Universal Developing New Wizarding World Ahead of ‘Harry Potter’ Reboot

As HBO prepares to reboot Harry Potter this Christmas, Universal may already be planning another Wizarding World.

The franchise is entering a major new chapter in 2026. HBO’s television adaptation will introduce a new Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, along with redesigned versions of Hogwarts and other locations first brought to the screen more than 20 years ago.

Universal, meanwhile, is working on its own major expansion.

The company is building its first European theme park in Bedfordshire, England, with Universal United Kingdom Resort currently scheduled to open in 2031. Universal has confirmed the resort itself, but has not announced which franchises will feature inside the park.

Recent evidence suggests Harry Potter could be among them.

Evidence Points to Another Wizarding World

Theme park reporter Alicia Stella (via Orlando ParkStop) recently uncovered a listing in PCL Construction’s HammerTech project management system titled “Project 1307 UUKR WWoHP.”

“UUKR” appears to refer to Universal United Kingdom Resort, while “WWoHP” is commonly used as an abbreviation for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The wording was later removed from the listing, while the project page itself was subsequently locked from public access.

Universal has not confirmed that PCL is working on the Bedfordshire resort, nor has it announced a Harry Potter land for the park.

PCL’s history with the franchise, however, makes the listing notable.

The company previously worked on Universal Orlando Resort’s original Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including elements of Hogsmeade, Hogwarts Castle, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

PCL has also worked on Wizarding World projects at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Beijing Resort.

The listing follows earlier reports claiming that Universal is considering a Hogsmeade-themed area for its UK park.

Those reports have suggested the land could include Hogwarts Castle and another version of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the attraction that first opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in 2010.

None of those details has been confirmed by Universal.

If the reports prove accurate, Bedfordshire would become the latest destination in Universal’s growing Harry Potter portfolio.

Universal Orlando now has three Wizarding World areas: Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, and the Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe.

Harry Potter attractions can also be found at Universal parks in Hollywood, Japan, and Beijing.

Universal Expansion Comes as HBO Reboots Harry Potter

Any new Wizarding World would arrive several years into HBO’s new Harry Potter era.

The television series is set to premiere on December 25, 2026, with Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger.

John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore, while Janet McTeer has been cast as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.

The series is being filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, roughly 40 miles from Universal’s future theme park site.

HBO plans to adapt all seven of JK Rowling’s novels across multiple seasons, giving the books considerably more screen time than the original Warner Bros. films – something former Sirius Black actor Gary Oldman believes will give the series an edge over its predecessor.

Season 2 is already moving forward. Recent casting announcements include Kit Harington as Gilderoy Lockhart, Lenny Rush as Dobby, Billy Barratt as Tom Riddle, and Rafe Spall as Arthur Weasley.

By the time Universal’s UK resort opens in 2031, HBO’s version of the Wizarding World will therefore be well established.

There is currently no evidence that Universal intends to use designs from the television series inside its new park.

Previous reports have instead pointed toward Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle, suggesting the land could follow the visual style already used throughout Universal’s existing Wizarding World attractions.

Universal has so far avoided revealing any of the intellectual properties planned for Bedfordshire.

Do you think Universal should adapt the original films or the HBO reboot for its next theme park?