Aotearoa Brewers Cup Championship ‘26
After growing demand and anticipation, the Aotearoa Brewers Cup Championship returns in 2026!
The 2026 Aotearoa Brewers Cup Championship will be held across two days, in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau in conjunction with the Cup Tasters Championship for an eventful weekend of coffee!
Dates: Friday 1st May – Saturday 2nd May
Location: The Tuesday Club – 42 Airedale St, Auckland CBD
Ticket Release: Tuesday 10th February 2026, 7 pm NZT via Humanitix
About the Competition Format
The Brewers Cup Championship highlights the craft of manual filter coffee brewing through flavour clarity and service excellence. Competitors must prepare and serve 3 cups of coffee, each brewed individually, for a panel 3 judges.
With 18 competitors, the 2026 Aotearoa Brewers Cup will consist of two rounds – Preliminary and Finals. The Top 6 competitors from the Preliminary round will advance to the Finals.
There are two different service types:
Open Service: Competitors must use their own whole-bean coffee to prepare and serve 3 cups of coffee to a panel of judges, accompanied by a presentation that enhances the coffee experience. Open Service will be presented in both Preliminary and Finals rounds.
Compulsory Service: In Compulsory Service, ALL competitors will use the same whole-bean coffee, the same grinder and water, and the same standardised service vessels as provided by the Brewers Cup competition. Competitors will be provided with their whole-bean coffee soon before their practice and competition times, during which they will practice, prepare and serve 3 cups of coffee. Compulsory Service will only be presented in the Finals round.
The competitor with the highest combined score in the Finals round will be named the 2026 Aotearoa Brewers Cup Champion, representing our country at the World Brewers Cup Championship held at the World of Coffee Bogotá 2027. Flights and accommodation are covered, thanks to the support of our sponsors and competitor entry fees.
The 2026 Aotearoa Brewers Cup Championship will follow the 2026 World Brewers Cup Championship Rules & Regulations.
Judges Information
This year, we will have an international WCC Representative, Catherine Gu, attend the championship to oversee the competition and judging. Catherine brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, making this a valuable learning experience for judges.
Championship Calibration is a mandatory requirement for all judges. There will be a knowledge test of R&R with a minimum pass rate before confirming your participation. Calibration will be held before the competition to ensure alignment and fair judging, judges panels are chosen after the calibration on site, by the NZSCA Judges Committee.
Competition Governance
The New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association holds the official licence for the National Cup Tasters’ Championship. The competition is delivered in strict accordance with World Coffee Championships rules and standards.
Resources
- 2026 World Brewers Cup Championship Rules & Regulations
- NZ Competitor Code of Conduct
- Find out more about the World Coffee Championships
Sponsors
Thanks to our generous sponsors who make this competition possible:
Brewers Cup Championship 2026
Dates: 1/2 May
Thanks to our generous sponsors who make this competition possible:
- Principal: OPEN
- Grinder: AMC Roastery Supply – HeyCafé Jack Grinder
- Coffee sponsor: Atomic Coffee Roasters for compulsory round
- Water: Machine Limited – BWT Water
- Ceramics/Porcelain: Acme Cup Co – Union Mug for compulsory round
- Cleaning Supplies: OPEN
- Equipment: OPEN
- Event partner(s): : Meadow Fresh
- Sponsor: Ārepa
Bevan Cammell Representing: Sacred Grounds
Atomic TBC Representing: Atomic Coffee Roasters
Hyungwon Choi Representing: Phlox Coffee Cottage
Woohyung Lee Representing: Old Dog/Holiday.
Shintaro Tanaka Independent
Dove Chen Representing: Grey Roasting Co.
Honoka Kawashima Representing: Sketchbook Coffee
Saehoon Ahn Representing: Parable House
Javiera Vergara Representing: Turist Coffee
Agnese Sokolovska Representing: Cata Export
Ben Harvey Representing: Bean Soup
Farrel Maulana Arsy Representing: C4 Coffee Co.
Neil He Independent
Nick Schryvers Representing: Victus Coffee & Eatery
Subin Choi Independent