Coffees from 14 Countries Around the World Gather in Yeongdo
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Coffees from 14 Countries Around the World Gather in Yeongdo
Now in its 7th year, the 2026 Global Yeongdo Coffee Festival, firmly established as Busan's leading coffee festival, is set to open in grand style. From May 15 (Fri) to May 17 (Sun), for three days, the areas around Amir Park in Yeongdo and Blueport 2021 will be filled with the passion of coffee professionals from around the world and the rich aroma of coffee.
A Global Coffee Culture in One Place
This year's festival welcomes visitors with an expanded scale and more substantial programs than ever before. More than 100 domestic and international coffee companies will participate, including those from 14 countries [Central and South America: Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru / Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya (new), Uganda (new) / Asia: China, Japan, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines (new)]. At over 150 booths, visitors can enjoy coffee tastings and experience diverse global coffee cultures—from green beans at their origin to a perfectly brewed cup—through all five senses.
In addition, the Global Cupping & Seminar Room, held together with participating countries, will offer vivid insights into unique coffee stories from countries such as Japan, Peru, Honduras, and Indonesia. Meanwhile, alongside the GPCC in Yeongdo (Global Pentagon Coffee Cup Tasters Championship), a cupping competition that received great response last year, a new brewing competition—GCBC in Yeongdo (Global Coffee Brewing Championship)—has been introduced this year under the theme “A One-Cup Showdown of Baristas in the Ocean City of Yeongdo!” The brewing competition, where baristas compete with precision and skill, will be held at Blueport 2021, Yeongdo’s representative coffee hub facility. Visitors can witness firsthand the artistry of coffee crafted through the delicate techniques of baristas, and strong interest is anticipated.
The Convergence of Global Business and AI Technology
This year, the global coffee industry sector has been further strengthened. Based on the business agreement signed in March with the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority, a familiarization tour (FAM tour) will be conducted to expand global exchange. In addition, through the “Specialty Coffee Origin Business Meeting,” a project linked with the Busan Technopark, a practical platform for business exchange will be created among coffee farm owners, trading companies, and café operators.
In addition, a unique event reflecting current trends, “AI vs. Human Coffee Recipe Challenge,” will add excitement. Over two days, from the 16th to the 17th, visitors will taste coffee designed by AI and coffee prepared by baristas, then vote for their preferred cup. The results will be analyzed based on the collected data and announced on the main stage on the final day of the festival.
A Diverse Range of Programs Engaging All Five Senses
On the first evening of the festival, May 15, the night sky of Yeongdo will be illuminated by the melodies of a coffee concert and a spectacular coffee art drone show. On the following day, May 16, the beloved character Bread Barbershop parade will take place, offering unforgettable memories for children, while an eco-friendly experience playground and a family zone will provide relaxation for family visitors.
In particular, on the afternoon of the 16th, Noh Yu-min (CEO of NOUMINCOFFEE X S), a successful coffee entrepreneur, will present a refreshing and stylish shakerato-making demonstration, further heightening the festival atmosphere. In addition, true to the name “Coffee Island Yeongdo,” a “Relaxation Zone” will be set up at the edge of the venue, where visitors can unwind while enjoying the open sea view and DJ-curated music. Busking performances throughout the venue will add excitement to every step, transforming the entire festival into a large-scale artistic experience.
A Sustainable Coffee Festival That Cares for the Planet
This coffee festival is designed as an eco-friendly event, encouraging visitors to enjoy coffee while remaining mindful of the environment. A zero single-use plastic policy will be implemented, and in cooperation with participating vendors, a 10% discount on beverages will be offered to visitors who bring their own tumblers.
Meanwhile, an official from Yeongdo District stated, “We hope that the 2026 Global Yeongdo Coffee Festival will be successfully held and serve as an opportunity for Yeongdo District to establish itself as a central city in the coffee industry.”
Source: YEONGDO NEWS
Global Yeongdo Coffee Festival 2026
○ Period: May 15-17, 2026
○ Venue: Yeongdo Amir Park (around the National Maritime Museum of Korea)
○ Hours of Operation: May 15-16, 11:00-20:00, May 17, 11:00-18:00
○ Hosted by: Yeongdo-gu Office, Korea Coffee Association
