Dubai Set to Expand Expo City Exhibition Centre in Major Development Push

The Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City is undergoing a substantial expansion, set to be completed by 2026, with the first phase bringing in 14,000 tonnes of structural steel—enough to construct two Eiffel Towers—and topped with 78,000 square meters of roof sheeting. This Dh10-billion project will position Expo City Dubai as a world-class events and exhibitions hub, while aligning with Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan to enhance the city’s status as a major global center.

The DEC expansion will enable the center to host up to 20 simultaneous events, including major ones like Gulf Food, Arab Health, and Gitex, which will all relocate to the new venue upon its opening. With expansive column-free halls stretching 120 meters, the DEC will offer adaptable spaces to support large-scale exhibitions or multiple smaller events concurrently. The first phase will add 64,000 square meters of permanent exhibition space and 30,000 square meters of temporary halls, boosting the venue’s total hosting capacity to 140,000 square meters and accommodating up to 50,000 visitors per day.

Amer Alfarsi, Acting Vice President of Real Estate Development at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), highlighted the facility’s versatile design: “The expansion allows us to host a large single event across the entire 1.2 km space or accommodate 20 diverse events simultaneously.” DWTC’s sustainability-focused design also targets LEED certification, showcasing Dubai’s commitment to eco-friendly, forward-thinking developments.

Senior officials conducted a media tour of the site on Wednesday, where they detailed the project’s foundation work. The DEC expansion’s first phase involves the installation of 515 foundation piles and advanced engineering to support the extensive new halls and exhibition spaces.

In preparation for the expanded operations, the development will feature improved parking facilities and marshalling yards to streamline event logistics and enhance turnaround times. A team of internationally recognized consultants, including Mace and Egis, has been appointed to oversee the project, ensuring that Dubai’s latest expansion meets the highest global standards.

Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President at DWTC, underscored the project’s economic impact, noting that DWTC has hosted over 6,000 international exhibitions, bringing in 38 million visitors and generating Dh248 billion in economic output over 45 years. With the DEC expansion, Dubai aims to double the number of events to 600 annually by 2033 and triple its economic output from Dh18 billion to Dh54 billion.

The DEC expansion is part of Expo City Dubai’s vision to become a vibrant economic and cultural hub. According to Julfar, the new venue will help Dubai grow existing events and foster industry-specific mega shows. “Gulf Food, for example, started as a single event and now includes Gulf Food Manufacturing. Similarly, this expansion will allow us to support the growth of industries like technology, real estate, energy, and F&B,” he explained.

Despite the new development, the DWTC will continue to serve as a cornerstone of Dubai’s event landscape, hosting diverse functions like concerts, awards ceremonies, and government summits. The DWTC also accommodates over 25 university graduations annually—a figure expected to rise.

Additionally, the DWTC’s calendar is booked with international conferences through 2039, a testament to Dubai’s established reputation as a global venue for major events. Julfar confirmed that demand for the original DWTC venue will remain strong, even as the expanded DEC bolsters Dubai’s standing on the world stage.