Expo 2030 Riyadh infrastructure works have moved beyond tendering, with major construction packages now awarded across the six-square-kilometer site. The project has entered a broader delivery phase ahead of the World Expo, scheduled from October 2030 to March 2031.
Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC) awarded the initial Main Utilities and Civil Works package to Nesma & Partners in December 2025. The contract covers about 50 kilometers of integrated infrastructure networks.
The scope includes internal roads, water, sewage, electricity, communications and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. These works establish the foundation for subsequent buildings, pavilions and public spaces across the Expo site.
In April 2026, ERC awarded two additional infrastructure packages to Al-Yamama Company. The contracts cover road networks and utility infrastructure across the northern and southern nature corridor clusters.
ERC did not disclose the values or delivery periods for those two contracts. However, the awards demonstrate continued progress from early procurement into large-scale construction activity.
Expo 2030 Riyadh infrastructure enters major construction phase
The infrastructure program remains divided into three principal packages. Lot 1 covers the main utilities corridor, while Lots 2 and 3 cover the nature corridor clusters.
Meanwhile, the wider site development has progressed beyond basic utilities. MEED reported in July 2026 that bulk earthworks, including cut, fill and levelling, had been completed.
Nesma & Partners is delivering primary utility networks around the site. Al-Yamama is responsible for secondary networks serving the central event area.
Power infrastructure has also moved forward through a separate agreement between ERC and Saudi Energy. The agreement covers a bulk supply point, three primary substations and associated transmission infrastructure.
Alfanar, Haif Company, Trading and Development Partnership and Al-Babtain Power & Telecom Company will support the electricity infrastructure works. Saudi Energy’s project development arm will oversee implementation.
Expo 2030 Riyadh construction expands beyond infrastructure
Construction momentum now extends into transport and accommodation infrastructure surrounding the Expo venue. In September 2026, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City awarded the Expo metro station contract to Freyssinet Saudi Arabia.
The station will serve the Expo site through Line 4 of the Riyadh Metro network. Its construction forms part of wider preparations to connect the venue with Riyadh’s transport system.
The Expo program has also moved into residential development. ERC and Mohammed Al Habib Real Estate Company signed a SAR3.2 billion joint venture for Expo Village in September 2026.
The village will provide about 2,300 apartments for approximately 5,500 residents. The development will include retail, dining, amenities and operational facilities.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is expected to attract about 42 million visits. The event will involve 197 participating countries and more than 230 pavilions and installations.
The venue will also retain a long-term function after the event. ERC plans to transform the site into a mixed-use global village with residential, retail and food-and-beverage uses.
The scale of Riyadh’s transformation also connects the Expo program with other major developments across the capital. These include King Salman Park’s $13 billion private investment program, which is advancing mixed-use construction across a 17-square-kilometre urban destination.
Updated October 21, 2025:
Fourteen firms have been invited to bid for the contract to undertake the initial infrastructure works at the Expo 2030 Riyadh site. The client company, Expo 2030 Riyadh floated the tender for the project’s initial infrastructure works in September. The firms included entail several local and international-based company. These include local-based Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting, El-Seif Engineering Contracting, Al-Ayuni Investment & Contracting and Saudi Pan Kingdom. On the other hand, international-based companies entail Turkiye’s Mapa Insaat, Yuskel Insaat, Hassan Allam Construction, and Mota Engil. The overall infrastructure works will be split into three packages. These works will cover the construction of main utilities and civil works at Expo 2030 Riyadh.
Lot 1 covers the main utilities corridor while lot 2 includes the northern cluster of the natural corridor. On the other hand, lot 3 comprises the southern cluster of the nature corridor. ERC issued the tender for infrastructure package Lot 1 on 21 September. It has set deadlines of 26 October and 9 November for submission of technical and commercial bids, respectively. ERC is expected to award the contract for the Riyadh Expo infrastructure package in December. The expo is forecast to attract more than 40 million visitors. Other than the Expo 2030 Riyadh venue, Saudi Arabia is undertaking various projects such as the $5 billion Qiddiya city. Once complete, the projects will have a monumental significance in redefining sustainability in the region. Other than the Expo venue, the world’s largest King Salman park is also expected to redefine Riyadh’s environmental landscape.
