The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has released updated rules and regulations for the 2025 World Coffee Roasting Championship.
The updated rules and scoresheets are the first of the 2025 World Coffee Championships (WCC) season and will be used at the world finals at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Texas, United States, from 25 to 27 April.
This round of updates primarily clarifies and formalises existing practices. Key changes include revised competitor registration procedures and updates to the selection of green coffee provided.
Formalised processes have been introduced for measuring coffee colour, using personal notes and hearing protection, and grinding coffee. Competitors are now required to specify the ratio and quantities used in their blend, with penalties introduced for late submissions or incomplete information to emphasise its importance in coffee evaluation.
The evaluation process has been expanded to allow more than five descriptors for certain attributes, with adjustments made to how some examples are categorised. Additionally, the appeals and complaints process at both Competition Body and World-level events has been streamlined, now requiring submissions via an online form.
Updates to the rules and regulations are overseen by the WCC Competitions Strategic Committee. The rules documents, summaries of changes, scoresheets, and new appeals form are now available on the new website for the World Coffee Championships.
Locations and dates for the 2025 World Coffee Championships:
Houston World Coffee Championships
- 25 to 27 April at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston, United States
- Featuring the World Coffee Roasting Championship
Jakarta World Coffee Championships - 15 to 17 May at World of Coffee in Jakarta, Indonesia
- Featuring the World Brewers CupGeneva World Coffee Championships
- 26 to 28 June at World of Coffee in Geneva, Switzerland
- Featuring the World Latte Art, World Coffee in Good Spirits, World Cup
Tasters, and Cezve/Ibrik ChampionshipsMilan World Coffee Championships - 17 to 21 October at HostMilano in Milan, Italy
- Featuring the 25th World Barista Championship
