Battle of Three is a fast-paced manual brewing competition where the brewers are also the judges.

Three competitors. One coffee. One grinder. One brewing device.

The only variable is the brewer.

Each competitor has just four minutes to prepare and four minutes to brew. Once time is called, the coffees are decanted into identical vessels, randomised and returned to the competitors for judging. The brewers taste all three cups and vote simultaneously for the best, without knowing whose coffee is whose.

The winner advances. Three become one. The battle continues until a champion is crowned.

Following its success across Indonesia and on the main stage at Jakarta Coffee Week, Battle of Three has earned a reputation for being exciting, accessible and seriously entertaining for competitors and spectators alike. Now, for the first time, it is coming to Aotearoa New Zealand.

More info on what it's all about here>

Competing?

All competition equipment will be provided on the day, including the grinder, brewing device, filter-paper options, kettle, scales and server.

Full equipment list and competition coffee announcement coming soon, alongside details of our event and community partners and supporters.

Competitors will receive the official coffee in advance, giving them time to practise, refine their recipe and arrive ready to battle. With everyone using the same coffee, water and equipment, the result comes down to skill, strategy and execution.

Only 27 competitor places are available.

Coming to watch?

Battle of Three is simple to follow, fast-moving and full of energy. Come along to support the competitors, meet the coffee community and watch some of Aotearoa’s best brewers think, adapt and perform under pressure. Free spectator ticketing will be released shortly.

Expect great coffee, healthy competition and a few surprises along the way. Prizes for attendees too...

The Main Prize

The Battle of Three Aotearoa Champion will receive:

Return flights for two to Indonesia.
Seven nights’ accommodation for two (twin-share).
An invitation to compete at the main Tarung Tiga event during Jakarta Coffee Week in early December 2026.
A Mahlkönig X64-SD Single Dose Home Grinder,
+ More cool stuff & bragging rights.

One brewer will earn the opportunity to represent Aotearoa at one of the region’s most exciting coffee events.

The brewers are the judges. The battle is on.

Quick Round Summary

Competitors enter the stage with no prior preparation time.
4 minutes preparation: assess, weigh and grind coffee; heat water; rinse the filter; and arrange the station.
4 minutes competition: brew and submit at least 200 g or 200 mL.
Stop at 00:00 and step away without tasting the submitted coffee.
The event team decants the coffees into identical coded serving vessels and randomises their positions.
2 minutes judging: all three competitors taste the coffees.
On the MC's count, each competitor points to the best cup.
The coffee with the most votes wins the round.

A few things we’ll ask when you register

Have your answers ready — we’ll use them to introduce and celebrate our competitors in the lead-up to the event and on the night.

We may also come chasing you for a slightly dubious headshot, so consider this your advance warning. 📸

Don’t worry, you’ll answer these after you’ve secured your ticket, alongside the basics like your contact details and where we can courier your competition coffee. 🤓

What made you enter Battle of Three?
Required
Who or where are you representing?
Required
Your instagram/s?
Required
Which ’80s/90's song should play as you walk into battle?
Required
If you win, who are you taking to Indonesia, and have you told them yet?
Required
What’s your battle style?
Required, choose one:
- Calm and calculated
- Precision obsessed
- Brewing by instinct
- Controlled chaos
- I’ll work that out later

Full Aotearoa rules>

A huge thanks to the legends backing the Battle so far:

⚔️ Event Partners
@lamarzocconz Venue & Event Partner
@c4coffee Event Partner & Competition Coffee

⚔️ Community Partners
@amcroasterysupplynz Official Grinder Partner
@hario_nz Brewing Equipment
@maeveonanzacandkirk Official Community Legends
@gffoodservicenz Meadow Fresh / Goodman Fielder Official Battle Snacks

⚔️ Event Supporters
@cafettoglobal Official Cleaning Partner
@tongarirowater Official Water Supplier
@loringroasters Official Coffee Roaster

@

A massive thank you to all of these legends for backing the Battle and helping us bring this slightly mad idea to Aotearoa. ❤️ Read more about them and what they are bringing to the battle here>

Battle of Three Competitors tickets

Choose your tickets

Competitor ticket