Rules & Regulations Released for the 2026 World Latte Art Championship in San Diego

Oct 5

The World Coffee Championships (WCC) is excited to announce the release of the 2026 World Latte Art Championship (WLAC) Rules and Regulations, setting the stage for the 20th edition of the competition. The 2026 WLAC will take place at World of Coffee San Diego, April 10–12, 2026, hosted at the San Diego Convention Center.

Since its inception in 2005, the World Latte Art Championship has celebrated the artistry and technical mastery of baristas who transform milk and espresso into intricate designs that are as visually stunning as they are skillfully executed. Each performance is evaluated for visual quality, symmetry, contrast, and originality, highlighting the fusion of precision and creativity that defines specialty coffee’s most visually engaging competition. Each WCC event serves as a catalyst for community-building and knowledge-sharing, providing a global platform where baristas, brewers, tasters, and roasters can showcase their craft, challenge the status quo, and inspire the next generation of coffee leaders.

The updated 2026 WLAC Rules and Regulations introduce flexible round configurations to allow a higher number of competitors to participate within the limits of the hosting trade show. The penalty for not serving beverages in the correct order has been clarified, and the Art Bar will now operate as a separate contest judged by the audience, with mandatory participation for all competitors. Competitors may now use cooling tools to adjust the temperature of the provided milk, though altering its composition remains prohibited.

These refinements ensure the competition continues to evolve in step with the creativity and innovation that drive the specialty coffee community, reinforcing its role as a global stage for artistic excellence and technical precision.

For the full 2026 World Latte Art Championship Rules and Regulations, visit wcc.coffee/rules-regulations.

Make sure to join us at the 2026 World Coffee Championships:

San Diego World Coffee Championships

April 10–12, 2026 at World of Coffee San Diego in San Diego, CA, USA
Featuring the World Latte Art Championship

Bangkok World Coffee Championships

May 7–9, 2026 at World of Coffee Bangkok at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre: BITEC
Featuring the Featuring the World Cup Tasters Championship

Brussels World Coffee Championships

June 25–27, 2026 at World of Coffee Brussels at Brussels Expo in Brussels, Belgium
Featuring the World Brewers Cup, World Coffee Roasting Championship, and World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship