Frequently asked questions
Seven blocks, thirty answers. Where something is not yet fixed, it says so — with the date we will know it, where we know that.
Visiting
Before you set off
The questions that come up before every festival — from opening hours to how much coffee a person can take in one day.
When does the festival take place?
The European chapter begins in Dortmund in 2027. The exact dates are announced together with the venue; we publish them in the Journal and the newsletter first, not by roundabout routes.
How long does it run and how much time should I allow?
Four days in total. Three to four hours are enough for one visit if you want to see the ground; anyone taking workshops or staying for Coffee Talks will easily fill a whole day.
Do I need to sign up for workshops in advance?
Brew School and Cupping Lab enrol on site on the same day. Trade visitors get no advance reservation — that keeps places free for people who are actually there.
How much coffee does the ticket include?
Tastings at the stands are included in admission. Full drinks and food are paid for at the relevant stand — the roasteries pour, they do not run a café.
Is there a cloakroom?
Yes, at the main entrance. Large rucksacks and suitcases have to be handed in, because the aisles between the stands are too narrow for them.
Can I buy coffee to take home?
Almost every roastery sells whole beans at its stand. For many people that is the actual reason to come — leave room in the bag.
Tickets
Buying, changing, passing on
The presale starts together with the venue announcement. Until then nothing has been sold, and nobody should be offering you a ticket.
When does the presale start?
With the official venue announcement. Anyone on the newsletter hears on the same day; there is no pre-emption right, but no hidden waiting list either.
What does admission cost?
The price tiers are not fixed yet because they hang on the hall rent. Once the contract is signed we publish them in full — day ticket, festival pass, concessions.
Can I pass my ticket on?
Yes. Tickets are not personalised; whoever scans it comes in. Resale above the original price is excluded by the terms.
Can I cancel?
The withdrawal rules are in the ticket terms published with the presale. Event tickets carry no general right of withdrawal — that is the law, and we would rather write it here than have somebody find out later.
Are there trade visitor tickets?
Yes, on proof of working in the sector. They include access to the trade formats and are valid across all four days.
Children and family
At a coffee festival with a child
Short answer: it works well until late afternoon. After that the ground switches to concert mode.
Are children allowed?
Yes, without restriction during the day. Children up to 12 come in free, accompanied by an adult. In the evening, once the music programme runs, the ground is no longer set up for children.
Can I get across the ground with a pushchair?
Yes — the same route widths that wheelchairs need also carry pushchairs. At peak times in the afternoon the stand aisles still get tight; mornings are noticeably calmer.
Is there a baby changing area?
Yes, by the accessible toilets at a minimum of two points on the ground, signposted from the entrance.
Is there anything for children to drink?
At the food stands yes, and drinking water points are free across the ground. We do not serve coffee to children, not even a small one.
Dogs
Four legs on the ground
We say yes or no to this plainly rather than hiding it in the small print.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Food hygiene rules apply on the exhibition ground, and between open serving counters and a dense crowd it is not a good place for the animal either. Dogs on a lead are welcome as far as the entrance area.
And assistance dogs?
Assistance dogs are admitted across the whole ground, without exception and without advance notice. Water points are at the information desks.
Is there dog care on site?
No, and we advise against leaving the dog in the car. The festival takes place in summer.
Payment
Card, cash, deposit
On the ground you pay at the stands, not centrally. What the stands accept is something we set for them.
Can I pay by card everywhere?
Yes. Card payment is mandatory for every stand, girocard and the usual credit cards included. That is a condition of stand admission, not a recommendation.
Can I pay cash as well?
At most stands yes, but it is not mandatory. If you are carrying only cash, expect individual roasteries not to take it.
How does the deposit system work?
One reusable cup for the whole ground, deposit paid once with the first drink. The cup is swapped at every stand; you can return it at any serving point and on your way out.
Do I need tokens?
No. There is no festival payment system and no card to top up in advance. You pay directly and take no leftover balance home.
Re-entry
Going out and coming back
A festival day is long. Anyone needing air in between should not have to choose between that and ending the day.
Can I leave the ground and come back?
Yes, as often as you like on the same day. The ticket is scanned out on the way out and back in on return; no wristband is needed.
Does the day ticket also apply the next day?
No. A day ticket is valid for the day printed on it. If you want to come on several days, the festival pass is cheaper.
What happens when the ground is full?
Once capacity is reached we let in as many people as leave — re-entry can wait at that point too. Occupancy is shown on the website on the day.
If it is not here
Then ask, and we will add it
This page grew out of the questions people actually asked at the existing locations. What is missing is not missing on purpose — nobody has thought of it yet. Write to us and the answer will be here next time.
Exhibitors
For roasteries, brands and suppliers
The full conditions are in the exhibitor handbook. Here are the questions that come before applying.
How do I apply for a stand?
Through the form on the exhibitor page. We collect applications and come back once the venue is fixed and the floor is laid out — order of arrival counts, but it is not the only criterion.
What does a stand cost?
Stand prices depend on area and hall rent and are published with the exhibitor handbook. We deliberately avoid naming a figure that would change later.
What stand sizes are there?
From the small roastery footprint to a brand stand with its own bar. At İstanbul 2024, 170 brands stood on 158 stands — that mix of small and large is deliberate and will be laid out the same way in Dortmund.
Do I have to disclose where my coffee comes from?
On request, yes. We require no certification, but anyone exhibiting has to be able to say where the bean comes from. That applies to large brands and small roasteries alike.
Can I sell at the stand?
Yes, whole beans and equipment. Selling prepared drinks is regulated so the ground does not turn into a food court — the details are in the handbook.