Entries for World Class GB are now live, with a Bartender Toolkit also released to help prospective competitors on their World Class journey.
Now in its 17th year, Diageo's World Class celebrates the grassroots of cocktail making, interacting with more than 400,000 bartenders worldwide since its formation in 2009.
Entries are now open and run until March 1st.
The Toolkit for 2026 details the Entry Challenges, which this year sees two Johnnie Walker tasks, named A Walking Icon with Johnnie Walker Black Label and Rule Breaker with Johnnie Walker Black Ruby.
Bartenders may enter either or both challenges, maximising their opportunities to progress.
This year’s submission requires a cocktail recipe (or two), a cocktail description and two portrait-format images of each cocktail.
The Toolkit also sets out the prizes on offer, which include a £10,000 "career investment", the opportunity to become Creative Drinks Partner for the BAFTAs, and exclusive VIP access to Diageo brand homes and experiences, to name just a few. Second and third placed bartenders also receive rewards for their efforts.
Steff Anderson, World Class GB Ambassador, said: “Everything you need to begin your journey can be found within this toolkit. Consider it both a resource and companion as you push your craft and your career forward.”
World Class GB will see its Top 50 bartenders announced on March 18th, while from March 30th to April 27th, the competition takes the form of a nationwide World Class x Schweppes Judging Roadshow and the Palomarama Festival from April 6th–19th.
After which the Top 10 is scheduled to be announced on May 6th, while the final will be in London from June 1st to 4th.
The winner of World Class GB will join a Road to Dubai mentorship programme and the European Winners’ Tour ahead of the Global Finals in Dubai.