August 2, 2025 – Qahwa World – The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has officially revealed the next chapter in its globally acclaimed competition series: the 2026 World Coffee Championships (WCC) will take center stage in Bangkok, Thailand, and Brussels, Belgium, marking two pivotal milestones in the calendar for the global specialty coffee community.
The WCC season will kick off with the World Latte Art Championship at World of Coffee San Diego, taking place April 10–12, 2026. From there, the spotlight moves to Southeast Asia, where Bangkok will host the World Cup Tasters Championship at World of Coffee Bangkok, May 7–9, 2026, at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) — the first time the event will be held in Thailand.
The season then heads to Europe, where World of Coffee Brussels will serve as the venue for three globally recognized competitions: the World Brewers Cup (WBrC), World Coffee Roasting Championship (WCRC), and World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship (WCIGS). These events will unfold at the Brussels Expo, from June 25–27, 2026.
The championship circuit will culminate in Panama City, where the World Barista Championship will be held at World of Coffee Panama, October 23–25, 2026.
A Global Celebration of Specialty Coffee
Each WCC event is more than a competition — it is a celebration of coffee craft, community, and innovation. These championships offer a platform for the industry’s best baristas, brewers, tasters, and roasters to showcase their skills, push boundaries, and connect with an international audience.
SCA’s selection of Bangkok and Brussels for 2026 reflects a broader mission to bring specialty coffee events to culturally rich, emerging, and established coffee markets around the world.
“Each WCC event serves as a catalyst for community-building and knowledge-sharing, while providing a space where professionals can challenge the status quo and inspire the next generation of coffee leaders,” the SCA stated.
Spotlight on Bangkok and Brussels
Bangkok, a city where tradition meets innovation, offers a dynamic stage for the World Cup Tasters Championship — a competition focused on sensory skill, speed, and accuracy. As Thailand’s coffee industry grows rapidly, this event is expected to amplify the region’s influence on the global stage.
Meanwhile, Brussels, known for its rich coffee heritage and central location in Europe, will host three technically demanding championships. The Brewers Cup will showcase manual brewing and storytelling, the Roasting Championship will focus on profiling precision, and the Coffee in Good Spirits competition will celebrate the fusion of coffee and mixology.
2026 World Coffee Championships Schedule:
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World Latte Art Championship
📍 San Diego, USA
📅 April 10–12, 2026
🏢 World of Coffee San Diego -
World Cup Tasters Championship
📍 Bangkok, Thailand
📅 May 7–9, 2026
🏢 World of Coffee Bangkok – BITEC -
World Brewers Cup, Coffee Roasting, and Coffee in Good Spirits Championships
📍 Brussels, Belgium
📅 June 25–27, 2026
🏢 World of Coffee Brussels – Brussels Expo -
World Barista Championship
📍 Panama City, Panama
📅 October 23–25, 2026
🏢 World of Coffee Panama
For ongoing updates and details about the events, visit wcc.coffee or subscribe to the WCC newsletter.
