World of Coffee Dubai to host the 2026 Cezve/Ibrik Championship
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is proud to announce that World of Coffee Dubai 2026 will host the 2026 Cezve/Ibrik Championship (CIC). Taking place January 18 – 20, 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, this event marks the first stage of the 2026 World Coffee Championships (WCC) season.
With the 2026 edition of World of Coffee Dubai anticipated to be the largest yet, the show provides a fitting stage for the Cezve/Ibrik Championship and the traditions it celebrates.
Produced by partners DXB Live, World of Coffee Dubai has quickly established itself as the Middle East’s leading coffee trade show. First launched in 2022 through a collaboration between the SCA, DXB Live, and the volunteer leaders of the SCA UAE Chapter, the show continues to connect producers, manufacturers, retailers, and industry leaders while highlighting the region’s growing role in the global coffee landscape.
The Cezve/Ibrik Championship, a competition that pays tribute to one of the world’s oldest brewing traditions and is expected to be an especially fitting addition to the World of Coffee Dubai show floor. The cezve, also known as an ibrik, is a small pot with a long handle and distinctive flared brim, traditionally crafted from copper, brass, or ceramic. Used across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, it represents a centuries-old method of preparing coffee. The championship invites competitors to bring cultural expression and personal style to their performances, celebrating the artistry of this traditional brew in a modern competition setting. By staging this championship in Dubai, the event honors local cultural heritage while spotlighting the global specialty coffee community in a city that is rapidly becoming a hub for innovation, trade, and cultural exchange in coffee.
Khalid Al Mulla, National Coordinator of the UAE Coffee Championships, commented: “We are truly honored to welcome the Cezve/Ibrik Championship to Dubai. This event represents more than just competition — it’s a celebration of tradition, craftsmanship, and cultural connection. Bringing it to the UAE reinforces Dubai’s position as a bridge between the coffee cultures of the East and the West.”
This announcement is coupled with the release of the 2026 CIC Rules and Regulations.
All rules documents, summaries of changes, scoresheets, and new appeals form are now available at wcc.coffee/rules-regulations.
The Dubai World Coffee Championships will carry forward the mission of the World Coffee Championships: to serve as a catalyst for community-building and knowledge-sharing, while providing a stage 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:
Dubai World Coffee Championships
January 18–20, 2026 at World of Coffee Dubai | Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
Featuring the Cezve/Ibrik Championship
San Diego World Coffee Championships
April 10–12, 2026 at World of Coffee San Diego | San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA, USA
Featuring the World Latte Art Championship
Bangkok World Coffee Championships
May 7–9, 2026 at World of Coffee Bangkok | Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre: BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand
Featuring the Featuring the World Cup Tasters Championship
Brussels World Coffee Championships
June 25–27, 2026 at World of Coffee Brussels | Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium
Featuring the World Brewers Cup, World Coffee Roasting Championship, and World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship
Panama City World Coffee Championships
October 22-25, 2026 at World of Coffee Panama | Panama Convention Center, Panama City, Panama
Featuring the World Barista Championship
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