The world’s top bartenders are preparing to converge in Toronto this fall for the World Class Global Final 2025. From September 27 to October 2, more than 50 national champions will compete in what is widely considered the most prestigious cocktail competition in the world.
Organized by Diageo, the World Class Global Final is the culmination of months of regional and national qualifying events held in over 50 countries. Each finalist has earned their place by demonstrating exceptional skill, creativity, and hospitality in high-pressure challenges designed to test every facet of modern bartending.
Representing the United States will be Nic Wallace, who secured his place at the Global Final after being named the 2025 U.S. Bartender of the Year at the USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo national finals in New Orleans.
Held in Toronto for the first time, the Global Final will push competitors through multi-day challenges that range from speed service and blind tastings to sustainable cocktail design and immersive storytelling. Finalists will be judged by a panel of global industry leaders on technique, innovation, flavor, and hospitality.
The winner of the Global Final will join an elite group of bartenders who have gone on to shape cocktail culture globally, taking on roles as brand ambassadors, thought leaders, and hospitality innovators.
A Legacy of Excellence
Since its launch in 2009, World Class has trained over 400,000 bartenders and has become the largest and most influential competition in the global drinks industry. Past winners have gone on to lead world-renowned bars, design award-winning drinks programs, and set trends in mixology, sustainability, and hospitality education. The competition serves not only as a test of individual talent but also as a launching pad for global bartending careers.
What Makes the Global Final Unique
Unlike traditional cocktail competitions, the World Class Global Final challenges participants across a broad spectrum of disciplines. Competitors must excel in speed rounds, blind tastings, sustainable cocktail development, and storytelling-driven presentations. Each challenge is designed to reflect real-world service scenarios and test not only technical ability but also grace under pressure and the ability to connect with guests.
The final round—often a dramatic, public-facing presentation—pushes competitors to deliver their most creative and refined serve while demonstrating their identity as a bartender.
Held in Toronto for the First Time
Hosting the event in Toronto marks a new chapter for World Class, bringing international attention to Canada’s growing influence in the global cocktail scene. The city’s rich cultural diversity and dynamic hospitality industry provide the perfect backdrop for this year’s competition.
“World Class is more than a competition. It’s a global platform that celebrates innovation and sets new benchmarks for hospitality,” said a spokesperson from Diageo. “This year’s final in Toronto will highlight not just extraordinary talent, but the cultural depth and creativity driving the next era of cocktail culture.”
