January in Dubai comes with a clear focus this year. Coffee.
From January 18 to 20, 2026, World of Coffee Dubai returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing industry professionals, roasters, producers, and café operators together for three days of competitions, auctions, workshops, and citywide events.
This is not limited to the exhibition halls. Activity stretches into cafés, roasteries, and pop-up venues across the city, with guest cuppings, workshops, and afterparties running before, during, and after the main show.
If you work in coffee, this week is already on your radar.
What's Happening Inside World of Coffee Dubai
World of Coffee Dubai 2026 will take place inside Za'abeel Halls 1, 4, 5, and 6 at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road, next to the World Trade Centre Metro Station. Inside the venue, visitors can expect exhibitions, cuppings, workshops, and live competitions running across all three event days.
Four UAE Coffee Championships will take place on-site: the UAE Barista Championship, Latte Art Championship, Cezve/Ibrik Championship, and Coffee Roasting Championship. Competitors in the roasting category completed dedicated pre-event training sessions hosted by IRM, the championship sponsor.
The Coffee Design Awards and the Best New Product competition are also part of the official programme this year.
Auctions and Competitive Moments
The second in-person Dubai Coffee Auction will take place during World of Coffee Dubai 2026. The auction is co-hosted by M-Cultivo and includes coffees from producers such as Hacienda La Esmeralda, Janson Family Coffee, Daterra, Geisha Village, and a California-grown Geisha from Frinj.
World of Coffee Dubai will also host the Microlot Coffee Auction, where buyers can attend cupping sessions ahead of live bidding. The Exhibitors' Coffee Auction runs alongside it, allowing roasters and producers to present selected coffees directly to buyers.
Why Coffee Events Keep Choosing Dubai
Dubai continues to host major coffee gatherings thanks to its established trade infrastructure and active specialty coffee scene. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre includes a dedicated tea and coffee centre and serves as a central hub for commodities trade in the region.
Mark Zhou, founder of MTPak Coffee, says "World of Coffee Dubai remains essential for companies working with roasters in the Gulf." He points to ongoing interest in sustainability, premium packaging, and customer experience. MTPak Coffee will showcase its fully customisable packaging solutions at booth ZC4-10 during the event.
Afterparties, Guest Events, and Coffee Stops
Outside the venue, the schedule stays busy.
Confirmed events include guest services led by World Barista Champion Jack Simpson, workshops and bar takeovers hosted by Apax Labs, and events by Nucleus Coffee Tools, Café Doan, The Roasterum Global, Grandmother Coffee, Gold Mountain Coffee Growers, Anacafé, and Lohas Beans. Colombian producer and exporter Lohas Beans will also host cuppings and Q&A sessions in the lead-up to the event.
Visitors can explore Dubai's specialty coffee scene throughout the week with stops at The Espresso Lab, Raw Coffee Company, Brew Café Jumeirah, The Barn Dubai, To The Moon and Back Coffee, and Cypher Urban Roastery.
Food remains part of the wider experience. Recommended dining spots during coffee week include La Petite Maison Dubai, FZN, Fusión Ceviche, Lila Wood-Fired Taqueria, Al Safadi, and San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles.
World of Coffee Dubai 2026 brings competitions, auctions, education, and nightlife into one January schedule — from the show floor to cafés and event spaces across the city.
Registration and advance booking are recommended for workshops, auctions, and side events. Additional afterparties are expected to be announced as the week approaches.
