EXPO TIMELINE
NEARLY 180 YEARS OF WORLD EXPOS
From the Crystal Palace to the Grand Ring, and beyond: find every Expo from 1851 to 2030, placed in the categorization system that governed it. We group them by era, so you can see how the rules changed.
1851-1933
Pre-BIE · 21 Expos
1935-1975
First system · 28 Expos
1981-2005
Second system · 14 Expos
2008-
Third system · 9 Expos
_-_BEIC_6336689.jpg)
.jpg)
CATEGORY GUIDE
READING THE CATEGORIES
PRE-BIE · 1851-1933
0.1
Pre-BIE
21 Expos, from Expo 1851 London to Expo 1933 Chicago.
RULES
No official, international standard categorized Expos before the BIE.
FIRST SYSTEM · 1935-1975
1.1
General, First Category
4 Expos: Expo 1935 Brussels, Expo 1958 Brussels, Expo 1967 Montreal, and Expo 1970 Osaka.
PAVILIONS
Participants could build their own pavilions.
FREQUENCY
At least six years between two Expos of the same category.
1.2
General, Second Category
4 Expos: Expo 1937 Paris, Expo 1939 New York, Expo 1949 Port-au-Prince, and Expo 1962 Seattle.
PAVILIONS
Participants could not be induced to build their own pavilions.
FREQUENCY
At least six years between two Expos of the same category.
1.3
Special
20 Expos, from Expo 1936 Stockholm and Expo 1938 Helsinki to Expo 1975 Okinawa.
THEME
Illustrates a definite theme.
DURATION AND SIZE
Up to six months, with no limit on the size of the site.
LATER NAME
Redefined as Specialised Exhibitions by the 1972 Protocol.
SECOND SYSTEM · 1981-2005
2.1
Universal
2 Expos: Expo 1992 Seville and Expo 2000 Hannover.
ORIGIN
The 1972 Protocol replaced the two General categories with a single World Exhibition.
FREQUENCY
An interval of 10 years between World Exhibitions.
TRANSITION
Expo 2000 Hannover opened after the 1988 amendment entered into force but kept the 1972 rules.
2.2
Specialized
12 Expos, from Expo 1981 Plovdiv to Expo 2005 Aichi.
ORIGIN
The 1972 Protocol redefined Special Exhibitions as Specialised Exhibitions.
DURATION AND SIZE
Up to six months, with no limit on the size of the site.
FREQUENCY
At least two years apart, barring exceptions allowed by the BIE.
THIRD SYSTEM · 2008 TO TODAY
3.1
Registered
5 Expos: Expo 2010 Shanghai, Expo 2015 Milan, Expo 2020 Dubai, Expo 2025 Osaka, and Expo 2030 Riyadh.
THEME
A universal challenge of our time.
DURATION
Up to six months.
FREQUENCY
Every five years.
SIZE AND PAVILIONS
No maximum size. Participants may build their own pavilions or rent a dedicated space.
3.2
Recognized
4 Expos: Expo 2008 Zaragoza, Expo 2012 Yeosu, Expo 2017 Astana, and Expo 2027 Belgrade.
THEME
A precise subject of international interest.
DURATION
Up to three months.
FREQUENCY
Between two Registered Expos.
SIZE AND PAVILIONS
Up to 25 hectares. Participants customize space provided by the organizer.
"Annual International Exhibition." Wikipedia. Accessed October 8, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annual_International_Exhibition.
Bonython, Elizabeth, and Anthony Burton. The Great Exhibitor: The Life and Work of Henry Cole. V&A Publications, 2003.
Britannica Editors. "Sir Henry Cole." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Accessed October 8, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-Cole.