New Stamps Debut at the Boston 2026 World Expo
During the eight days of the show, the Postal Service will host six first-day-of-issue ceremonies and one special dedication ceremony
Just days away now, the upcoming Boston 2026 World Expo will draw collectors from near and far for the week-long, once-a-decade event celebrating stamps. It will also be the location of six first-day-of-issue ceremonies, giving the public a chance to celebrate the release of a new stamp with some of the people responsible for creating it. Here's the line-up:
Treasures of the Revolutionary Era
9 a.m., Saturday, May 23
BCEC Ballroom (Level 3)
On Saturday, May 23, Treasures of the Revolutionary Era will be unveiled as part of the opening ceremony for the 2026 Boston World Expo. Featuring 10 artifacts that tell the story of the American Revolution, these 20 stamps are meant to bring the era to life. The objects include an inscribed teapot, paper currency, the Commander-in-Chief Flag, a watercolor depicting George Washington’s varied army, a powder horn, a spinning wheel, a map of the Battle of Yorktown, the Badge of Military Merit, a treaty wampum belt, and a patriotic signboard. Through these objects, we glimpse the vision, determination, and unwavering commitment of those who built a new nation.
Stamp Encore
11 a.m., Sunday, May 24
Show Floor Stage: Exhibit Hall A
Most first-day-of-issue events aren’t a surprise, but the unveiling of the Stamp Encore winner certainly will be. Chosen by over 500,000 votes from the public for one of the 25 most popular stamps over the last three decades to be reissued, and it will finally be revealed at the expo. An envelope containing the winner has been traveling to first-day-of-issue events this year, starting in Kentucky for the Muhammad Ali ceremony and making ten more stops before the Boston 2026 World Expo.
11 a.m., Monday, May 25
Show Floor Stage Exhibit Hall A
The iconic national mammal of the United States is celebrated with this stamp featuring a photograph of a wild buffalo in Yellowstone National Park. The photo was converted to black and white and is sepia-tinted to recall the buffalo stamp issued in 1923. Buffaloes can weigh a ton, reach over six feet tall at the shoulder, and grow to 11 feet long, making it the largest land mammal in North America. Through continuing efforts, the once-endangered animal is again roaming the country.
11 a.m., Tuesday, May 26
Show Floor Stage: Exhibit Hall A
These distinctive triangular global stamps celebrate Postcrossing, a website that has inspired more than 85 million postcards to be sent around the world. Created in 2005 by Portuguese student Paulo Magalhães, who found that receiving postcards in the mail always made his day a little brighter, more than 805,000 people in more than 200 countries and territories have joined in. Today, more than 300,000 Postcrossing postcards are on their way to recipients at any given moment. You can even send some from the stamp show!
11 a.m., Wednesday, May 27
Show Floor Stage: Exhibit Hall A
This International Peace stamp showcases an origami crane folded by Peace Crane Project founder Sue DiCicco. The origins of the folded crane as a peace symbol began with Sadako Sasaki, who was two years old when she was exposed to the atomic bomb in Hiroshima in 1945. She was diagnosed with leukemia at age 12, in February 1955, and while hospitalized, she began folding origami cranes. The practice of folding 1,000 cranes is believed to grant one wish to anyone who completes the task. Cranes folded by Sadako are now on display around the world, inspiring us to work toward peace.
11 a.m., Thursday, May 28
Show Floor Stage: Exhibit Hall A
This stamp celebrates the long history and rapid growth of soccer in the U.S. as our nation prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the biggest sporting event in the world. Players often cite representing their country at the World Cup as the highlight of their careers. In 2026, the United States will host 78 matches in 11 different locations. The final will be held on July 19 in New Jersey. With the United States hosting, soccer’s popularity is expected to flourish in the country.
EXTRA! — Figures of the American Revolution Special Dedication
11 a.m., Friday, May 29
Show Floor Stage: Exhibit Hall A
These stamps pay tribute to 25 individuals whose ideas, leadership, and sacrifices were vital to achieving American independence and shaping the new nation. Representing a range of roles and perspectives — from political thinkers and military leaders to writers, diplomats, and everyday citizens — the honorees reflect the collective effort that defined the Revolution. A total of 12 different artists created the portraits, ranging from famous figures, like George Washington, to the lesser known contributors, like Cornplanter, but all were important in the founding of our nation.
Register here to attend any of the first-day-of-issue events at the expo!