The best sommelier in the world in 2026 will be elected in Lisbon. From October 11th to 17th, Portugal will host for the first time the ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026the most prestigious international competition in the area, which only takes place every three years.
Demanding theoretical and practical tests, designed to assess not only technical knowledge and quick thinking, but also emotional control, help to elect the best sommelier in the world. The ASI Best Sommelier of the World competition, created in 1969 and held every three years, distinguishes excellence in the area and has played, over more than five decades, a determining role in the appreciation and global recognition of the profession.
For the first time, the 2026 edition takes place in Lisbon, from October 11th to 17th, and will feature 72 competitors, representatives from the same number of countries. They will be accompanied by the presidents of the respective national sommelier associations, an international jury, former competition winners, specialized journalists and national and international partners. The information was disclosed in the statement announcing the event in Portugal.
For a week, the Portuguese capital will host a program that combines high-level competition, cultural promotion and wine and gastronomy experiences. In addition to the official tastings at the Sheraton Lisboa, the event includes a gala dinner in honor of Gérard Basset, considered the most awarded sommelier of all time, a visit to vineyards in the Oeiras region, with a themed dinner at the Marquês de Pombal Palace, the Final at the Lisbon Coliseum, and the closing gala dinner at the Carlos Lopes Pavilion, which will bring together around a thousand guests.
Portugal will also have a representative who “has not yet been defined. The selection will be made through an internal process”, within the scope of the organized by the Association of Sommeliers of Portugal, which should take place in April, explains the association at Boa Cama Boa Mesa.
“As is the case with other national associations globally, after the competition is held and the winner is defined, AEP will officially communicate the name of the selected sommelier. This candidate will compete in the World Cup competitions, representing Portugal”, explains the same entity.
Celebrating wine culture
Around 300 participants are expected to go to the Sheraton Lisboa hotel daily for work sessions. At the final of the competition, which will take place at the Lisbon Coliseum, around 2,000 people are expected, highlights the organization, in charge of the Sommeliers Association of Portugal. This nationwide cultural association, chaired by Tiago Paula, represents professionals serving wine and other drinks in hotels and similar establishments. The event will be produced by Event Concept by Carlos Medeiros.
“Bringing the ASI Best Sommelier of the World to Lisbon is a historic milestone for the country, a unique opportunity for the city to assert itself as the international capital of wine culture and a recognition of the continuous work of the Associação dos Escanções de Portugal in valuing the profession and excellent service”, highlights Tiago Paula.
The Lisbon edition will have social responsibility as its central axes, with part of the box office proceeds donated to a charitable institution, the international promotion of Lisbon and Portugal as a destination for gastronomic and wine excellence, and the active involvement of opinion leaders, cutting-edge sommeliers, trainers, specialized press and professionals from the international sector.
More than 3,500 professionals from the sector are expected to be involved in this historic edition, which is simultaneously a reference competition, an international meeting and a celebration of wine culture. For a week, Portugal opens its doors to the world, showing its wine identity, the richness of its gastronomy and the excellence of service that characterizes national hospitality.
The last edition of the ASI Best Sommelier of the World took place in Paris in 2023, bringing together representatives from 68 countries, more than 4000 in-person participants and 250,000 views of the livestream of the final. Raimonds Tomsons was then voted the best sommelier in the world.
