Everything you need to know about Dubai Expo 2020

The Expo 2020 site is 4.38 square kilometers and is located in the Dubai South district, close to Al Maktoum International Airport and within easy reach of Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai and Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminals.

How can you reach this site? By car from Downtown Dubai it will take you 40 minutes to reach the Expo site. You can also use the Dubai Metro. Expo 2020 will have its own dedicated Dubai Metro Station on the route 2020 line, with carriages capable to transporting 40,000 passengers per hour to and from the site.

Dates and time of Dubai Expo 2020 • Opening day of the Dubai Expo: October 20, 2020 • Closing day of the Dubai Expo: April 10, 2021

Site opening hours of Dubai Expo 2020 • Weekdays: 9am-1am • Weekends and special days: 10am-2am

History about World Expo

Have there been World Expos in the past? What was the first World Expo? The first World Expo was London’s Great Exhibition of 1851. Since then World Expos have been held in many countries around the world organized around a theme that attempts to improve our knowledge in arts, culture, science and technology.

How frequently are the World Expos held? They are organized every five years and last for six months.

Is there an organization for World Expos?

The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is the intergovernmental organization that regulates and oversees World Expos. It preserves the core values of education, innovation and cooperation on behalf of its 170 member states. It was founded in 1928.

Where did the last Expo take place? The last Expo took place in 2015 in Milan. Its theme was ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’. It focused on nutrition and food. It was the second time the city hosted a World Expo, with the first being in 1906.

When and how did Dubai win the Expo?

On November 27, 2013, the UAE was elected as the host country of World Expo 2020 during the 154th General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). This was the outcome of the voting of the 164 nation members. Dubai won by a resounding majority of 116 votes, leaving behind its contestant Yekaterinburg in Russia with only 47.

What have World Expos given every one of us in the past? The Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Seattle Space Needle, the typewriter, television and even Heinz Tomato Ketchup are some of the things that World Expos have given us.

Does Dubai Expo 2020 have a theme as well?

Each Expo revolves around its own theme to leave a lasting impact on the path of human progress. Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

What is the logo of Dubai Expo 2020? In March 2016, Dubai Expo 2020 revealed its new logo, which was inspired by a ring found at the Saroug Al Hadeed archaeological site.

How many people will be attending the Expo?

Dubai Expo 202 will be running for 6 months. Over six months more than 200 participants, including 192 countries, and millions of visitors, will come together to celebrate Expo 2020 Dubai.

What are the subthemes of Expo 2020 Dubai? Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability are the subthemes of Dubai Expo 2020 Opportunity is unlocking the potential for individuals and communities to shape the future. Mobility is to create smarter and more productive movement of people, goods and ideas, both physically and virtually. Sustainability is respecting and living in balance with the world we inhabit.

How will be the Dubai Expo 2020 site look? What will be its main assets?

At the heart of the Expo 2020 site will be the Al Wasl Plaza. This will be focal point for the celebrations over the six months.

Historically, Dubai was called Al Wasl, or the “Connection”, because it connected people from all over the region. Visitors at Expo 2020 Dubai will gather at Al Wasl Plaza to enjoy celebrations and cultural events from 192 countries. Based on the subthemes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, there will be three thematic districts at the Expo site. Each thematic district will be anchored by a thematic pavilion, also based on the subthemes.

The thematic pavilions will house interactive exhibitions and engaging content to explore the themes in a fun and entertaining way. Each Thematic District will also include performance spaces, innovation galleries and art installations and outdoor gardens.

How many country pavilions can I visit? 192 country pavilions

Will the UAE have a pavilion and how will it look? Yes the UAE will have its own pavilion that resembles a falcon in flight and is designed by Santiago Calatrava.

What can you do at Dubai Expo 2020? There will be enough to delight and dazzle you at Expo 2020 Dubai. From art, music, gastronomy to technology, architecture and entertainment, a day is not enough for you to cherish the magic of the largest event ever held in the Arab world. You can start your day at the Al Wasl Plaza, where you get to see artwork and interactive installations from local and global talents. You can also go on an architectural adventure and marvel at the pavilions built on innovative and sustainable designs. Imagine embarking on a journey where you end up visiting 192 different countries and learning all about their history and culture. There will be more than 60 live shows each day, so everything from operas to pop-up theatres, flash mobs to sports events and even national day celebrations, there will be enough to keep you coming back. For tech enthusiasts there will be opportunities to experience a truly connected world with autonomous vehicles, robotics, augmented reality and space explorations.

What can I eat at the Expo 2020? Expo 2020 will have food offerings as broad and diverse as the city of Dubai and the 190-plus participant nations that are joining this global mega event. A visitor can expect to see food of all shapes and sizes and price points to suit different budgets. You can literally taste the world at Expo with cultural influences from around the planet. There will be around 200 different restaurants celebrating more than 50 different cuisines from around the world. You can delight your taste buds from a range of options available here – from street fare to haute cuisine, as well as sustainable meals from locally-sourced produce that promote wellness.

Can kids visit the Expo site? There are two parks – Al Forsan and Jubilee – where kids can play.

What are the mascots of Dubai Expo 2020? Two inquisitive Emirati kids called Latifa and Rashid will be the other main mascots along with a team of robots named Opti, Alif and Terra.

Can I shop for souvenirs at the Expo site? Expo 2020 Dubai souvenirs will be anything but ordinary. The first licensed products, all by GCC-based SMEs, are already available: Expo-inspired chocolate by Mirzam, camel soap by the Camel Soap Factory and Bateel dates. Through the Expo 2020 Dubai Merchandising and Licensing programme, we will have on sale some 5,000 official licensed products from up to 70 Official Licensees.

How can you buy tickets for Dubai Expo 2020? You will be able to buy tickets through the Expo 2020 website, through a network of Authorised Ticket Resellers, contracted with Expo 2020, and at the Expo 2020 gates during the event. Tickets will go on sale to the general public in April 2020, although visitors to Dubai will be able to buy monthly and season passes directly from Expo from Q4 2019.

How much are the tickets? A single-day adult (18 and over) ticket will cost Dh120 (USD 33), while a three-day pass, which can be used on any three days during the 173 days of the Expo, will be priced at Dh260 (USD 71). Your ticket will give you access to a once-in-a-lifetime experience, including 60 live shows a day, future-shaping technologies, performances from world-famous artists, daily parades, cutting-edge architecture, special celebrations and more than 200 food and beverage outlets serving a world of cuisines.

Are children and senior citizens allowed free? There is free access for children aged five and under and seniors aged 65 and over.

What about school students? Youth aged six to 17 and students of any age will receive 50 per cent discount, while people of determination will be granted complimentary access, with their carers entering for half price.

What will happen after the six months of the Expo? More than 80 per cent of Expo 2020 Dubai’s infrastructure will have practical value long into the future as part of District 2020. For example, the Al Wasl Plaza will remain. The sustainability pavilion will become Terra, the Children and Science Centre. The mobility pavilion will become a commercial building and the UAE pavilion will remain and will be managed by the UAE government. District 2020 will have these and other assets of the Expo. It will become the city of the future, a home for innovators, families, artists and pioneers. The handover date of District 2020 will be October 2021.

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