Rules & Regulations Released for the 2025 World Coffee Roasting Championship

The Specialty Coffee Association is delighted to release updated Rules & 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 Houston, TX, USA, from April 25-27.

This round of updates primarily clarifies and formalizes existing practices. Key changes include revised competitor registration procedures and updates to the selection of green coffee provided. Formalized processes have been introduced for measuring coffee color, 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 emphasize 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 categorized. 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 & regulations are overseen by the WCC Competitions Strategic Committee. The rules documents, summaries of changes, scoresheets, and new appeals form are now available at the new website for the World Coffee Championships: wcc.coffee/rules-regulations

Make sure to join us — either in-person or online — at the 2025 World Coffee Championships this season:

  • Houston World Coffee Championships

    • April 25-27 at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston, TX, USA

    • Featuring the World Coffee Roasting Championship

  • Jakarta World Coffee Championships

    • May 15-17 at World of Coffee in Jakarta, Indonesia

    • Featuring the World Brewers Cup

  • Geneva World Coffee Championships

    • June 26-28 at World of Coffee in Geneva, Switzerland

    • Featuring the World Latte Art, World Coffee in Good Spirits, World Cup Tasters, and Cezve/Ibrik Championships

  • Milan World Coffee Championships

    • October 17-21 at HostMilano in Milan, Italy

    • Featuring the 25th World Barista Championship