World of Coffee Dubai 2026 Concludes Fifth Edition

World of Coffee Dubai 2026 has concluded its fifth edition with remarkable success, recording over 20,000 visits from specialty coffee professionals across more than 80 countries. The event, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, reinforced Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for the specialty coffee industry and announced winners across multiple championship categories and competitions.

The fifth edition of World of Coffee Dubai 2026 witnessed unprecedented international participation, with more than 2,100 exhibiting companies and brands from 78 countries showcasing their products and services. This remarkable growth in visitor numbers and exhibitor participation reflects the continued expansion of the specialty coffee market and the increasing importance of Dubai as a central meeting point for industry professionals, producers, roasters, manufacturers, and buyers across the entire coffee value chain.

Championship Winners and Industry Recognition

The final day of World of Coffee Dubai 2026 marked the conclusion of four championship competitions, recognizing technical excellence and professional achievement. Jean Espanti from the United Arab Emirates was crowned champion of the prestigious Cezve/Ibrik World Championship, celebrating one of the world’s oldest coffee brewing traditions through contemporary specialty coffee standards.

In the UAE National Barista Championship, Adam Rubin from Benchmark Coffee secured the national title, with Nooran Albannay from Coffee Architecture placing second and Serkan Sagsoz from Julith Coffee in third position. The UAE National Latte Art Championship recognized Jomar Morales from Benchmark Coffee in first place, followed by Mark Lyster Gimeno from Heaf and Win Min Htike from Jebena Specialty Coffee. Nizam Basha Luwang from Espressi was named Roaster of the Year, demonstrating excellence in roast development and flavor profiling.

Innovation Awards and Product Recognition

Innovation and creativity were celebrated through the event’s comprehensive awards program. Sage received the Best New Product Award for The Oracle Dual Boiler, recognizing outstanding innovation in coffee equipment and brewing technology. Coffee Market Innovations (CMI) won the Best Design Award, celebrating excellence in stand design, creativity, and brand presentation on the exhibition floor.

The Dubai Coffee Auction program delivered significant commercial results, with the Dubai Coffee Equipment Auction on Day One and the Exhibitors’ Coffee Auction on Day Three producing major milestones. A Bolivian coffee reached USD 386 per kilogram, marking the origin’s second highest price on record, while the first continental U.S. coffee offered at auction set a new price benchmark. The auctions achieved record diversity with 13 origins represented in a single auction, reinforcing World of Coffee Dubai’s role as a transparent, trade-driven marketplace for global buyers and producers.

Strong Demand for 2027 Edition

As World of Coffee Dubai 2026 concluded, organizers confirmed strong demand for the next edition. Fifty percent of the exhibition space for the sixth edition of World of Coffee Dubai 2027 has already been booked, with Brazil and other countries announcing increases in their national pavilion spaces. The 2027 edition is scheduled to take place from January 26-28, 2027, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

“World of Coffee Dubai has firmly established itself as a platform where the specialty coffee industry comes together to celebrate excellence, exchange knowledge, and conduct meaningful business. The remarkable growth in visitor numbers, along with the strong early demand for exhibition space for the 2027 edition, reflects the role of both Dubai and the event as a hub connecting markets, talent, and opportunities.”
Khalid Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of DXB LIVE

The fifth edition also witnessed significant partnership developments. A three-year partnership agreement was signed to organize the Bahrain Coffee Festival between DXB LIVE, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and Exhibition World Bahrain. Additionally, a five-year partnership extension was signed between World of Coffee Dubai and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), extending their collaboration through 2031. These partnerships underscore the growing importance of specialty coffee events across the Middle East region and the commitment to fostering professional excellence and industry growth.