SIGEP World 2026, the global trade fair dedicated to artisanal foodservice excellence, will return to the Rimini Expo Centre from January 16 to 20, placing the spotlight on two of the most prestigious international competitions in the industry: the Gelato World Cup and the Juniores Pastry World Cup.
The Gelato World Cup will bring together elite gelato artisans in what remains the only global contest of its kind. At the same time, the Juniores Pastry World Cup will showcase the next generation of pastry professionals, drawing talent from around the world. These headline events are part of a broader showcase that spans the full spectrum of gelato, pastry, chocolate, coffee, bakery, and pizza.
Among the other key features of the 2026 edition is Pizza (R)evolution, a program aimed at exploring evolving synergies between ingredients, technology, and consumer habits. Coffee will also take center stage with the Innovation Bar, an experiential concept that highlights new trends shaping the international coffee shop landscape.
SIGEP World is organized by Italian Exhibition Group and serves as a leading platform for business, innovation, and education in the foodservice sector. The 2026 edition will highlight India as the official Guest Country, underscoring the growing relevance of Asian markets in global food trends.
Corrado Peraboni, CEO of Italian Exhibition Group, noted the scale of the event’s previous edition: “In 2025, the show hosted 1,300 exhibiting brands from 33 countries in 30 halls, welcoming an audience of professionals from 160 countries. For 2026, the internationalization strategy has been strengthened even further.”
That strategy includes a global roadshow, which will launch on November 6 at the Italian Embassy in Madrid, targeting the Spanish foodservice business community. Marco Carniello, Chief Business Officer at IEG, said the campaign aims to increase international outreach and engagement. Enhancing accessibility to the venue, new direct air connections have also been added between Rimini, Munich, and Spain.
“Gelato, the Italian frozen dessert, will be the protagonist of Gelato Meets Chains,” said Flavia Morelli, head of IEG’s Food & Beverage division. “A new strategic project that, prior to the show, will feature, among other things, webinars and digital meetings for selected buyers and a guide, compiled by UIF and ACOMAG, on the economic, operational and image advantages of including gelato on menus.”
The event will also reinforce its position as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurial development with features such as SIGEP Vision, the “Lorenzo Cagnoni” Innovation Award, and an international showcase dedicated to start-ups and thought leadership.
SIGEP World continues to affirm its role as a benchmark for the artisanal foodservice sector, attracting a diverse and growing international audience with each edition.
Find out more at: https://www.sigep.it/en