DMCC to Host UAE Aeropress Championship 2025 Under ‘Qahwa Qulture’ Theme

DMCC, the leading international business district that drives the flow of global trade through Dubai, will host the 2025 edition of the UAE AeroPress Championship from 6-8 November in its flagship Almas Tower.

The theme for the ninth edition – “A Celebration of Qahwa Qulture in the Emirates” – pays tribute to the UAE’s evolving identity as both a global trading nation and a centre of cultural hospitality, where traditional Arabic Qahwa and third-wave coffee coexist in one of the most dynamic markets in the world.

The three-day championship by Mokha1450 Coffee, a Dubai-based luxury specialty coffee brand, will be held in conjunction with the World Aeropress Championships. The UAE Aeropress Championship is the largest coffee competition in the region and has become a focal point for its fast-growing specialty coffee scene.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: “The global coffee industry generates more than USD 200 billion each year, spanning production, trade, culture and consumption, and supports the livelihoods of approximately 25 million farmers. As a longstanding champion of the sector, I have witnessed firsthand the opportunities it creates for producers and consumers alike. As the industry continues to expand and transform, the UAE AeroPress Championship is not only a celebration of brewing excellence; it is a platform for cultural expression and global connection. Hosting the championship at DMCC’s Almas Tower, with support from the DMCC Coffee Centre, which processed more than 7,400 metric tonnes of coffee in 2024 and has recently expanded its capacity to provide even greater market access for our members, reflects our continued commitment to advancing the sector and strengthens Dubai’s position as a global hub for coffee heritage, trade and innovation.”

The championship provides participants with the opportunity to enhance and measure their skills against other baristas. It connects a wide range of stakeholders within the coffee community – from coffee farmers, roasters and café owners, to exporters, traders and retailers and spotlights Dubai’s position as a global gateway for the coffee trade.

Garfield Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of Mokha 1450, said: “Dubai and the UAE has become one of the leading specialty coffee markets and coffee destinations in the world, and I do not think this happened by chance. The long history of coffee in the UAE means that coffee is not just a daily dose of caffeine to get you through the day, but a cultural cornerstone that elevates and adds a sense of measure to a normal day. Furthermore, coffee is used to imbue importance and ceremony to significant events and social gatherings. Each household has a special recipe for Qahwa or coffee, that is closely guarded, passed down for generations, and is still referenced for the daily preparation of coffee. For this reason, there is always a very strong level of enthusiasm, passion, as well as innovation at the UAE AeroPress Championship. Accordingly, this year’s iteration, will place the cultural significance of Qahwa in the UAE on full display.”

The 2025 UAE AeroPress Championship will feature two Regional Championships followed by a National Final. Region One (Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain) will compete on 6 November, followed by Region Two (Dubai, Ajman and Fujairah) on 7 November. Each Emirate will field 36 competitors, reflecting the depth of brewing talent across the country. The top three from each will advance to the National Final on 8 November, where 21 finalists will compete for the title and the chance to represent the UAE at the World AeroPress Championship in Seoul, South Korea, on 5–6 December 2025.