The Grand Egyptian Museum has announced that its planned grand opening, originally set to take place this summer, will now happen later in 2025. The project has already been delayed several times due to logistical, political and financial delays.
In a statement, the museum said:
“In light of the current regional developments, it has been decided to postpone the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which was originally scheduled for July 3rd.
“A new date for the official opening will be set during the last quarter of this year, and it will be announced in due course, following coordination with all relevant authorities to ensure the organization of an event that reflects Egypt’s prominent cultural and tourism status on the international stage.
“This decision also stems from Egypt’s national responsibility and its commitment to presenting a truly exceptional global event in an atmosphere worthy of the grandeur of Egyptian civilization and its unique heritage, and in a way that ensures broad international participation aligned with the significance of the occasion.
“The Grand Egyptian Museum will continue to welcome visitors as part of its soft opening phase until the newly scheduled date for the official inauguration later this year.”
Museum soft-opened in 2024
When it fully opens, the Grand Egyptian Museum, a $1 billion project that has been in development for almost two decades, will be the largest in the world dedicated to a single civilisation.
It will house a collection of more than 100,000 artefacts across 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history. Highlights include the Tutankhamun collection, which will have its own exhibition space to showcase all 5,600 objects retrieved from the pharaoh’s tomb.
Atef Moftah, general director of the Grand Egyptian Museum project, previously said the new institution will be “a gift to humanity”.
It soft opened to the public in October 2024, with visitors able to see the main hall and 12 completed galleries.
