Diageo’s World Class India 2026 returns for 12th edition

Diageo has announced the return of World Class India 2026, marking the 12th edition of its globally renowned bartending competition and setting the stage for its most expansive and ambitious programme to date. Over the years, World Class India has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s modern cocktail culture, helping transform bars and bartenders into drivers of innovation, storytelling and elevated guest experiences.

The 2026 edition introduces a comprehensive, year-long programme designed to nurture growth and experimentation. A key highlight is the new flavours module which explores science, memory and emotion, encouraging bartenders to build cocktails from the palate up. Community remains a strong pillar, with past winners and alumni returning as mentors, judges and leaders, bringing global expertise back into India’s bar ecosystem. The programme also strengthens global exposure, with national winners earning the opportunity to represent the region at the World Class Global Finals in Dubai in September 2026.

This year, World Class India expands beyond national borders to include Nepal and Sri Lanka, creating the largest-ever South Asian World Class cohort and offering bartenders across the region access to the same education, mentorship and international pathways.

Commenting on the initiative, Aanchal Kaushal, Vice President - Customer Marketing, Diageo India, said, “South Asia’s bartending culture is evolving at extraordinary speed, driven by talent that is hungry to learn, experiment, and push the boundaries of flavour and hospitality. From metropolitan bars to rising neighbourhood spaces, we are travelling across India, bringing training, mentorship and experiences to find the next voice that will shape Indian mixology.”

The 2026 roadshow is already underway and has reached 11 cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Goa, Kolkata, Colombo, Kathmandu, Hyderabad, Pune and Guwahati, engaging hundreds of bartenders through immersive workshops and hands-on mixology sessions. The roadshows will conclude on December 19, 2025 and the regional finalists will be announced between December 30 and January 1. The regional finals will take place from January 20–31 while the national finals will be held by the end of March 2026. The global finals will be organised in September 2026.