Serbia’s planned National Stadium in Belgrade will not be ready for Expo 2027, with completion now expected in early 2028 after permitting requirements delayed construction. The stadium is being developed in Surčin, as part of the broader investment programme surrounding the Expo site in western Belgrade.
Government budget execution data show that Serbia spent approximately RSD 2.5 billion (€21.5 million) on the stadium during 2025, against an adjusted annual allocation of about RSD 18.5 billion. Only around 13.6% of the planned budget was therefore executed during the year.
Additional Permits Delay Construction
The final budget account attributed the spending shortfall primarily to additional permitting requirements concerning Lot 2, which postponed the start of works. The contractor responsible for the package is Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina).
The delay affects one of the most visible projects connected to the Expo 2027 programme, which also includes exhibition facilities, transport links, utilities, housing and other infrastructure in western Belgrade. The stadium can still be completed and used after the exhibition, but its revised timetable means it will not be operational during the 2027 event.
Capital Execution Becomes a Key Constraint
The stadium’s delayed schedule comes as Serbia manages a broad public investment programme covering motorways, railways, energy facilities, the Belgrade Metro and Expo-related infrastructure. The 2025 spending figures highlight the difference between allocating funds and executing projects on schedule. Approved capital can remain unspent when permitting, land preparation, utility relocation, contractor mobilisation or coordination between construction packages delays physical works.
Delayed expenditure can subsequently move into later budget years and does not automatically indicate that the final project cost will increase. Schedule extensions can affect mobilisation periods, procurement costs and the timing of construction activity, particularly when multiple major projects are being delivered simultaneously.
Expo Programme Faces Increasing Delivery Pressure
The National Stadium is part of a much larger construction portfolio linked to Expo 2027, making its revised completion date significant for the wider programme. As the exhibition approaches, delivery will increasingly depend on the completion of physical assets rather than the allocation of investment funds alone. The stadium’s revised timetable places greater focus on coordination between the state, contractors and permitting authorities as Serbia continues implementing multiple complex infrastructure projects at the same time.
