• Digital14official providerTechnology or Integration · 27 May 2020Digital14 served as Official Cyber Security Provider, delivering a holistic cybersecurity framework including continuous cyber monitoring, risk assessment, incident response, and digital forensics for Expo 2020's entire digital platform.
• Esharah Etisalat Security Solutionsofficial providerTechnology or Integration · 18 March 2020Esharah served as Official Secure Systems Provider, providing state-of-the-art encrypted mobile communications technology for security personnel, volunteers and first responders across the Expo site.
• L'Oréalofficial partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2020L'Oréal served as Official Beauty Products and Services Partner, delivering immersive beauty experiences including shows, salons, and pop-up studios, and sharing insights on AR and AI use in the beauty industry.
• Canonofficial providerTechnology or Integration · 21 January 2020Canon served as Official Printing and Imaging Provider — the first time a single firm provided all of a World Expo's printing and imaging needs, managing accreditation, visitor passes, souvenir printing, and equipment hire for photographers.
• Domino's (Alamar Foods)official providerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 November 2019Domino's served as Official Pizza Provider, operating several outlets across the Expo site offering handcrafted pizzas, sides and desserts, operated by Alamar Foods with over 450 stores across MENA and Pakistan.
• Swatchofficial partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2019Swatch served as Official Timing Provider, delivering precision timekeeping for the six-month event with countdown installations across Dubai. Collections included Swatch SISTEM51 watches inspired by Expo subthemes. First announced October 2019.
• Siemens Energy (via Swiss Timing subsidiary)official partnerTechnology or Integration · 16 October 2019Swiss Timing (a Swatch Group subsidiary of Siemens Energy parentage) provided precision timekeeping technology and countdown installations as part of the Swatch timing partnership.
• Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industryofficial partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2019Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry partnered to connect the business community with opportunities at Expo 2020, with a presence at the Business Connect Centre during the six-month event.
• Jacobs Maceofficial providerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 June 2019Jacobs Mace served as Official Programme Delivery Management Provider, overseeing all Expo-led construction on schedule with more than 200 consultants on site. Responsibilities included logistics, infrastructure, project management of Thematic Districts, and monitoring of approximately 100 self-build pavilions.
• Christieofficial partnerTechnology or Integration · 2 May 2019Christie served as an Official Partner providing AV and display technology solutions for Expo 2020's visual experiences.
• DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority)premier partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2019DEWA partnered with Expo 2020 Dubai and Siemens to create the first solar-driven green hydrogen electrolysis facility in the Middle East and North Africa, located at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Since launch in May 2021, the project produced approximately 90 tonnes of green hydrogen.
• Siemens Energypremier partnerTechnology or Integration · 3 February 2019Siemens Energy collaborated with Expo 2020 Dubai and DEWA to develop the pioneering solar-driven green hydrogen facility at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, demonstrating the potential of green hydrogen as a carbon-free energy source.
• Dulscoofficial partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2019Dulsco served as Official Waste Management Partner, operating a purpose-built Waste2Resource plant in Dubai South to help Expo 2020 achieve its target of diverting 85% of waste from landfill, supporting a circular economy.
• Orient Insuranceofficial partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2018Orient Insurance served as Official Insurance Provider, developing innovative products to safeguard Expo 2020's site and operations, participants' pavilions, and emerging technologies such as drones and driverless vehicles.
• Emaar Hospitality Groupofficial partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 August 2018Emaar Hospitality Group served as Official Hotel and Hospitality Partner, delivering Emirati hospitality to millions of visitors including VIP lounges and a spa on the Expo site.
• ENOC (Emirates National Oil Company)official partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2018ENOC served as Official Integrated Energy Partner, setting up a 'service station of the future' at Expo 2020 using multiple energy sources including solar and hydrogen, alongside operating ZOOM convenience stores on the site.
• UPSofficial partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2017UPS served as Official Logistics Partner, providing more than 27,000 square metres of warehouse space (equivalent to nearly four football pitches) and a team of 1,000 logistics personnel during Expo 2020.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dubai World Trade Centre: Operates Dubai's flagship MICE complex and hospitality district; comparable as a UAE-based exhibition and convention venue operator serving regional and international events.
• Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC): Runs Abu Dhabi's major exhibition venues and event services; directly comparable as a UAE/GCC venue operator hosting trade shows, conferences, and consumer expos.
• Expo 2025 Osaka: Next World Expo, sanctioned by BIE; directly comparable as a licensed World's Fair organizer targeting tens of millions of visits and similar thematic district structures.
• Shanghai Expo Group: Organizer of the legacy Expo 2010 Shanghai and surrounding business district; comparable as a prior World Expo organizer transitioning an event site into a long-term mixed-use and event destination.

Broad incumbents

• Reed Exhibitions (RX): One of the world's largest trade show and consumer expo organizers with a global portfolio; comparable as a major exhibition organizer running large-scale consumer and trade events.
• Informa Markets: Operates hundreds of exhibitions and conferences worldwide across multiple verticals; comparable as a global incumbent in expo and trade show organization and venue-based event services.
• Messe Frankfurt: Operates one of the world's largest exhibition complexes and a deep portfolio of consumer and trade fairs (e.g., Ambiente, Light+Building); comparable as an established trade show operator and venue company.
• Messe München: Runs the Munich exhibition complex and a portfolio of major trade fairs (e.g., bauma, IFAT); comparable as a vertically integrated expo venue and organizer with multi-event recurring revenue.
• ITB Berlin / Messe Berlin: Operator of major exhibitions including ITB Berlin; comparable as an incumbent expo organizer with strong international visitor acquisition and event IP assets.

Others

• Bureau International des Expositions (BIE): Intergovernmental organization that sanctions World Expos; comparable as the regulator and historical organizer/overseer of the same BIE-recognized format that Expo 2020 Dubai delivered.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/expo2020dubai
• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=/en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=/en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments5 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Expo 2020