Expo announces draw to give ticket holders a chance to attend the opening ceremony

Tickets for Expo 2020 Dubai went on sale yesterday, with only 75 days to go before it opens its doors to the world.

Some ticket holders will be entered into a draw to attend the opening ceremony on September 30.

All adult UAE residents who buy an Expo 2020 Season Pass or Family Package before August 14 will be in with a chance to win.

The lucky ticket holders will be announced in the first week of September on the Expo’s social media accounts.

They will receive personal invitations to attend the ceremony with a guest.

Single-entry tickets for the six-month world’s fair cost Dh95 ($26), while a six-month season pass is Dh495.

Visitors also have the option to buy a multi-day ticket for Dh195, which gives them unrestricted access to the site for 30 consecutive days.

Expo organisers marked the start of ticket sales with a Twitter post that promised visitors “unforgettable entertainment, breathtaking experiences and the latest innovations”.

“We’re ecstatic to celebrate that we’re only 75 days away from opening Expo 2020 Dubai’s doors to the world,” organisers said.

“Who’s ready to see the world’s greatest cultural gathering?”

The Expo site will be open daily between the hours of 10am and midnight, Saturday to Wednesday, and 10am to 2am on Thursdays and Fridays.

Entry is free of charge for children under the age of 18, students in higher education, people over the age of 60 and people of determination.

People who purchase the six-month season pass will receive a 25 per cent discount if they pay for the ticket with a MasterCard debit or credit card, and will also secure 10 Smart Queue bookings a day, which offer access to the pavilions.

The multi-day pass also includes 10 Smart Queue bookings.

Sholto Douglas-Home, chief marketing, communications and sales officer for Expo 2020 Dubai, said attending the event was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the living history of the UAE”.

“A milestone moment that ties in with the UAE’s Golden Jubilee, the opening ceremony marks the realisation of our vision and hard work,” he said.

“We look forward to welcoming the winners of our draw to join the making of a new world in a dynamic work of unfettered imagination.

“We are also proud to share our all-encompassing events and entertainment programme that guarantees that no two days will be the same at Expo.”

Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory for entry but is recommended. All Expo staff will be immunised and masks must be worn throughout the venue.

Sanitisation will be conducted frequently and hand sanitiser stations will be installed at the site.

As part of the Programme for People and Planet, the Expo will run 10 theme weeks throughout the six-month extravaganza.

The first theme week, scheduled to take place from October 3 to 9, will focus on climate and biodiversity.

It will look at how the world can work together to better manage climate issues and the damage caused to biodiversity.

Running from October 17 to 23, the Expo will tackle all things related to space, looking at how humankind can safely and productively explore new frontiers.

Other themes include tolerance and inclusivity, travel and connectivity, and food, agriculture and livelihoods.

The Expo’s first theme week, which will take place between October 3 and 9, will focus on climate and biodiversity