Singapore
AeroPress
Championship 2026

Your checklist

Before competition day:

• Complete your competitor information form
• Confirm that you meet the eligibility rules
• Read the competition rules
• Collect your practice coffee
• Check what equipment we provide and what you need to bring
• Check your heat allocation when the draw goes live
• If you could represent Singapore in Mexico, check your travel requirements now

Can't compete anymore?

Please don't transfer your registration to someone else. We will offer it to the next person on the official waitlist.

The dates that matter

Practice coffee

Available: 8 October 2026
Collection location: Bettr Academy, 151 Lorong Chuan, #05-06 Lift Lobby E New Tech Park, Singapore 556741
Collection hours: 10am to 6pm
Collect by: 16 October 2026

Heat draw

Drawn: 13 October 2026, 12.40pm. The full draw is published below and on Instagram.

Championship

Thursday, 22 October 2026

Competitor check-in opens: 4pm
Check-in closes: 4.15pm
Mandatory competitor briefing: 4.45pm
First heat: 5.15pm
Final: 9.30pm
Awards: 9.45pm
Competition finishes: 10pm, party carries on at Bettr Coffee @ Foundry

Heat times are estimates. The competition may run ahead of or behind schedule.

The heat draw

Drawn at random on 13 October 2026, 12.40pm. Twelve battles of four. Win your battle and you advance to the semi-finals.

Heat times are estimates and the competition may run ahead of or behind schedule, so be ready in the competitor staging area 15 to 20 minutes before your heat and watch the call board.

If your name is missing or wrong, email sac@bettr.group straight away.

Your competition day

1. Check in

Go to the competitor desk when you arrive. We will confirm your registration and heat number. Please be fully checked in by 4.15pm.

If you are going to be unexpectedly late, contact Oscar at 9018 4141. Please don't message individual Bettr staff members.

2. Competitor briefing

The briefing at 4.45pm is mandatory. We will cover stage flow, competition timing, equipment, judging, heat call-up, what happens if you advance, technical issues, and any final rule clarification.

This briefing is for clarification, not the first time to read the rules.

3. Watch the call board

Your published heat time is an estimate. Be ready in the competitor staging area 15 to 20 minutes before your heat. The stage team will call competitors in sequence. If you progress, stay onsite and keep checking the bracket.

4. Prepare

Before stage time, you may sort or pick through your coffee, weigh your coffee dose, assemble your AeroPress, and place your filter into the filter cap.

You cannot grind your competition coffee before the five-minute competition clock begins.

5. Set up on stage

You will get a short set-up period before the competition clock starts. During set-up you may place and assemble your equipment.

You may not rinse your filter, preheat or pre-chill your brewer or serving vessel, put coffee into your grinder, or grind your coffee. Those actions happen inside competition time.

6. Brew

You have five minutes. Within those five minutes you must grind, prepare your recipe, brew and pour your final coffee into the supplied judging vessel. Coffee presented after time expires will not be judged.

7. Judging

Your coffee is taken to the judging panel anonymously. Judges taste the coffees blind. There is no formal scoresheet. Each judge independently chooses the coffee they prefer. On the count of three, they point simultaneously to their chosen cup. The winning cup is revealed and that competitor advances.

If the three judges do not converge on one cup, the designated Head Judge tastes the coffees and decides the winner. Taste decisions are final.

The format

48 competitors. Knockout from the first round.

Sixteen battles in total. One winner per battle, chosen blind. Every round starts again from zero.

Every round starts again from zero. There are no cumulative points.

The six rules you must know

This is the short version. The official 2026 WAC rules remain authoritative.

If anything on this page conflicts with the official WAC rules, the WAC rules take precedence.

Filters and accessories

You may use paper, metal, cloth or another neutral-tasting filter that complies with the rules. The filter must sit within the AeroPress filter cap or genuine Flow Control Filter Cap and remain the main filtration mechanism.

Brewing accessories permitted under the rules include items such as grinders, kettles, scales, spoons, stirrers, timers, thermometers, stands, sifters, decanters, RDT and WDT tools, chilling devices and water-dispersion aids.

