That’s a Wrap: The 8th Swiss Coffee Festival

About 5,500 people, 78 booths, and two days packed with specialty coffee: The 8th Swiss Coffee Festival, held on October 31 and November 1, 2026, was a resounding success. At StageOne in Zurich Oerlikon, coffee enthusiasts, exhibitors, and coffee professionals gathered to discover the diversity of specialty coffee, exchange ideas, and celebrate the new Swiss Coffee Champions 2027.

Video: SCA Switzerland/Tan Kurtcebe, Photos: SCA Switzerland/Alina Birjuk and Richard Blasko

It was a weekend that once again showcased what defines the Swiss coffee community: a passion for great coffee, openness, and the joy of sharing experiences together. Whether tasting exceptional coffees, talking shop at the booths, or cheering on the competitors at the championships—the special atmosphere was palpable throughout the festival.

Never before have so many people attended the Swiss Coffee Festival: Around 5,500 people gathered at StageOne—united by their passion for coffee. Visitors, exhibitors, championship participants, judges, and volunteers all contributed to the peaceful and friendly atmosphere. The abundance of positive feedback from guests and exhibitors made this eighth edition a thoroughly successful weekend for the organizing team as well.

78 booths and coffee from around the world

The festival’s offerings were as diverse as the coffee scene itself. With a total of 78 booths, there was plenty for visitors to discover: from small and large coffee roasteries to innovative coffee machines and accessories, all the way to new trends and products in the world of specialty coffee.

Things were especially bustling at the La Marzocco Roaster Village powered by Kialoa. The Village was very well attended and offered roasteries a platform to present their coffees to a wide audience. Here, visitors tasted, discussed, and experienced the diversity of the Swiss roasting scene firsthand.

Another highlight was the presence of three coffee-producing countries: Uganda, Indonesia, and Panama. They brought additional international perspectives to the festival and offered fascinating insights into the origins and diversity of coffee.

There was plenty to experience away from the booths as well. Public cuppings, short workshops, talks, and the Swiss Coffee Championships invited attendees to learn something new, sharpen their sense of taste, and dive deeper into the world of specialty coffee.

Six New Swiss Coffee Champions Crowned

Among the highlights of the weekend were the 2027 Swiss Coffee Championships. A total of 56 participants demonstrated their skills in six disciplines and competed for the Swiss championship titles.

While the Swiss Roasting Championship had already been held in advance at ROSE Coffee Roasters in Zurich, the finals in the five other disciplines took place right at the Swiss Coffee Festival.

Visitors enjoyed high-caliber competitions, creative presentations, and nail-biting finishes. Particularly impressive was the performance of Natalia Suska, who secured the title in Cup Tasting by correctly identifying seven out of eight coffees in a record time of just 1 minute and 40 seconds. Suki Ma also achieved a notable success: she defended her title in the Coffee in Good Spirits category.

Here are the 2027 Swiss Coffee Champions:

• Barista: Matt Winton
• Brewers Cup: Kostas Kontodimas
• Cup Tasters: Natalia Suska
• Coffee in Good Spirits: Suki Ma
• Latte Art: Maurizio Boi
• Roasting: Alfonso Pepe

The six newly crowned champions will represent Switzerland in 2027 at the World Coffee Championships in Japan, Portugal, Colombia, and the U.S. The SCA warmly congratulates the new national champions on their success and extends its sincere thanks to all participants who have dedicated their time and passion to specialty coffee.

The national champions will represent Switzerland in 2027 at the respective SCA World Coffee Championships in Japan, Portugal, Colombia, and the U.S.

A festival that thrives on its community

The Swiss Coffee Festival is much more than just a two-day event. It is organized and run by a team of dedicated volunteers, supported by numerous people from the Swiss coffee scene. Motivated lead volunteers and about 60 volunteers helped make the festival possible. They were joined by judges, championship participants, exhibitors, and many other dedicated individuals who contributed their time and effort to ensure the event’s success.

Particularly gratifying: The event ran smoothly and without any major incidents. The abundance of positive feedback and the great atmosphere on both days are a wonderful affirmation for the organizing team.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the volunteers, judges, participants, exhibitors, and partners who helped shape the Swiss Coffee Festival 2026.

Special thanks go to our platinum sponsors BRITA, Oatly, and Kialoa, as well as all other sponsors whose support makes it possible to host the festival and the Swiss Coffee Championships.

Save the Date: Swiss Coffee Festival 2027

After two successful days of the festival, we’re already looking forward to the next edition with great anticipation. The many connections we made, the high level of interest, and the enthusiasm of the community motivate us to continue developing the Swiss Coffee Festival in the coming year.

The 9th Swiss Coffee Festival will take place on October 30 and 31, 2027.

We look forward to seeing you again and celebrating the diversity of specialty coffee together!

About the Swiss SCA

The Swiss Specialty Coffee Association (Swiss SCA) is dedicated to promoting specialty coffee in Switzerland. This volunteer-run organization hosts the Swiss Coffee Festival as well as the national Swiss Coffee Championships. Other key focuses include promoting coffee education, knowledge sharing, and quality standards within the industry.

Text: Michael Eugster/Swiss SCA
Photos: Swiss SCA/Alina Birjuk & Richard Blasko

Pictures 2026

SCA Switzerland is making all photos from the 2027 Swiss Coffee Championships and the 2026 Swiss Coffee Festival available free of charge for editorial use. When using these photos, SCA Switzerland and the photographer must be credited or tagged. We look forward to your posts and contributions.

• Print/Blog/Website:
  Photo: Alina Birjuk/SCA Switzerland
  Photo: Richard Blasko/SCA Switzerland
• Instagram: Include in the caption & tag:
  Photo: Swiss SCA @sca_switzerland / Alina Birjuk @alinabirjuk Richard Blasko @blasko.image
• Download 2026 photos via Google Drive

More photos from the 2027 Swiss Coffee Championships will follow soon.