A New Season of Global Coffee Distinction
PORTLAND – QAHWA WORLD
The Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) has officially released the highly anticipated 2026 Cup of Excellence (COE) and National Winner (NW) competition calendar. This upcoming season marks another year of dedication to discovering the finest coffees across the globe, bringing together producers, buyers, and the specialty coffee community to celebrate unparalleled quality and transparency.
Whether you are a roaster planning your bidding strategy, a cupper preparing to join an International Jury, or a coffee enthusiast following the journey of exceptional micro-lots, this calendar serves as your essential guide for the 2026 season.
2026 Competition & Auction Schedule
The 2026 circuit covers key origins from Central America to Asia. Below is the comprehensive schedule of International Jury weeks and their corresponding auction dates:
| Country | International Jury Week | COE Auction Date | National Winner Auction |
| Nicaragua | May 11 – 15 | June 25 | – |
| El Salvador | May 11 – 15 | July 2 | – |
| Honduras | May 19 – 23 | July 16 | – |
| Costa Rica | May 25 – 30 | July 9 | – |
| Guatemala | June 1 – 4 | July 23 | July 20 – 24 |
| Mexico | June 8 – 12 | July 28 | July 27 – 31 |
| Thailand | June 8 – 12 | July 30 | July 27 – 31 |
| Taiwan | June 15 – 19 | August 13 | August 10 – 14 |
| Indonesia | October 13 – 17 | November 26 | – |
| Brazil (Main) | October 19 – 24 | December 1 | November 23 – 27 |
| Brazil (Naturals) | October 26 – 31 | December 8 | December 1 – 4 |
Key Opportunities for Professionals
In addition to the auctions, ACE has announced that International Jury applications will officially open on January 1st, 2026. This is a unique opportunity for qualified sensory experts to evaluate the world’s highest-scoring coffees at their origin.
The organization reminds participants that the calendar is subject to continuous updates to align with harvest conditions. For registrations, sample sets, and the latest updates, please visit: AllianceForCoffeeExcellence.org.
