The International Chocolate Awards 2026
The International Chocolate Awards have once again unveiled a packed and exciting calendar for their 14th annual season in 2026, bringing together the world’s finest bean‑to‑bar and craft chocolatiers. The Awards celebrate excellence in chocolate making, honouring outstanding products from around the world, with regional competitions leading up to the highly anticipated World Final later in the year. Below is a comprehensive guide to all the important dates and events for the 2026 season.
Craft Drinking Chocolate Competition
The Awards season begins with a focus on drinking chocolate, where entries are judged for flavour, texture and innovation.
- Samples accepted until: December 19, 2025 (Bucharest, Romania)
- In‑person judging: January 10–11, 2026 (Florence, Italy)
- Drinking Chocolate Brew Competition: January 18–19, 2026 (SIGEP Rimini, Italy)
- Winners announced: January 19, 2026 (SIGEP Rimini, Italy)
DACH and Eastern European Craft Chocolatier Competitions
Celebrating excellence in the German‑speaking and Eastern European regions, this dual competition showcases a range of craft chocolate products.
- Registration opens: December 1, 2025
- Samples accepted: January 7–20, 2026 (Vienna, Austria)
- Registration closes: January 18, 2026
- In‑person judging: January 22–23, 2026 (Vienna)
- Winners announced: January 24, 2026 at Vienna Schokoladefest, 5 PM
Italy/Mediterranean Craft Chocolatier Competition
This regional event highlights innovation and craftsmanship from Italy and the Mediterranean region.
- Registration opens: February 1, 2026
- Samples accepted: February 5–25, 2026
- In‑person judging: February 28 – March 2, 2026 (Florence, Italy)
- Winners announcement: TBC (Florence)
European, Middle Eastern and African Bean‑to‑Bar Competition
One of the largest regional events, this competition evaluates bean‑to‑bar chocolates from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
- Registration opens: February 1, 2026
- Samples accepted: February 5 – March 23, 2026
- Remote judging: April 2026
- Winners announced: May 2–3, 2026 at ShowColat, Bordeaux, France
Asia‑Pacific Bean‑to‑Bar and Craft Chocolatier Competition
This regional competition brings together entries from across Asia and the Pacific.
- Registration opens: February 1, 2026
- Samples accepted: February 9 – March 3, 2026
- Remote judging: March 2026
- Winners announced: April 4–5, 2026 (Kyoto, Japan)
British Craft Chocolate Competition
A focal event for UK chocolatiers and makers.
- Registration opens: February 10, 2026
- Samples accepted: February 15 – March 23, 2026
- Hybrid judging: March 2026
- Winners announced: End of March 2026
European Open – Craft Chocolatier Competitions
Regional craft competitions across France, Benelux and Scandinavia bring together entries judged at the end of spring.
- Registration opens: March 2026
- Samples accepted: April 2026
- In‑person judging: End of April 2026 (Bordeaux, France)
- Winners announced: May 2–3, 2026 at ShowColat, Bordeaux, France
Americas and Canadian Competitions
North America and Latin America have their own separate events for both bean‑to‑bar and craft chocolatier entries.
- Americas / USA & Canada:
- Registration: March 10, 2026
- Samples accepted: February 16 – March 16, 2026
- Remote judging: April 2026
- Winners announced: TBC
- Americas / Latin America & Caribbean:
- Registration opens: March 10, 2026
- Samples accepted: February 16 – March 16, 2026
- Remote judging: April 2026
- Winners announced: TBC
- Canadian Craft Chocolate Competition:
- Registration opens: March 10, 2026
- Samples accepted: February 16 – March 16, 2026
- Remote judging: April 2026
- Winners announced: End of April 2026
Indian Craft Chocolate Competition
A new addition to the 2026 Awards calendar, recognising innovators in India’s burgeoning chocolate scene.
- Registration opens: February 10, 2026
- Samples accepted: March 15 – April 15, 2026
- Remote judging: April – May 2026
- Winners announced: June 2026
- Ceremony event: December 2026 at the Indian Craft Chocolate Festival
Perú – 11° Concurso Nacional de Chocolate Peruano
A national competition highlighting Peru’s rich chocolate heritage.
- Registration opens: May 2026
- Samples accepted: May 2026
- Remote judging: June 2026
- Winners announced: Mid‑July 2026 at the Salon del Cacao y Chocolate, Lima, Peru
WORLD FINAL 2026
The pinnacle event of the Awards season brings the top international winners together.
- Registration opens: Early September 2026
- Remote judging: October – November 2026
- Winners announced: Early November 2026
Colombia – Cacao Country Support Competition
Supporting cocoa producers, this competition highlights origin quality.
- Registration opens: October 2026
- Samples accepted: October 2026
- Remote judging: November 2026
- Winners announced: End of November 2026
For full details, visit https://enter.chocolateawards.com/news/calendar-2026.
The 2026 International Chocolate Awards calendar reflects both the global reach of fine chocolate making and the diversity of products and regions involved. Whether you’re a maker planning to enter your first competition or a fan of cacao excellence eager to follow the results, these dates form the backbone of a year dedicated to celebrating chocolate craftsmanship.