American AeroPress Championship — Atomic Coffee Roasters presents

About

Atomic Coffee Roasters presents the American AeroPress Championship — the single US qualifier feeding the World AeroPress Championship in Mexico City.

This is a national event. 36 competitors from across the country will go head-to-head, each brewing their best with nothing but an AeroPress, hot water, and their own recipe. One winner walks away as the American AeroPress Champion and earns flights and accommodation to Worlds.

Whether you’re a barista, a roaster, a café owner, someone who just loves their AeroPress at home, or you’ve never thought about coffee this deeply in your life — you’re welcome here. The competition is open to all, and the night is for everyone.

Expect high-stakes brewing, incredible energy, prizes on the night including some seriously good brewing equipment, and giveaways from our amazing sponsors. This is going to be a big night.

Format

36 competitors. One AeroPress. One brew at a time. Three rounds, one champion.

Round 1: 12 heats, two brewing stations running simultaneously, three competitors per heat, one advances. Judges score on taste alone — no style points.

From there: Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals. The field narrows. The brews get tighter. The champion is crowned on the night.

Run of show

1. 5:00 PM Competitors arrive Check-in, station assignments, practice
2. 5:30 PM Doors open Spectators welcome — bar opens
3. 6:00 PM Round 1 12 heats, two stations, 10-minute intervals
4. 8:00 PM Judges’ break
5. 8:15 PM Quarterfinals
6. 8:45 PM Judges’ break
7. 9:10 PM Semifinals
8. 9:25 PM 3rd place decided
9. 9:30 PM Finals
10. ~9:45 PM Champion announced

Rules

The American AeroPress Championship follows the official World AeroPress Championship rules. The 2026 ruleset has been updated — even if you’ve competed before, read the full document before registering.

Restrictions on dose, water temperature, and brewer manipulation apply as outlined in the WAC rules. When in doubt, check the rulebook.

Venue

Getting here

Big Night Live is one of the most accessible venues in Boston. North Station is serviced by multiple MBTA subway lines and commuter rail connections from across the region — easy whether you’re coming from across the street or across the state.

Parking is available at North Station for those driving in.

Finding us on the night

Enter through the main entrance and take the escalator up — the event is on the first floor, not the ground floor. We’ll have plenty of signage to guide you in.

The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, with a lift to the upper level and step-free access throughout.

On the night

A cash bar serving custom cocktails, plus light snacks. Come ready to drink in the atmosphere — and maybe something stronger too.

Sponsors

A night this big takes a coalition. These are the partners making it happen.

Official host of the World AeroPress Championship

Title partners

Supporting partners

Venue partner

Judges

Judges score on taste alone. No style points. No flair scoring. The brew speaks for itself.

Meet the six judges scoring the 2026 championship — green buyers, roasters, and competition veterans from across the specialty coffee world.

Alison Novak

Head Roaster and Licensed Q Grader, Atomic Coffee Roasters

Alison started her coffee career at the MIT Student Center Coffeehouse before competing at the 2006 US Barista Championships. After years behind the bar in Cambridge, she moved into roasting and QA at Atomic Coffee Roasters on Massachusetts’ North Shore — the perfect place to put her MIT background in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics to work. A CQI-certified Q Grader, she’s spent 30 years finding coffee genuinely interesting.

Gerra Harrigan

Senior Sales Executive, StoneX Specialty Coffee

Gerra has been in the specialty coffee industry for over 30 years. Her career started behind the counter as a barista in high school and college, then moved into training and roasted coffee sales. She has worked on the green side for the past 15 years. She is a certified Q Grader, former USBC judge, and founder of the MANE Coffee Conference (RIP).

Sylvie Flanagan

Northeast Representative, Minor Figures

Sylvie grew up in Boston cafes and roasteries before relocating to Brooklyn, and has had the pleasure of working behind the bar, building training programs, production roasting, and working on the wholesale side of coffee. She now represents Minor Figures across the Northeast, where she gets to nurture her appreciation for great coffee and her love for supporting the coffee community she grew up in.

