Don't miss out on seeing some of the winners from the 2021 Globe Soccer Awards and also some guests from the Dubai International Sports Conference held at Expo 2020 Dubai. Witness something special as Al Wasl Plaza plays host to football freestylers, a DJ and a Q&A session with legends of the game.

Globe Soccer Awards 2021 Stars

Globe Soccer Awards 2021

Don't miss out on seeing the stars of the Globe Soccer Awards 2021, at the beating heart of Expo 2020 Dubai, Al Wasl Plaza.

Inside Expo_New

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

Exhibitor logo

EXHIBITOR Magazine's World Expo Awards

EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces World Expo Award Winners

Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl 

Notice the Expo logo at the centre of Al Wasl Plaza's oculus.

Al Wasl Dome 3

Experience a towering structure under which the Leaning Tower of Pisa could fit.

Al Wasl 4

Al Wasl Plaza Images

The Opening Ceremony: A Story of Hope

Expo 2020 Dubai, the first Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region in the 170 years of World Expo history, opened with a celebration of global togetherness and optimism. Spectacular storytelling, performances, fireworks, and immersive projections on the dome of Al Wasl, the heart of Expo 2020, all told a story of collaboration and hope for the future, echoing Expo 2020 Dubai's theme of "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". Global artists joining in the celebration included Andrea Bocelli, Ellie Goulding, Lang Lang and Mohammed Abdu.

Description 

General view of Al Wasl Plaza 

The first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, Expo 2020 opened with a celebration of global connection and hope for the future.

Jaw-dropping immersive projections beginning with the fiery birth of our planet.

A celebration of the majesty of nature, both underwater and on land.

Incredible local and international performers.

Image Gallery

Expo 2020 Dubai Opening Ceremony

Long ago, travellers referred to Dubai as Al Wasl, or “the connection” – a name that reflects the area’s heritage as a meeting point. This spirit of coming together takes shape in Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020’s spectacular centrepiece and gathering ground for celebration and wonder. 

Situated at the meeting point of Expo’s three thematic districts, Al Wasl Plaza's dome is tall enough to fit the Leaning Tower of Pisa beneath it. By night, she transforms into a 360-degree projection screen, blanketed by more than 250 state-of-the-art projectors. Al Wasl Plaza is a hub for visitors and the vibrant heart of our Expo.

UAE flag

Daily performances, national day ceremonies and more

Al Wasl Dome Projections

Immersive 360-degree domed projection screen

Al Wasl exterior

Lush garden spaces for relaxation and connection

Al Wasl features

Al Wasl Logo-01

Al Wasl Plaza 360

Al Wasl Plaza is 130 metres in diameter and more than 67 metres tall. Delicate-looking despite its titanic scale, her pattern is inspired by our Expo's logo, which is fully visible at the oculus.

and magical

Extraordinary

The life force of the Expo 2020 site, Al Wasl Plaza proudly carries the old name of Dubai.

The beating heart of Expo 2020

A series of immersive 360° videos of Al Wasl's projection shows that put you centre stage for each stunning performance. 

DUBAI, 12 October 2021. Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Expo 2020 Dubai)


Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl

Al Wasl Plaza 360° Immersive Experiences

The Beating Heart of Expo 2020

The Beating Heart of Expo

Globe Soccer Awards 2021 Stars at Al Wasl Plaza

Organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the postponed 2020 championship will see the reigning world champion, Magnus Carlsen of Norway, defend his title against the winner of the delayed Candidates Tournament, Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi.

The second game of this epic showdown between the two of the game’s finest Grandmasters will take place on the 27th of November in Dubai Exhibition Centre, with the two players competing for a prize fund of EUR 2 million (AED 9 million).

World Chess Championship 2021

FIDE World Chess Championship 2021

Match two: Magnus Carlsen vs. Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Dubai Exhibition Centre - Audio Guide

Dubai Exhibition Center

Dubai Exhibition Center 3

Expo 2020 connects minds from around the globe. These connections are not limited to the pavilions and parks, but also extend to the vast Dubai Exhibition Centre: a new, state-of-the-art venue for conferences, concerts and more. 

Conveniently located next to the recently completed Expo 2020 metro station, with striking views of the magnificent domed Al Wasl Plaza, the DEC offers 45,000 square metres of customisable event space, 14 exhibition and multi-use halls, on-site catering, and best-in-class audio-visual resources.


A light geometric pattern decorates the DEC’s extraordinarily broad front façade, which features a giant overhanging arch over the entrance to the central plaza area, as well as sloped surfaces that seem to angle away from the entrance like a pair of wings

Dubai Exhibition centre 2

event space

A sleek

Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC)

FIDE World Chess Championship Game 2 between Magnus Carlsen (L) and Ian Nepomniachtchi (R) at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) Web Image m14190

FIDE World Chess Championship first chess piece move is made by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich (L2) Game 2 between Magnus Carlsen (L) and Ian Nepomniachtchi (R) at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) Web Image m14191

FIDE World Chess Championship Game 2 between Magnus Carlsen (L) and Ian Nepomniachtchi (R) at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) Web Image m14197

FIDE: World Chess Championship - Match 2

Organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the postponed 2020 championship will see the reigning world champion, Magnus Carlsen of Norway, defend his title against the winner of the delayed Candidates Tournament, Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi.

The eighth game of this epic showdown between the two of the game’s finest Grandmasters will take place on the 5th of December in Dubai Exhibition Centre, with the two players competing for a prize fund of EUR 2 million (AED 9 million).

The eighth installment of the epic showdown between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi in the FIDE World Chess Championship. Carlsen has a 4:3 lead going forward. What will happen next!

FIDE: World Chess Championship - Match 8

Organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the postponed 2020 championship will see the reigning world champion, Magnus Carlsen of Norway, defend his title against the winner of the delayed Candidates Tournament, Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi.

The eleventh game of this epic showdown between the two of the game’s finest Grandmasters will take place on the 10th of December in Dubai Exhibition Centre, with the two players competing for a prize fund of EUR 2 million (AED 9 million).

A draw in Match 10 leaves Carlsen on the brink of inflicting a crushing defeat on Nepomniachtchi. Will Carlsen clinch the 2021 World Chess Championship? Don't miss Match 11 of this epic showdown.