The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) invites manufacturers to express interest in the next cycle of Qualified Sponsorship for the World Barista Championship (WBC) for 2026-2029. The open categories include Qualified Espresso Machine, Qualified Grinder, and Qualified Water Filtration Sponsor positions.
The WBC celebrates 25 years in 2025, showcasing the finest barista skills and innovations in coffee. With over 50 national competitions held globally each year, the upcoming bidding round marks a significant milestone in advancing specialty coffee equipment.
Key Dates
- Espresso Machine Testing: January–March 2025, with eligible machines gaining access to the SCA Certified Espresso Machine Program.
- Sponsorship Bidding: Opens April 2025 for all categories: Espresso Machine, Grinder, and Water Filtration.
Eligibility and Requirements
Espresso Machines
- Testing aligns with the SCA Competition Machine Testing Specifications, ensuring high performance and reliability on the WBC stage.
- Open to manufacturers with production-ready machines by the end of 2024.
Grinders and Water Filtration
- Grinders: Global manufacturers with equipment suitable for espresso brewing are encouraged to apply.
- Water Filtration: Equipment must meet World Coffee Championship (WCC) water specifications.
Sponsorship Benefits
- Exclusive product placement on the WBC stage and WCC Coffee Bars.
- Alignment with the SCA and visibility across global trade shows and digital channels.
- Support for national and world-level competitors.
Interested manufacturers can register their interest through the official form linked below.
https://sca.coffee/sca-news/2024/11/19/submit-your-interest-in-the-2026-2029-wbc-qualified-espresso-machine-qualified-grinder-and-qualified-water-filtration-positions?mc_cid=9014dbcd16&mc_eid=f7dc875495