With just one week to go, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is putting the finishing touches on World of Coffee Brussels 2026, taking place 25-27 June at Brussels Expo. As the largest specialty coffee tradeshow in Europe and the first time the event will be held in Brussels, this edition promises an unmatched range of opportunities for coffee professionals throughout the value chain. Industry professionals are encouraged to register in advance to make the most of everything on offer.

World of Coffee Brussels will host three World Coffee Championship competitions, each bringing together the best in the world to compete live in front of audiences.

1. The World Brewers Cup, presented by title sponsor Brewista, challenges competitors to push coffee and water to new heights, combining a compulsory technical round with an original stage performance that showcases skill, artistry, and storytelling.
2. The World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship, presented by title sponsor Fo Food, sits at the intersection of coffee and cocktail culture. Competitors face two intense rounds, including the unpredictable Spirit Bar, before six finalists battle it out with a signature coffee cocktail and a classic Irish Coffee.
3. The World Coffee Roasting Championship, presented by title sponsor InterAmerican, puts precision and sensory skill to the test, with competitors roasting both a single-origin coffee and a custom blend from identical green coffee.

A highlight of this year’s show will be the Best New Product Awards and Coffee Design Awards, recognising the products and technologies shaping where the specialty coffee industry is headed next. From new equipment to packaging and sustainability solutions, the awards offer a window into the innovation driving the industry forward, and a must-see for anyone curious about what’s next for coffee.

Beyond the show floor, World of Coffee Brussels offers an extensive programme of workshops and lectures. Workshop registration remains open, with sessions covering coffee business, brewing, sustainability, sensory skills, and more. Attendees are encouraged to register early, as spaces are limited.

Among the SCA Lecture Series sessions, a public roundtable on 25 June (15:00-16:15) will present new economic research on coffee’s contribution to the EU economy, situating it within the global value chain. Open to all attendees, the session offers a first look at new data and analysis informing the broader policy conversation around coffee.

Elsewhere on the show floor, the Roaster Villages and new Producer Village will connect attendees with 112 roasters, producers, and coffee professionals from around the world, while Green Coffee Connect brings together producers, importers, exporters, traders, and roasters for dedicated networking and business opportunities.

Each edition of World of Coffee shines a spotlight on a single origin country through its Portrait Country programme to celebrate that country’s producers, culture, and contribution to the global coffee value chain. This year, the SCA is delighted to welcome Uganda as Portrait Country of World of Coffee Brussels 2026.

Hon. Desire Muhooza (MP), minister of state for agriculture, Republic of Uganda noted “In a global market rightfully focused on sustainability and transparency, Uganda offers a partnership built on shared history and mutual growth. Being selected as the Portrait Country at World of Coffee in Brussels—the seat of the European Union—is deeply meaningful for us and is the perfect location to officially launch our national coffee brand, Uganda Coffee.

The EU has long been a strong supporter of Uganda’s coffee sector, funding milestone projects that continue to directly improve the livelihoods of millions in our rural communities. It is this collaborative spirit, paired with the relentless drive of our farmers, that has propelled Uganda to become Africa’s number one coffee exporter. Guided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, we are fully prepared to meet Europe’s evolving traceability standards. Nurturing our land while producing world-class coffee comes effortlessly to us; it’s in our nature.”

Uganda has a full programme across all three days of the show, with attendees invited to visit booth #7504, join cuppings, and take part in what promises to be a historic moment for Ugandan coffee at World of Coffee Brussels.

World of Coffee Brussels will also host the announcement of the 100 Best Coffee Shops in Europe, celebrated at a dedicated gala during the show, and recognising the cafés setting the standard for hospitality and quality across the continent.

World of Coffee Brussels 2026 takes place 25-27 June at Brussels Expo. Registration, workshop bookings, and volunteer applications are open now at europe.worldofcoffee.org. Coffee professionals and industry stakeholders are encouraged to register early to take advantage of the event’s extensive business, networking, and educational opportunities.