Spain Pavilion

Spain's participation is being delivered by Acción Cultural Española (AC/E), the state-owned company that has produced Spain's pavilions at previous World Expos. In early 2026 AC/E, together with the Spanish network of design associations, opened an international competition for the integral design, exhibition concept and production direction of the Pabellón de España. The brief asked for a living, emotional space where architecture and design shape the visitor experience, with play understood as a means of inclusion — Spain's reading of the Expo theme "Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All".

The competition ran in two phases: up to eight firms were shortlisted from the first round, each paid €15,000 plus VAT to develop a proposal, with applications due on 19 February 2026. The tender's estimated value was €505,000 excluding VAT, covering design, exhibition content, production, assembly and dismantling. In July 2026 the winner was reported as Javier Jiménez Iniesta and Studio Animal with "Plaza España", which asks whether a pavilion can be a Plaza Mayor — the main square of a Spanish town, with its open-air dances, carnivals, games and fountain. The pavilion's size, builder, commissioner and National Day have not been published yet.

“¿Puede un pabellón ser una Plaza Mayor?” — Studio Animal, presenting the winning "Plaza España" concept ("Can a pavilion be a Plaza Mayor?") [source]