If you plan to use something unusual and are unsure whether it complies, ask us before competition day.

What we provide

Your station will have:

• KettleHario
• ScaleBackup only, 0.1g with timer. Bring your own
• GrinderComandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade
• WaterCoffee 250 C Series Water by Anzzio
• Competition coffeeProvided for every round you reach
• Judging vesselSTTOKE Swirl
• PowerProvided

What you need to bring

Bring:

• An eligible AeroPress Original or Clear
• Your filters
• Any permitted equipment you want to use that we have not designated as compulsory

You are responsible for your personal equipment and for setting it up and removing it promptly. Please label anything valuable.

Compulsory equipment for Singapore 2026

Grinder: Comandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade
Kettle: Hario

If we require a specific grinder, kettle or scale, competitors will receive practice and familiarisation access before competition day in accordance with the WAC rules. Practice access: two sessions, 8 October 2026 and 16 October 2026, at Bettr Academy, 151 Lorong Chuan, #05-06 Lift Lobby E New Tech Park, Singapore 556741, 10am to 6pm.

Each competitor gets a three hour practice session. If you cannot make either date, you will not have another chance to practise and will use the compulsory equipment for the first time on competition day.

Competition water

All competitors must use the competition water supplied by us: Coffee 250 C Series Water by Anzzio. Own brewing water may not be used, and the same rule applies to ice and bypass water.

Bypass water and ice are permitted under the rules, but they must be made from the supplied competition water. The Head Judge may disallow any water that does not comply.

Practice coffee

Every competitor receives 200g of practice coffee.

Available from: 8 October 2026
Collect from: Bettr Academy, 151 Lorong Chuan, #05-06 Lift Lobby E New Tech Park, Singapore 556741
Collection hours: 10am to 6pm
Last collection: 16 October 2026

Roast date: 6 October 2026
Coffee identity: kept blind until after the competition

Please use your allocation carefully. Practice coffee will not normally be replaced once collected.

Eligibility

• You may compete at any age.
• You do not need to be a Singapore citizen, Permanent Resident or passport holder.
• You must have lived in Singapore for the three months immediately before 22 October 2026 and be able to demonstrate this reasonably if requested.
• If you have already won a National AeroPress Championship during the 2026 season, you may not compete in another Regional or National Championship this season.
• Certain people connected with Bettr, the organisation of this event or the handling of the competition coffee are not eligible because of conflict-of-interest rules.

If you work for Bettr or one of the competition coffee partners and are unsure whether you are eligible:

If you are late

Check-in closes at 4.15pm. If you are not checked in by then and we cannot reach you, your slot will be forfeited.

Once the competition is running, heats will not normally be delayed for an absent competitor. If something unavoidable happens on your way to the venue, contact only Oscar at 9018 4141.

If something breaks

If host-provided equipment fails or you believe there is another significant technical problem: stop and raise your hand immediately.

The Competition Director or Head Judge will assess the issue and determine the appropriate action. Do not continue brewing and raise the issue afterwards if you believe the fault prevented you from competing fairly.

Competitor-owned equipment remains the competitor's responsibility except where otherwise determined by the Competition Director.

If you advance

Stay onsite. Check the bracket. Listen for competitor calls. You will receive competition coffee for your next round. Do not leave the venue between rounds without telling Competitor Ops.

If you are eliminated

That's your official work done. Pack your equipment, grab a drink and enjoy the rest of the Championship. We hope you stay for the final and awards.

The venue

Refinery @ The Foundry
11 Prinsep Link, Singapore 187949

Nearest MRT stations: Bencoolen, Rochor, Bras Basah

Parking: street side parking, or the nearest covered carpark is Sunshine Plaza
Accessibility: The Foundry has accessibility ramps at the front and rear entrances

If you need an adjustment or accommodation to compete comfortably, tell us by 1 October 2026.

Food and drink

Competitor water: Anzzio filtered water stations in The Refinery
Food available: at Bettr Coffee
Outside food and drink: not allowed at Bettr Coffee

Bring your people

Spectator entry is free. Please ask friends and supporters to register so we can manage venue numbers.

