It is with great pleasure that the Committee of the International Jeunes Sommeliers Competition can announce that the 2026 International Final will take place in Båstad, Sweden.

Båstad is a locality in Skåne (English: Scania) County. It is one of Sweden's most typical summer resorts. There are regular trains direct from Copenhagen Airport to Båstad. Journey time 1h45.

Skåne County is the heart of Sweden's rapidly growing wine industry, producing roughly 80% of the country's wines. The region is emerging as a top Nordic wine tourism destination.

In conjunction with the Competition Committee, Bailli Délégué Carl Wachtmeister and his team are proposing a comprehensive programme from Wednesday, October 14th - Sunday, October 18th.

Within Sweden, Båstad is well known for tennis. The largest centre court in the country, seating more 5,000 spectators, is in the town. Several top national players, such as Björn Borg, Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg, have played tennis in Båstad.

What have tennis players and Sommeliers in common can I hear you asking?

At the highest level, both professional tennis and the world of top sommeliers are defined by excellence under pressure. Each demands years of disciplined training, an exceptional depth of knowledge, and the ability to perform flawlessly on the world stage. As in elite tennis, success in top-level Sommeliers competitions is determined not only by technical mastery, but by mental strength, precision, adaptability, and the capacity to rise to the occasion when it matters most. Ultimately, both arenas represent a competition of the elite, where only the very best earn the right to compete, and where marginal gains, absolute focus, and unwavering passion separate good from truly exceptional.

The host hotel will be the Skansen Båstad located between the beach and the harbour with fantastic sea views. The hotel is a vibrant venue for events. Its surroundings and world-class hospitality make it an excellent choice for our International Final.

Following the highly successful 2025 International Final held in Geneva, Switzerland, we are delighted to build on this momentum as we look to the future of the Competition. At its core, the Jeunes Sommeliers continues to focus on inspiring and motivating the next generation of talented young professionals, while providing them with the opportunity to test their skills, knowledge and expertise on a truly high-level international stage.

I wish all the competitors the best of luck in their quest to become the Chaîne’s Best Young Sommelier for 2026.

For more information as it becomes available, please visit: Jeunes Sommeliers website

Marie Jones
International Vice-PresidentChair, Jeunes Sommeliers Competition Committee