The world’s premier competitive coffee event — the World Barista Championship — is coming to Milan, Italy, taking place at HostMilano, October 17-21, 2025. HostMilano, held at Fiera Milano (Rho), is the global epicenter for the Horeca and Food Service industry, offering an unparalleled platform for innovation, networking, and showcasing the latest trends in hospitality.

The World Barista Championship (WBC) returns to Milan after last being hosted at HostMilano in 2021. The WBC focuses on promoting excellence in coffee and advancing the barista profession, with baristas demonstrating their expertise in crafting innovative espresso-based drinks across the espresso, milk, and signature beverage courses. Each 15 minute performance is evaluated by Certified Judges on a range of technical and sensory attributes, and the cutting-edge approaches and tools used on the WBC stage have extensive and enduring impacts on the industry. This highly competitive championship attracts the finest baristas from more than 50 Competition Bodies who will present their skills, creativity, and coffee mastery in a bid to claim the coveted title of World Barista Champion. The WBC is one of seven World Coffee Championships — annual skills-based competitions produced by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), and hosted at some of the most important global coffee trade shows.

“We are proud and delighted to welcome the SCA to Host 2025,” said Simona Greco, Fiera Milano SpA Owned Exhibitions Director. “This important partnership consolidates HostMilano as a global reference for the entire coffee world and testifies to Milan’s role as one of the great coffee capitals of the world. The World Barista Championship, the most prestigious among the World Coffee Championships, will bring many of the world’s top baristas to the exhibition, attracting new target audiences of coffee lovers among hospitality professionals, and providing an opportunity to preview the most exciting new trends. We look forward to working with the SCA to outline a calendar of events that is sure to be unparalleled.”

“Given its scale and importance, HostMilano is the perfect location to hold the World Barista Championship,” said Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the SCA. “The Fiera Milano team’s commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate the barista profession and showcase the finest talents on a global stage. As we gather in this iconic city, we not only celebrate the art of coffee-making but also pay homage to the timeless tradition that continues to inspire coffee lovers worldwide.”

Since the groundbreaking introduction of caffè espresso at the 1906 Milan International World’s Fair, the city has remained a beacon of coffee craftsmanship and innovation, earning its status as the Espresso Capital of the world. Embracing Milan’s storied coffee culture, the 2025 World Barista Championship will serve as a grand celebration of the beverage that unites coffee enthusiasts worldwide. The WBC is supported by 2022-2025 Qualified Sponsors; Espresso Machine Sponsor, Barista Attitude; Grinder Sponsor, Victoria Arduino; and Water FiltrationSponsor, BWT water+more.

Source: World Coffee Events