World Coffee Championships Head to Bangkok & Brussels in 2026

Jul 30

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is thrilled to announce two new host cities for the 2026 World Coffee Championships season. Following the previously announced start to the season at the 2026 World Latte Art Championship at the premier World of Coffee San Diego, the World Cup Tasters Championship (WCTC) will take place at World of Coffee Bangkok, May 7–9, 2026, at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC). Shortly after, World of Coffee Brussels, happening June 25–27, 2026 at Brussels Expo, will host three global championships: the World Brewers Cup (WBrC), World Coffee Roasting Championship (WCRC), and the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship (WCIGS). The season will then conclude with the 2026 World Barista Championship at World of Coffee Panama, as previously announced.

The 2026 World Coffee Championship events continue to advance a new chapter for the World Coffee Championships (WCC), bringing competitions to regions that reflect both the heritage and the ever-expanding future of specialty coffee. With every championship stage, WCC and the SCA furthers its mission to foster innovation, build communities, create pathways for professional growth, and inspire a global audience to engage with coffee in deeper and more meaningful ways.

World of Coffee Bangkok marks the first time the World Cup Tasters Championship will be held in Thailand. Bangkok, a vibrant city at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, offers a dynamic backdrop for this sensory-driven competition where speed, accuracy, and palate mastery are put to the ultimate test. As the specialty coffee scene in Southeast Asia continues to flourish, this event will spotlight the region’s talent and energy while welcoming a global coffee audience.

World of Coffee Brussels will play host to three distinct and highly technical competitions; each celebrating a unique aspect of the specialty coffee value chain. The World Brewers Cup highlights manual brewing mastery and storytelling; the World Coffee Roasting Championship recognizes precision and skill in roast profiling; and the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship bridges coffee and mixology to explore flavor innovation. Brussels, with its global accessibility and historic coffee culture, is an ideal setting to bring together professionals, champions, and consumers from around the world.

Each WCC event serves as a catalyst for community-building and knowledge-sharing, while providing a space where baristas, brewers, tasters, and roasters can showcase their craft, challenge the status quo, and inspire the next generation of coffee leaders.

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