A new report suggests that Universal is on the cusp of announcing a massive upgrade to one of its theme parks, set to cost between $1.25 billion and $1.88 billion.Universal has been on an expansion spree. Since late 2024, it has opened Donkey Kong Country at Universal Studios Japan, Minion Land in Singapore, Epic Universe in Orlando, Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas, and the kid-focused (but controversial) Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.Credit: UniversalAnd it is not slowing down. Universal has announced a second Horror Unleashed venue in Chicago (although updates are thin on the ground for when this will come to fruition) and plans for its first UK theme park and resort in Bedford, while existing resorts continue adding major attractions.Massive Theme Park Update Heading to Universal Theme ParkAccording to a new report from Nikkei, these plans include a huge expansion for Universal Studios Japan.The project would reportedly see between 200 billion yen and 300 billion yen invested into the Osaka resort, making it one of Universal’s most significant recent development projects.Credit: Dick Thomas Johnson, FlickrUniversal is said to be eyeing a roughly 60,000-square-meter site next to the existing park for new attractions. If it moves forward, it would mark the first time Universal Studios Japan has expanded its physical footprint since opening in 2001.The additional land sits north of the current park on the site of a former Nippon Steel factory. Nikkei reports that Universal’s operator could sign a lease with Osaka’s municipal government around 2028 for the city-owned portion of the site.The expansion would also give Universal more room to grow attendance beyond its current 16 million annual visitors. The park already attracts more guests than any other theme park in Japan, with rising international tourism helping to fuel demand.For now, though, Universal is staying quiet. A spokesperson for Universal Destinations & Experiences told Reuters that the company has not confirmed any expansion plans for Universal Studios Japan.Credit: Universal Studios JapanToday, Universal Studios Japan is packed with major franchises, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Minion Park, and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. The Nintendo land was expanded in 2024 with Donkey Kong Country, adding Mine Cart Madness to its existing lineup of attractions, such as Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge.Elsewhere, longtime staples include Hollywood Dream – The Ride, JAWS, Jurassic Park – The Ride, and the WaterWorld stunt show. Universal also regularly rotates limited-time entertainment and collaborations, with its 25th anniversary celebrations currently joined by properties including One Piece and Frieren.The park is also famously busy. Universal Studios Japan welcomed an estimated 16 million guests in 2024, making it Japan’s most-visited individual theme park and beating Tokyo Disneyland’s 15.1 million. Demand is so high that SUPER NINTENDO WORLD often operates with timed-entry requirements to control crowds.Space is increasingly at a premium. New attractions have previously meant squeezing more into the existing park or redeveloping older areas, making an additional 60,000 square meters particularly significant as Universal hopes to accommodate even more visitors.What would you like to see at an expanded Universal Studios Japan?The post Universal Set To Announce $1.88 Billion New Location for Theme Park After 25 Years appeared first on Inside the Magic.