August 3, 2025:
Saudi Arabia’s Expo 2030 Riyadh Company has commenced the process of issuing tenders on the Riyadh Expo 2030 infrastructure. Spearheading the project, the company received interests from contractors on 24 July for initial infrastructure works. The infrastructure works covering the construction of main utilities and civil works will be tendered in three packages. These include Lot 1 covering the main utilities corridor. On the other hand, lot 2 includes the northern cluster for the nature corridor. Lastly, lot 3 comprises the southern cluster on the nature corridor.
The client is also expected to ask the firms to prequalify for the contracts this month. The tendering for the infrastructure package follows ERC receiving bids from firms on 6 July. The bids also encompassed a contract to build the site offices required for initial construction works at the project. In July, US-based engineering firm Bechtel Corporation announced that it had won the project management consultancy deal.
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Saudi Arabia Issues First Tender on Multi-Billion-Dollar Construction Works of Expo 2030 Venue
The Scope of Implementation on the Riyadh Expo 2030
The scope of implementation on the Expo 2030 venue encompasses an area of 6 square kilometers. Once complete, it will be one of the largest sites designated for a World Expo event. Its ideal location to the north of the Saudi capital makes it effective. Moreover, it will be located near the future King Salman International airport, providing direct access to various landmarks within the Saudi capital. Countries participating in Expo 2030 Riyadh will have the option to construct permanent pavilions. This initiative is expected to create opportunities for business and investment growth in the region.
The expo is forecast to attract over 40 million visitors. In June, Saudi sovereign wealth vehicle the Public Investment Fund (PIF) launched ERC as a wholly-owned subsidiary to build and operate facilities for Expo 2030. During its construction phases, Expo 2030 and its legacy are also projected to contribute around $64bn to Saudi GDP. Moreover, it will generate approximately 171,000 direct and indirect jobs. Once operational, it is expected to contribute approximately $5.6bn to GDP.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: Expo 2030 Riyadh
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Developer: Expo 2030 Riyadh Company
Parent entity: Public Investment Fund
Site area: Approximately 6 million square metres
Event dates: October 1, 2030 to March 31, 2031
Expected visits: Approximately 42 million
Participating countries: 197
Expected pavilions: More than 230
Infrastructure network: Approximately 50 kilometres under the initial package
Initial infrastructure contract: Estimated SAR1 billion ($267 million)
Initial infrastructure contractor: Nesma & Partners
Additional infrastructure contractor: Al-Yamama Company
Infrastructure scope: Roads, water, sewage, electricity, telecommunications and EV charging
Power infrastructure: One bulk supply point and three primary substations
Expo Village:
- Investment: SAR3.2 billion
- Residential capacity: Approximately 2,300 apartments
- Capacity: Approximately 5,500 residents
Metro connection: Riyadh Metro Line 4
Post-event legacy: Mixed-use global village with residential, retail and hospitality uses
Project Team
Developer: Expo 2030 Riyadh Company
Owner and shareholder: Public Investment Fund
Main infrastructure contractor: Nesma & Partners
Nature corridor infrastructure contractor: Al-Yamama Company
Bulk earthworks contractor: Binyah
Power infrastructure:
- Developer: Saudi Energy
- Implementation arm: Saudi Electricity Projects Development Company
- Contractors: Alfanar, Haif Company, Trading and Development Partnership, Al-Babtain Power & Telecom Company
Expo metro station:
- Client: Royal Commission for Riyadh City
- Contractor: Freyssinet Saudi Arabia
Expo Village:
- Developer: Mohammed Al Habib Real Estate Company
- Joint venture partner: Expo 2030 Riyadh Company
- Project management consultant: Bechtel Corporation
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