Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Key takeaways
- World of Coffee Brussels will take place from 25 to 27 June 2026 in Belgium.
- Europe accounted for over 30% of global coffee consumption in 2023/24, making it a key market.
- WoC Brussels will host the 2026 World Brewers Cup, Coffee in Good Spirits, and Coffee Roasting Championships.
- Attendees can also participate in a wide range of afterparties and events, and visit some of Brussels’ specialty coffee shops.
This year’s European World of Coffee event will take place in Brussels, Belgium, from 25 to 27 June.
The trade show will host the 2026 World Brewers Cup, Coffee in Good Spirits, and Coffee Roasting Championships, Roasters Village, Producer Village, Best New Product Competition, Coffee Design Awards, lectures, workshops, cuppings, and more.
Brands such as Ecotact, Pinecone Swiss, LIGRE, MILBOK, and more will exhibit and organise their own events and afterparties.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit some of Brussels’ best specialty coffee shops and roasters.
Check out the PDG Events Calendar here. We will continue to update the article as more side events and afterparties are announced.
Competitions and awards at WoC Brussels
WoC Brussels will be held at Brussels Expo, Pl. de Belgique 1, 1020 Bruxelles, Belgium. The expo centre is close to Ossegempark and the Atomium, and the nearest metro station is Heysel.
The event will host three 2026 World Coffee Championships: Brewers Cup, Coffee in Good Spirits, and Coffee Roasting Championships.
As with previous WoC events, the Brussels edition will also include the Coffee Design Awards and the Best New Product competition.
Why Europe continues to be an essential coffee market
Europe accounts for roughly one-third of global coffee consumption every year. According to data from the International Coffee Organisation, Europeans drank some 3.26 million tonnes of coffee in 2023/24, making it the world’s largest coffee-consuming market.
“Europe sets the global agenda for coffee, in terms of quality, sustainability, and compliance,” says Hanuman Jain, Founder & CEO of Ecotact, exhibiting at booth 11112. “It’s one of the world’s most mature green coffee import markets and home to some of the world’s most informed consumers. What they expect today becomes the industry standard tomorrow.”
The continent is also one of the most diverse regions for coffee. Encompassing more mature markets like Scandinavia and Germany, as well as fast-growing ones like Romania and Spain, Europe combines a wide variety of coffee traditions, heritage, preferences, and habits.
“It’s a very influential market,” says Ilan Maimon, Founder of Pinecone Swiss, exhibiting at booth 7368. “Trends, standards, and buying decisions made here often affect other regions around the world. This makes it an important place for us to build relationships, receive feedback, and continue developing machines that meet the needs of professional coffee businesses globally.”
Key coffee events in Europe
World of Coffee Europe is one of the largest B2B specialty coffee trade shows on the continent. The event attracts thousands of visitors annually, bringing together roasters, baristas, producers, exporters, importers, equipment manufacturers, and more.
“People travel from all over the world to attend World of Coffee because they refuse to settle for average coffee. We share that mindset,” says Lina Gronbach, Founder and CEO of LIGRE. “For us, it’s an opportunity to connect with the community, exchange ideas, gather feedback, and share what we’re building.”
More than 430 exhibitors will be present, making WoC Brussels one of the year’s most important coffee events.
“Europe is a key market for us, with its strong café culture, mature specialty coffee scene, and demand for consistent, high-quality beverages,” says Alex Shilov, Marketing Manager at MILBOK. “Today, cafés are looking for milk-based drinks that are distinctive, memorable, and easy to repeat in daily service.”
Afterparties & activities
Numerous companies and organisations will host their own activities and events during WoC Brussels:
Tuesday 23 June
Wednesday 24 June
“We will host The Ecotact Table, a close-knit gathering held a day before the expo, designed to reconnect and ease into the rhythm of the days ahead,” says Hanuman. “This time, we’re coming together over a Belgian-style lunch with our Ecotact Freshness Champions, along with close friends from our circle.”
Thursday 25 June
- Huracán Coffee WoC Brussels Party at Brasserie de l’Ermitage from 6:30-11:30 pm, celebrating Huracán Coffee’s 2025 Global Coffee Awards World Championship win
- Simonelli Group Up on Eight Party from 7-10 pm at Rooftop 58 (RSVP only)
Friday 26 June
Saturday 27 June
Sunday 28 June
This list will be updated as more parties are announced. Please note that some events are invite-only or RSVP only.
Brussels coffee shop tour
Home to the EU and NATO headquarters, Brussels is known as the capital of Europe. Alongside its stunning medieval architecture and comic strip street art, the city has some of Europe’s best specialty coffee shops and roasters.
