New Countries and Exclusive Locations at CSWC 2026

The start of the 17^th season of the Cigar Smoking World Championship is approaching, and as always, the CSWC organization has news and additions to share. This year, the competition will be held in at least eight new countries. Kenya, Morocco, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Argentina and Singapore are completely new names on the circuit, while both Serbia and Mauritius are making a second attempt to join. Morocco makes quite the entry, having chosen the spectacular Hotel Selman in Marrakesh as a venue, with a horse show as a special feature.

Actually, a lot of countries have upped the ante when it comes to locations. The US, which in the last few years has gone from seventeen to five to one to three qualifiers, are now doing six locations in addition to a special CSWC USA edition in Philadelphia. The latter will be held at The Union League of Philadelphia, one of the most prestigious private clubs in the country. It was established in 1862 as a patriotic organization to back Abraham Lincoln’s policies, and its principal structure form 1865 was inducted in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The British national qualifier will be held at an equally impressive location; the Caledonian Club in the heart of London’s Belgravia district. The club was founded in 1891, and members throughout history include actor sir Sean Connery, football coach sir Alex Ferguson and various royalties.

Last but not least, the final in Slovakia will take place at the esteemed Pallavicini Manor estate outside of Košice, the competition in Switzerland moves to Time Out Club in Zürich and in Japan, the qualifier relocates to Kyoto and the Setsugetsuka Salon.

As already reported, and in the spirit of things, the grand finale itself is returning to Hotel Rixos in Dubrovnik, with a special guest.

“We anticipate a record number of finalists, CSWC legends, as well as newcomers and up-and-coming talent,” CSWC founder, Marko Bilic, says. “And we can confirm that one of the world’s greatest football players, the Golden Boot winner of the 1998 World Cup, Davor Suker, has received a wild card to the grand finale.”