The Experiential Design Authority Announces World Expolympics Winners

The World Expolympics Awards Ceremony was hosted at the USA Pavilion on site at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

Osaka, Japan — September 23, 2025 — Last night, The Experiential Design Authority (TEDA) proudly announced the winners of its World Expolympics competition, which honors the most exceptional examples of experiential design at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

Dubbed “The Olympics of Experiential Design,” the World Expolympics shines a spotlight on the artistry, innovation, and cultural storytelling that define world expos. Winners were selected by a 32-member international jury of distinguished architects, experiential designers, and exhibit/event industry professionals who evaluated entries based on design innovation, visitor engagement, storytelling impact, and overall contribution to the spirit of world expositions.

Presenting the World Expolympics awards were Travis Stanton, Executive Director of The Experiential Design Authority, and Christina Lyons, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Graduate Exhibition and Experience Design program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

“This year’s winners represent the pinnacle of experiential design,” said Travis Stanton, Executive Director of TEDA. “Each project demonstrates not only remarkable creativity but also a deep commitment to connecting people, cultures, and ideas through the power of storytelling and design. The World Expolympics celebrate those who push the boundaries of what an expo experience can be, and this year’s honorees set an inspiring benchmark for the industry.” Also on hand to assist in the trophy presentation was World Expolympics judge, Associate Professor, and Chairperson of the Graduate Exhibition and Experience Design program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Christina Lyons.

Gold, silver, and bronze awards were presented in 16 categories honoring everything from overall pavilion design and execution to individual exhibits, presentations, and activations.

The most-awarded pavilions, winning three trophies each, include Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, and USA. Meanwhile, the following four pavilions won gold for Best Small Pavilion, Best Medium Pavilion, Best Large Pavilion, and Best Corporate/Theme Pavilion.

• Best Small Pavilion – Serbia Pavilion

• Best Medium Pavilion – Netherlands Pavilion

• Best Large Pavilion – Saudi Arabia Pavilion

• Best Corporate/Theme Pavilion – Earth Mart

  
  

In addition to these primary categories, special recognition was awarded to projects in categories ranging from Best Sustainable Pavilion to Best Activation/Engagement. Additionally, while 14 of the awards were selected by the aforementioned judging panel, the People’s Choice Award was selected by popular vote on The Experiential Design Authority’s website, and the Director’s Choice Award was selected by the Executive Director of The Experiential Design Authority, with input from TEDA Advisory Board members.

Representatives from dozens of Expo 2025 pavilions attended the ceremony to celebrate the best examples of experiential design.

The ceremony brought together dignitaries, designers, and industry professionals from every corner of the globe, reinforcing the World Expolympics’ role as a platform for celebrating excellence and sparking future innovation in experiential design.

Below is a full list of all World Expolympics winners.

Best Large Pavilion

Gold: Saudi Arabia Pavilion

Silver: Canada Pavilion

Bronze: UAE Pavilion

Best Medium Pavilion

Gold: Netherlands Pavilion

Silver: Singapore Pavilion

Bronze: Poland Pavilion

Best Small Pavilion

Gold: Serbia Pavilion

Silver: Austria Pavilion

Bronze: Ireland Pavilion

Best Corporate/Theme Pavilion

Gold: Earth Mart

Silver: Pasona Natureverse

Bronze: Future of Life

Best Sustainable Pavilion

Gold: Germany Pavilion

Silver: Spain Pavilion

Bronze: Switzerland Pavilion

Best Exterior Architecture

Gold: Saudi Arabia Pavilion

Silver: Spain Pavilion

Bronze: Portugal Pavilion

Best Thematic Concept

Gold: Portugal Pavilion (Ocean, The Blue Dialogue)

Silver: Singapore Pavilion (Where Dreams Take Shape)

Bronze: Spain Pavilion (The Kuroshio Current)

Best Tech Integration

Gold: Canada Pavilion (AR Experience)

Silver: Serbia Pavilion (Nation’s Testimony)

Bronze: USA Pavilion (Multisensory Design)

Best Exhibit or Display

Gold: Nordic Circle Pavilion (Whirl)

Silver: Poland Pavilion (Plantation of Ideas)

Bronze: Tech World Pavilion (Life Theater)

Best Presentation

Gold: USA Pavilion (Launch)

Silver: Saudi Arabia Pavilion (Tales of Water)

Bronze: Portugal Pavilion (The Ocean’s Point of View)

Best Activation or Engagement

Gold: Singapore Pavilion (Dream Repository)

Silver: Ukraine Pavilion (Not for Sale)

Bronze: Austria Pavilion (Composing the Future)

Best Element or Detail

Gold: France Pavilion (Lighting Design)

Silver: Italy Pavilion (Rooftop Garden)

Bronze: Egypt Pavilion (360° Projection)

Best Pavilion Team

Gold: USA Pavilion

Silver: Italy Pavilion

Bronze: Vietnam Pavilion

Best Pavilion Mascot

Gold: Bulgaria Pavilion (Lacto-chan)

Silver: Czech Pavilion (René)

Bronze: Thailand Pavilion (Bhumi-Jai)

People’s Choice Award

Gold: Czech Pavilion

Silver: Baltics Pavilion

Bronze: Malta Pavilion

Director’s Choice Award

Gold: Kuwait Pavilion

Silver: Belgium Pavilion

Bronze: Korea Pavilion

For more information about the competition or The Experiential Design Authority, visit www.experientialdesignauthority.com, and stay tuned for additional coverage of the winners on www.exhibitcitynews.com.

About The Experiential Design Authority (TEDA):

The Experiential Design Authority is the global standard-bearer for innovation in experiential marketing, live events, and world expos. Through research, education, and recognition programs, TEDA advances the art and science of experience design, empowering creators to build meaningful connections between people and ideas.