Spectators may not enter competitor staging or judging areas.

Photos and video

The Championship will be photographed and filmed. Event photography, competition footage and interviews may be used for Championship, Bettr and WAC-related communications subject to the event terms. If you have a specific concern, contact us before the Championship.

Can't compete?

Release your place as early as possible. Registrations are non-transferable. Do not find your own replacement. We will contact the next person on the official waitlist.

If you finish top three

Please stay after the awards. Because eligibility for the World Final can pass from first to second and then third place if someone cannot travel, we need to confirm travel readiness with all three podium finishers.

We will confirm contact information, legal name for travel, passport and travel readiness, Mexico entry status, travel availability, and next steps.

If you win

You become: Singapore AeroPress Champion 2026

The Singapore Champion earns the right to represent Singapore at the 2026 World AeroPress Championship in Mexico City.

World Final weekend

4–6 December 2026
World Championship: Sunday, 6 December 2026
Frontón Bucareli, Mexico City

World Final travel

Bettr will reimburse the Champion for eligible World Final travel expenses of up to S$3,000, covering:

• return economy airfare from Singapore to Mexico City; and
• three nights' accommodation for 4, 5 and 6 December 2026.

Where a Mexican visa is required, Bettr will also reimburse the required visa application fee separately.

The Champion will book their own flights and accommodation. Reimbursement is based on actual eligible expenses incurred and supported by receipts, up to the S$3,000 limit. Additional nights, flight upgrades, meals, local transport, travel insurance and personal expenses are not covered.

Travel must be booked promptly after the Singapore Championship so the Champion can meet World AeroPress Championship registration and travel requirements.

If the Singapore Champion cannot attend the World Final or obtain permission to travel, eligibility passes to second place, and then to third place if necessary.

World Final registration

Winning Singapore is not the final administrative step. The champion must separately register with WAC.

Current deadline: 1 November 2026
Current World Final competitor registration: US$99, covered by Bettr

Before WAC registration is valid, the competitor must have permission to enter Mexico, and confirmed travel and accommodation.

Check Mexico travel requirements now

Do not wait until 22 October to think about this. The Singapore Championship takes place shortly before WAC's registration deadline.

If you could finish on the podium, please check now:

• whether your passport will meet Mexico's entry requirements;
• whether you require a Mexican visa;
• whether an existing visa or permanent residence status gives you an exemption;
• whether you are available to travel around 4–7 December.

This does not determine whether you are allowed to compete in Singapore. It helps us avoid discovering a travel problem after the final.

Use official Mexican government and Embassy information rather than social media or travel forums.

If the champion cannot travel

If the Singapore Champion cannot attend the World Final or obtain the required permission to travel, eligibility passes to second place. If second place cannot attend, it passes to third place. It does not pass beyond third place.

After the Championship

This page will become the home for final results, the winning recipe, event photos, video and recap, competitor feedback, lost property, and Singapore Champion to Mexico updates.

Competitor questions

Questions competitors have asked us, with the answers. If yours is not here, email sac@bettr.group and we will add it.

Water

Can we measure the TDS of the competition water?
Yes. Bring your own TDS meter and test the competition water during your three hour practice session.

Can we take some water home for personal practice?
Yes. Bring your own container and take some when you collect your practice coffee. This is for off site personal practice only. On competition day you must use the water provided on site.

Can we enhance the competition water with minerals or water dispersion aids?
No. Competition water is mandated as is. No minerals, concentrates or other additives, whether in your main brew, your bypass water or your ice.

Equipment

What scale is provided?
We will have a small number of backup scales on standby at your station, 0.1g precision with a timer function, purely as a fallback if you forget yours or yours is faulty on the day. We still encourage you to bring and use your own scale so you are brewing with the setup you have practised on.

What model is the Comandante hand grinder?
The Comandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade.

How many kettles will be provided? Can I use two?
There is definitely an option to use two kettles for your brew.