Tibor Hámori, the 2025 Belgian Cup Tasters Champion and barista at Caffenation in Antwerp, recommends:
Jens Crabbe, founder of MOK Coffee, recommends:
European Coffee Trip also recommends:
The Mazzer Coffee Tour also includes a curated selection of coffee shops, with the chance to vote for your favourite café and win a free coffee.
Where to eat & drink in Brussels
Brussels’ food scene is world-renowned, known for its artisanal chocolate, waffles, frites, and moules frites. Its exceptional beer scene earned it UNESCO status in 2016.
Jens recommends:
Restaurants & quick bites
- Nightshop for small plates and natural wines
- Michelin-starred Maru for Korean food
- Môme for seasonal dishes
- Sichuan restaurant Carbon
- Gourmets Everyday, Da Long Yi Hotpot, and Taverne de Zhao for Chinese food
- Badi, serving cider and natural wines
- Belgian restaurant Petit Bouchon
- Michelin-starred Au Repos de la Montagne
- Michelin-starred Henri
- Italian restaurant Certo
- Michelin-starred Kline, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients
- Mangiavino, specialising in pasta and natural wines
- Michelin-starred Au Vieux Saint Martin, with excellent views of the Church of Our Lady of the Sablon
- Contemporary Belgian bistro Kartouche
- Statione Alimentaire, serving Italian food
- Seven, which also serves coffee
- Asian fusion restaurant Old Boy
- Rambo for smash burgers and hot dogs
- Fight Club for pizza
- Bintje for burgers and frites
- Elbow Lunch Counter sandwich shop
- Holy Smoke for Texas-style BBQ
Wine, beer & cocktails
Chocolaiers, ice cream & bakeries
What can we expect at WoC Brussels?
World of Coffee events are some of the most influential and impactful B2B trade shows in the global coffee sector. The last European edition, held in Geneva, Switzerland, brought together thousands of coffee professionals.
“The buyers, roasters, traders, and thought leaders who attend represent the pulse of a market that the entire industry is watching,” Hanuman says. “For Ecotact, it’s exactly the kind of conversation we need to be part of, as we align ourselves with being future-ready.
“Currently, Ecotact’s packaging products are compliant with Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR), including Article 5,” he adds. “Our latest launches, Ecotact Ship Shield Hermetic Bulk Container Liner, Trace IQ, and the Fermentation Kit, will be showcased in Brussels for attendees to experience firsthand. Trace IQ and the Fermentation Kit have also been nominated for the 2026 Best New Product Awards.”
The event offers insight into key trends shaping international coffee markets.
“We expect to see a strong focus on efficiency, automation, sustainability, and equipment that helps coffee businesses operate more consistently,” says Ilan. “We will present our full range of professional coffee grinders, from compact specialty solutions to industrial bulk grinding systems.
“A key focus will be our 120mm grinder platform, including the Foxtail, Siberian, and Redwood models. The Siberian and Redwood also feature BLDC motor technology and intelligent software,” he adds. “We will also highlight our modular service concept. Instead of treating service as a slow and complicated process, our grinders are designed so that key modules can be replaced quickly and efficiently.”
Keeping up with Europe’s changing coffee market
As European coffee habits continue to evolve, events like WoC Brussels reflect where the market is heading.
“We expect to see continued growth in premium home coffee, increasing demand for intuitive products, and a stronger focus on longevity, sustainability, and design,” says Lina. “More than ever, people want exceptional coffee without unnecessary complexity.
“Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the complete LIGRE ecosystem: the LIGRE youn espresso machine and the LIGRE siji grinder,” she adds. “The youn combines advanced brewing technology, precise temperature, pressure and flow control, and a fast heat-up system. The siji’s patented grind-by-weight technology is accurate to less than 0.1 grams, helping deliver barista-level consistency from shot to shot.”
The event will also showcase how coffee beverage trends are changing.
“MILBOK’s booth theme, ‘Enjoy Espresso at the Next Level,’ shows how Double Milk is made to reveal the character of espresso,” Alex says. “Visitors will be able to taste the difference in Dirty Coffee and Flat Double White, two unique milk beverages designed to demonstrate how espresso blends with milk.
“This trend is also shaping the work of coffee roasters, who are increasingly developing roast profiles specifically for milk-based beverages,” he adds. “At the event, MILBOK will be joined by Manhattan Coffee Roasters, Five Ways Coffee Roasters, and Tanat.”
WoC Brussels is one of the most important events in the coffee industry. Alongside the trade show, competitions, and afterparties, attendees will be able to experience the city’s vibrant specialty coffee scene.
If you are participating in any capacity, make sure to register and book any activities in advance of your attendance.
To learn more about WoC Brussels, visit the website.
Photo credits: Specialty Coffee Association
Perfect Daily Grind
Please note: Ecotact, Pinecone Swiss, LIGRE, and MILBOK are sponsors of Perfect Daily Grind.
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