31st March – 1st April | London

  • HRC, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL

DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THE WAITING LIST?

**Read our competitor & judge data handling policy
SCA-Cup-Tasters-1
Cup Tasters Championship
The Cup Tasters Championship is a fast-paced competition where coffee professionals race to identify the odd cup out in sets of specialty coffees using their sensory skills and speed.
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OUR SPONSORS

Competition Format

The 2026 UK Cup Tasters Championship follows the 2025 World Cup Tasters Championship (WCTC) rules.

On Day 1 | 31st Mar (Heat 1), each of the 36 competitor will have 8 minutes to choose the odd one out in 8 triangulations. The 21 competitors with the highest correct selections, in the quickest time will go through to Day 2, Round 1.

On Day 2 | 1st Apr (Round 1, Semi-Finals & Finals), following the same format as Heat 1; Round 1 comprises of 21 competitors, Semi-Finals of 9 competitors and Finals of 3 competitors - leading to the selection of the UK Cup Tasters Champion 2026.

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First-Come-First-Served Entry

There are a total of 36 competitor spaces for the 2026 UK Cup Tasters Championship. One space is automatically reserved for the reigning UK Cup Tasters Champion, leaving 35 spaces available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

Entry:

  • Opens: Monday 23rd Feb 2026 at 7 pm

 

Waiting List: Once all spaces have been filled, you will be able to register for the waiting list through the link on the website. This is the only way to register for the waiting list, and no other method will be recognised.

*Limit of one ticket per competitor.

*Multiple people attempting to buy a ticket for one competitor is not allowed and may result in entry being refused.

Sponsor Equipment

N/A

SCA Membership

SCA Membership is not mandatory for competitors or judges. But if you want, you can check your membership status by heading over to the SCA Global portal.

Competitor Data Handling

By ticking the box and purchasing a ticket you agree to our Competitor Information Handling Policy, which includes the following:

  • Contact and Responsiveness: You authorise us to use the contact information provided to communicate with you regarding all aspects of the competition, including but not limited to, scheduling, rules, and updates. Failure to respond to communications within a reasonable timeframe, as determined by the competition organisers, may result in adjustments to your participation, including, but not limited to, cancellation or transfer of your place to a waiting list participant.
  • Sponsor Communication: You understand that our sponsors may require specific information to provide support, logistics, and promotional materials related to the competition. Whilst we do not routinely share all competitor details, we may share relevant information, such as contact details for product-related communications, addresses for material delivery, or information necessary for logistical coordination.
  • Public Display of Information: You consent to the use of your name, company information, and competition results in marketing and communications related to the event, including potential display on live streams, event screens, and post-event publications.
  • Photography and Videography: You grant us and our sponsors the right to capture and utilise photographs and video footage of you during the competition, including during performances and judging. This material may be used for marketing, promotional, and educational purposes by SCA UK and our sponsors, both during and after the competition.
  • Data Retention and Rights: Your data will be stored securely and retained for a period necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy and to comply with legal obligations. You have the right to request access to, rectification, or erasure of your personal data, subject to applicable data protection laws.
  • Rule Adherence: Participation in the competition implies acceptance of and adherence to the official competition rules, as published on the SCA UK website.
  • Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, SCA UK and its sponsors shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury arising from participation in the competition, except in cases of negligence or wilful misconduct.”