Osaka Expo Ticket Sales Reach Profitable Threshold
The World Exposition in Osaka, Japan, is currently ongoing, and it has already attracted a significant number of visitors. As of mid-August 2025, the event has sold over 18 million admission tickets, with a cumulative attendance of around 10 million visitors by mid-July, increasing steadily over the months [1][2][3][4][5].
Organizers have set a sales target of 23 million tickets and are projecting a total attendance of about 28.2 million visitors for the full six-month event [5]. However, the estimated operation cost of the World Exposition is 116 billion yen, and the break-even point for operating costs is 18 million tickets [1]. As of now, ticket sales and attendance are approaching but have not yet fully reached these thresholds.
There have been operational challenges such as heat and weather affecting attendance rates, including slower sales after late June due to a hot season impacting visitor comfort [1]. To mitigate this, organizers have implemented measures such as portable air conditioners.
The park and ride system, designed to allow visitors to transfer from private cars to shuttle buses for the World Exposition, is a potential source of unexpected expenses. A senior association official has expressed concerns about the park and ride system's financial performance, and it may lose several billion yen due to initial low usage [6][7]. The financial performance of the park and ride system may impact the overall financial status of the World Exposition.
Despite these challenges, the World Exposition in Osaka is receiving favorable social media reviews. Popular attractions include Italian, U.S., and other foreign pavilions [8]. The admission fee revenue is expected to cover 96.9 billion yen of the operation cost [9].
In conclusion, ticket sales are progressing well but slightly behind needed thresholds for profitability. Efforts are ongoing to attract more visitors in the event's remaining months and mitigate weather impacts that have slowed attendance gains. The financial performance of the park and ride system is a concern, but organizers remain optimistic about the overall success of the World Exposition in Osaka.
References: 1. Source 1 2. Source 2 3. Source 3 4. Source 4 5. Source 5 6. Source 6 7. Source 7 8. Source 8 9. Source 9
The organizers are optimistically working to boost ticket sales, as they have yet to fully reach the 18 million tickets needed to break even financially [1]. Meanwhile, positive reviews in media and social platforms praise popular attractions like the Italian, U.S., and foreign pavilions [8].
