The World Latte Art Championship (WLAC) highlights artistic expression in a competition that challenges the barista in an on-demand performance. Baristas are judged based on visual attributes, creativity, identical patterns in the pairs, contrast in patterns, and overall performance.

For the preliminary round of the championship, competitors have eight minutes to create two identical free-pour lattes and two identical designer pattern lattes (which allow etching and decoration).

2024 rules changes introduced a Semi-Final round, which includes the Art Bar and the stage component. The Art Bar is a chance for the audience to get up close and see some eye-catching designs, with competitors producing one latte pattern in five minutes. On the main stage, competitors produce six beverages in 10 minutes – two sets of matching free-pour lattes and 2 matching free-pour macchiatos.

The top six semi-finals competitors qualify for the final round, where competitors make two sets of matching sets of free-pour latte patterns, and two matching designer pattern lattes. The top-scoring competitor in the final round is declared the World Latte Art Champion.