Announcing the 2026–2029 World Brewers Cup Qualified Filter Grinder Sponsor and 2026 Competition Rules & Regulations
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) announces the new Qualified Filter Grinder Sponsor for the 2026–2029 World Brewers Cup (WBrC), marking the first Qualified sponsorship for this competition.
2026–2029 WBrC Qualified Filter Grinder:
As the World Brewers Cup continues to grow in prestige, showcasing the art, craft, and technical skill of manual brewing on a global stage, the Qualified Filter Grinder position represents a significant opportunity for equipment manufacturers to contribute to one of the most influential competitions in specialty coffee. OPTION-O, founded in 2016 by a team of engineers turned coffee enthusiasts in Melbourne, Australia, is dedicated to engineering tools that empower brewers, and the LAGOM 01 is designed with precision in mind—delivering a seamless workflow that enables brewers to effortlessly prepare delicious coffee with minimal effort.
Through the World Coffee Championships, the SCA advances its mission to build community, foster innovation, create meaningful career pathways, and inspire consumers to explore possibilities of specialty coffee. The World Brewers Cup embodies this mission by bringing brewers, manufacturers, and coffee professionals together to exchange ideas, celebrate excellence, and help shape the future of the industry.
“The World Brewers Cup continues to grow as the global stage where manual brewing is defined by precision, sensory science, and the stories brewers bring to life. Each year, the competition pushes the boundaries of technique and innovation, challenging competitors to showcase the full potential of specialty coffee. OPTION-O’s commitment to purposeful, human-centered engineering aligns with this pursuit, strengthening the foundation on which brewers can innovate and express their coffees on the world stage,” said Yannis Apostolopoulos, Chief Executive Officer of the Specialty Coffee Association.
OPTION-O LAGOM 01 Grinder
The Qualified Filter Grinder sponsor for the 2026–2029 cycle, the OPTION-O LAGOM 01 Grinder, will play a crucial role in delivering key equipment that supports the World Brewers Cup and allows competitors to showcase the craft and skill of manual filter coffee brewing. Sam Law of OPTION-O stated, "It is a privilege for OPTION-O to partner with the Specialty Coffee Association and to stand behind brewers around the world over the next four years. The global coffee community continues to shape our journey and inspires us to refine the tools that empower brewers. We are grateful for this exciting opportunity to support and work alongside brewers worldwide.”
2026 Competition Rules & Regulations
The SCA has also released the 2026 World Brewers Cup Rules and Regulations. The 2026 season marks the first year that standardized sponsor-provided grinders will be mandatory in both the Compulsory and Open Service rounds. As the WBrC continues to grow, this update supports greater consistency and ensures world-class conditions for all competitors. Aligning with equipment standards used across other World Coffee Championships, this evolution helps maintain fairness and uphold the competition’s high technical standards. Additional refinements this season include a longer setup time on stage for Open Service, simplified service requirements with the removal of the previously required additional service vessel, clearer time and penalty definitions, a fixed six-competitor Final Round, and minor terminology updates that, together, reinforce clarity and efficiency for the competition.
The 2026 World Brewers Cup will take place June 25–27, 2026, at World of Coffee Brussels at Brussels Expo in Brussels, Belgium.
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
Bogotá World Coffee Championships
September 30–October 2, 2027 at World of Coffee Bogotá in Bogotá, Colombia
Featuring the World Brewers Cup
