The world’s leading sommeliers will gather in Lisbon from 11 to 17 October 2026 for the 18th edition of the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World 2026, nearly half a century after Portugal last hosted the profession’s most prestigious international competition. The contest is organised by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) and hosted by the Associação dos Escanções de Portugal (AEP), the Portuguese Sommelier Association. India, Kenya, Lebanon and Moldova will be represented for the first time.
“Sommellerie is growing in countries where formal sommelier education, national associations and international participation are still relatively new,” says ASI president William Wouters. “When candidates from India, Kenya, Lebanon and Moldova stand alongside competitors from nations with long-established sommelier traditions, they demonstrate that excellence is not limited by geography. This contest should reflect the world we serve.”
Portugal first hosted the contest in Lisbon in 1978, when Giuseppe Vaccarini of Italy was crowned ASI Best Sommelier of the World. “Hosting this contest in Lisbon is a major source of pride for Portuguese sommeliers,” says AEP President Tiago Paula. “Our country has long been known for its wine production. This contest gives us a significant platform to present the diversity of our wines, but it also allows us to showcase our equally rich gastronomic traditions and exemplary hospitality.”
Throughout the week, competitors will be challenged in theoretical knowledge, blind tasting, food-and-beverage pairing and practical service. Quarter-final rounds on 12 and 13 October and the semi-finals on 15 October will lead to the public Grand Final on 16 October 2026, from 14h30 to 17h30 local Lisbon time, at the historic Coliseu dos Recreios. Results will be announced immediately afterwards, followed by a press conference with the winner, finalists and jury.
Raimonds Tomsons of Latvia, who earned the title in Paris in 2023, will welcome his successor in Lisbon. The new champion will join a distinguished legacy extending back to ASI’s first world champion, Armand Melkonian of France, who won the inaugural contest in Brussels in 1969. Melkonian sadly passed away earlier this year.
“From Armand to Raimonds, our champions have represented the title with great honour,” says Piotr Kamecki, ASI vice president for Europe. “With that distinction comes great responsibility. I have no doubt that this year’s champion will continue the legacy of giving back to the world of sommellerie throughout their reign.”
Delegates, national association presidents, partners and guests from across the ASI community will join the candidates for a week of competition, education and cultural exchange. The Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa will serve as the main event base.
Final tickets cost €35 per person, including VAT.
The final will also be streamed live on ASI YouTube Channel.
For schedules and further information, visit www.asi.info.
About Association de la Sommellerie Internationale
Founded in Reims, France, on 3-4 June 1969, the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) is a non-profit international umbrella organisation for national sommelier associations. ASI has 70 full member associations and two applicant countries and is represented on six continents. Its legal headquarters are in Paris. Through education, professional standards and international competitions, ASI advances the sommelier profession worldwide. Its motto is: Learn. Challenge. Compete.
About Associação dos Escanções de Portugal
The Associação dos Escanções de Portugal (AEP), the Portuguese Sommelier Association, is the official host association for Lisbon 2026. AEP was one of the founding members of ASI in 1969 and was formally recognised as an association in Portugal on 24 March 1972.