Back by popular demand, the Roasters Playground at MICE offers a microcosm of Australia’s vibrant roasting community.
The Roasters Playground will return to MICE26, cementing its status as one of the event’s most talked-about and energising innovations. Created to shine a light on Australia’s vibrant roasting community, the concept gives roasters dedicated half-day slots to showcase their coffees to thousands of engaged industry professionals and enthusiasts.
For MICE first-timers, it has quickly become a must-see section on the trade floor. It won’t be hard to miss – just look for the signage and large crowds.
“Roaster’s Playground is the best representation of the Australian coffee scene … it’s a celebration of the diversity of different roasters in one concentrated location,” says Siobhan Rocks, General Manager – Events at Prime Creative Media.
“Cafés are where most people experience coffee, but roasters are behind all of that – they’re really fuelling those great café experiences.”
Supported again in 2026 by La Marzocco and Riverina Fresh – with alternative milks supplied by MILKLAB – the concept continues to attract strong participation from a vital segment of the market. It’s expected to attract 30-plus roasters ready to showcase the latest coffees they’ve been working on.
The exposure also puts them in the running to be crowned Australia’s Favourite Coffee – which Zest Coffee won in 2025 – as voted by MICE attendees at the event.
“In celebrating the craft behind the cup, Roasters Playground captures the collaborative spirit and quality that define Australia’s coffee industry,” Siobhan says.
“There was a real buzz around this concept in 2025, and we expect to replicate that again in 2026 with an even stronger line-up. See you there!”
| Day 1: Thursday 26 March | ||||||
| 10am-1pm | Rumble Coffee Roasters | Allpress Espresso | The Grounds Roastery | Padre Coffee | Niccolo Coffee | Loma Coffee |
| 2pm-5pm | Merchant Coffee Roasters | Fonzie Abbott Coffee Roasters | Grinders Coffee Roasters | Toby’s Estate Coffee | Market Lane | Criteria Coffee |
| Day 2: Friday 27 March | ||||||
| 11am-2pm | Clark St Roasters | Daily Drop Coffee | Artisti Coffee Roasters | Single O | Commonfolk Coffee Co. | Coffee Supreme |
| 3pm-6pm | Kindred Coffee | Pablo & Rusty’s Coffee Roasters | Mecca Coffee Roasters | Seven Seeds Coffee | Jasper Coffee | Little Italy Coffee Roasters |
| Day 3: Saturday 28 March | ||||||
| 10am-1pm | Veneziano Coffee Roasters | Soho Coffee Roasters | ST. ALi Coffee | Fat Cat Coffee Roasters | Old Quarter Coffee | Humm Coffee Roasters |
| 2pm-5pm | Stitch Coffee | Haven Coffee | Grace and Taylor Coffee Company | Fat Cat Coffee Roasters | Old Quarter Coffee | |
*Accurate at time of writing, subject to change
This article features in the MICE 2026 Showguide: A coffee lover’s guidebook. Pick up your copy of the showguide at MICE.