Are thermometers allowed?
Yes. Thermometers are listed in the permitted brewing accessories.

Are Paragon balls or chilling rocks allowed?
Yes. Chilling rocks, also known as frosty balls, are listed in the permitted brewing accessories.

What about mechanical stirring, sifters, lids and air blowers?
All allowed. Accessories that aid in coffee brewing are permitted, including grinders, kettles, decanters, scales, stirrers, spoons, timers, thermometers, brewer stands, sifters, air blowers, RDT tools, WDT tools, chilling rocks and water dispersion aids. That covers a magnetic stirrer with a food safe pellet, a Nanofoamer or similar for mechanical stirring, a Kruve or other powder sifter, a sieve with a massage gun, and a non AeroPress lid to cover your chamber while stirring.

Can I use a Fellow Prismo, another third party flow cap, or a 3D printed attachment?
No. You may use the Flow Control Filter Cap instead of the original filter cap, but it must be a genuine AeroPress product and not an aftermarket or off brand version.

Can I use my own filter paper, for example Sibarist?
Yes. Any type or brand of filter is permissible as long as it does not replace the AeroPress filter cap. Filters may be paper, metal, cloth or any other material, provided it is neutral in taste and does not impart flavour to the brewed coffee. The filter must fit inside the filter cap or Flow Control Filter Cap when affixed to the chamber, and be the primary mechanism by which the coffee is filtered.

Can I use my own electric grinder, for example a Fellow Ode?
No. We have mandated the Comandante manual grinder, which is provided during the competition and at the practice sessions. Hosts may require competitors to use specified equipment on stage where it relates to sponsorship, venue requirements or operational consistency, limited to kettle, scale and grinder, and must provide a reasonable opportunity to familiarise yourself with it beforehand.

How many AeroPress brewers can I use?
One. Competitors may only use one AeroPress brewer in competition.

What cupping bowl or vessel is used for evaluation?
Judges evaluate from the STTOKE Swirl Cup.

Collection and practice

Can another competitor collect my beans and water for me?
Yes. Send us a message with their name authorising them to collect on your behalf. Once we have verified that on collection day we will release your items to them. Please note that once collected we are not responsible for the loss or damage of those items.

Is there a practice session other than 8 October?
Yes. A second practice session is available on 16 October. If you cannot make either session, you will not have another chance to practise and will use the compulsory equipment for the first time on competition day.

Questions?

Check this page first. For competition matters:

Please use the official contact rather than Instagram DMs, personal WhatsApps or individual Bettr staff members. When we receive a question that affects other competitors, we will update the answer here.

Official links

2026 WAC rules Update my details Release my place

Change log

13 October 2026
Heat draw drawn at 12.40pm and published. Twelve heats of four.

12 October 2026
Heat draw publishes 13 October 2026 at 12.30pm on Instagram. Check-in deadline confirmed as 4.15pm.

7 October 2026
Practice coffee collection extended to 16 October 2026.

6 October 2026
Venue parking and accessibility, competitor water and food policy, and the Mexican Embassy visa link published. Grinder confirmed as the Comandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade. Coffee identity will be kept blind until after the competition. Event day contact and late arrival policy published.

5 October 2026
Competitor questions and answers published. Second practice session added on 16 October. Scale clarified as backup only.

29 September 2026
Practice coffee allocation confirmed at 200g per competitor. Practice and competition coffee are one roast batch, roasted 6 October 2026. Competition water is compulsory for all competitors: Coffee 250 C Series Water by Anzzio. Competition equipment confirmed: Hario kettles, Comandante grinders, Coffee 250 C Series Water by Anzzio, and STTOKE Swirl judging vessels. Grinder and kettle are compulsory, with familiarisation access on 8 October at Bettr Academy.

22 September 2026
Field expanded to 48 competitors and all places taken. Round structure confirmed: 12 heats of four, then three semi-final heats of four, then a three brewer final.

15 September 2026
Competition day schedule confirmed: check-in, briefing, first heat, final and awards times. Practice coffee collection dates, location and hours confirmed.

7 September 2026
Competitor HQ published.