Jecinda Wilson

North American Sales Manager, Synesso

Jecinda has worn many hats in specialty coffee — from cafe founder to coffee director at a three-Michelin-star restaurant and inn, to roaster-wholesale regionally and internationally, and now North American Sales Manager for Synesso. A veteran of the competition circuit as a judge at the 2024 US AeroPress and US Barista Championships, she brings a sharp palate and strong opinions to the table. Based in the Virginia countryside, fueled by good espresso and natural wine.

Kathy Altamirano

Senior Director of Wholesale and Business Development, Joe Coffee Company

Kathy has been in the specialty coffee industry since 2007, with roles spanning Odeko, Oatly, and Counter Culture Coffee before joining Joe Coffee Company, where she now leads wholesale and business development. She has served as a World Coffee Events Sensory Judge and as a Head Judge for US Coffee Champs, and it was her time on the Brewers Cup Committee that deepened her love for the AeroPress.

Serena Robert

Specialty Trader, Sucafina

Serena has been in the specialty coffee industry since her first barista job in 2016. She has had the opportunity to try a little bit of everything along the way, spending seven years in roasted wholesale before moving to the green side as a Specialty Trader at Sucafina. Based in Philadelphia, she lives with her two cats, her dog, and her fiance. Outside of coffee she can be found learning about wine or out for a run.

FAQ

Do I need to be a professional barista to compete?

Not at all. The competition is open to anyone — baristas, roasters, café owners, and home brewers alike. If you love your AeroPress and want to put your recipe to the test, you’re welcome to enter.

How does the competition work?

36 competitors brew head-to-head across 12 heats, with two brewing stations running simultaneously. The field narrows through quarterfinals and semifinals to a final showdown, with the champion crowned on the night. Judges score on taste alone — no style points.

What’s the prize?

The American AeroPress Champion wins a travel voucher toward flights and accommodation to the World AeroPress Championship in Mexico City, along with prizes on the night including brewing equipment and sponsor giveaways. The winner must be available to travel to Mexico City in Q4 2026 — exact dates to be confirmed. The travel voucher is valued at $1,500 — $1,000 toward flights and $500 toward accommodation.

How much does it cost to enter?

Competitor entry is $100. Spectator tickets are $15.

What equipment do I need to bring?

You must bring your own AeroPress and filters. Most competitors also bring their own hand grinder and water. Full details are in the Rules section above.

Can I use any recipe I want?

Yes, within the bounds of the official WAC rules. There are restrictions on dose, water temperature, and brewer manipulation — check the full rulebook before you brew.

What is the refund policy?

All sales are final. If you can no longer attend as a competitor, please contact Matt at Atomic Coffee Roasters directly — do not attempt to transfer your spot independently. We maintain a waitlist of competitors who missed out on registration, and we’ll take care of reassigning the spot.

I’ve never been to a coffee competition before. Is this for me?

Absolutely. You don’t need any coffee knowledge to have a great night. Come for the atmosphere, the energy, and the chance to watch some seriously talented people brew under pressure. It’s a fun night for everyone.

What time does the event run?

Doors at 5:30 PM, Round 1 begins at 6:00 PM. The competition runs through to approximately 9:45 PM when the champion is announced.

Where is Big Night Live?

Studio B at Big Night Live, Boston. Full address and directions in the Venue section above.

Where do I park?

The event is at Big Night Live, adjacent to North Station. Parking is available at North Station, but public transportation is highly recommended — North Station is serviced by multiple MBTA subway lines and commuter rail connections from across the region.

Is the venue accessible?

Yes. Big Night Live is fully wheelchair accessible, with a lift to the upper level and step-free access throughout.

Is there an age requirement?

All ages welcome. Big Night Live IDs at the door and issues wristbands — you must be 21+ with valid ID to be served at the bar.