The New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association (NZSCA) is calling on sponsors and participants to reignite the Brewers Cup, which hasn’t taken place in the country since 2017.
In New Zealand, the Brewers Cup Championship began in 2013 in Auckland at Atomic Coffee Roasters, with seven competitors. Over the next four years, the competition grew from four competitors in its second year to a high of nine in the penultimate year in 2017. The last Brewers Cup champion was Nara Lee who represented Aotearoa in Budapest in 2017.
NZSCA said the event stopped due to lack of funds and sponsorship. For a World Coffee Championships (WCC)-endorsed event, a minimum of six competitors are required along with robust community engagement.
On the world stage, the capacity for national bodies to compete is limited, which means that even if the event is hosted, securing a spot for the champion at the international level may not be guaranteed.
According to the NZSCA, costs associated with running the Brewers Cup are high. These include covering the champion’s accommodation (eight nights), flights, and insurance, totalling approximately NZ$6000 to $8000. Additional expenses for venue logistics, training, advertising, and equipment increase by approximately $35,000.
Therefore, sponsorship is crucial for making this event happen.
“We are eager to reignite the Brewers Cup,” says NZSCA. “Our calendar is filled with regional events, and we envision a potential return in late November 2025 or February 2026.”
“To make this a reality, we are actively seeking interest in sponsorship and suitable venues.”
For more information on how to get involved, visit the website or contact emma@nzsca.org.
