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reserve your ad hereThe Autoflower World Cup 2026 is officially heading into its 6th edition and, for the first time ever, the world’s premier autoflower-only cannabis competition is landing in Berlin during Mary Jane week.
After five successful editions in Barcelona, the Cup enters a new chapter on German grounds, bringing together seasoned growers, legendary breeders, journalists, educators, content creators and the new generation of autoflower enthusiasts for what is shaping up to be the most impressive and internationally curated edition yet.
What should everyone expect?
First of all: challenging genetics.
Going towards our 6th edition, we already know that our community kept improving and learning through experience, by either winning or losing, and each year the level and professionalism keeps growing bigger and bigger. Now, with a new city, new energy and new generations blended together with seasoned growers and breeders, this is definitely the most impressive competition that we are looking at.
The response was positive not only in the number of genetics submitted for competition, but also in attendance interest for the boat event on the Spree.
As we are sold out for the Spree, we wanted to share the opportunity with a larger part of our community and with everyone curious about autoflowers, so we invite you during June 10th and 11th at Up’N’Smoke Berlin by Stonerz Berlin, where you can be around the judges while they’re analyzing yours or your adversaries’, or you can simply chill at the venue, mingle with other growmies and enjoy the atmosphere surrounding the competition.
And this year, we are bringing something new to the table, scheduled to happen on June 11th, the second day of the Open Judging Days.
Breeders Village Comes to Europe
Our judge Julie Chiariello, owner of SKUNK Magazine and long-time cannabis advocate, is bringing her home project, Breeders Village, to Europe for the very first time, directly to Berlin and the Autoflower World Cup.
This suddenly gives even more spice and juice to our gathering prior to the Awards Ceremony, as it transforms the space into a hub for both business and home growers alike.
At the heart of Breeders Village is a deep respect for the stewardship of the soul breeder, honoring generations of work behind line breeding, stabilization, pheno hunting, preservation and collaboration, all rooted in a commitment to genetic stewardship and preservation.
SKUNK Magazine is also helping foster the future of grow education by bringing together some of the world’s most respected growers, breeders and hash makers, all centered around the most important foundation of cannabis and its global movement:
The Seed.
Breeders Village is now evolving into a stand-alone traveling experience, opening the door for direct-to-consumer engagement where the public can meet breeders, learn about genetics and connect directly with the awesome people behind the work.
The next Breeders Village activation will take place May 30th in San Diego at the Farmers Cup, with additional locations currently being explored in Los Angeles, the Central Coast of California, Spain and Germany.
Created by Julie Chiariello and SKUNK Magazine, Breeders Village celebrates 20 years of documenting and protecting cannabis genetics, while bringing the community together to share knowledge, lineage and cultivation culture.
And if you are just starting, or wish to grow more knowledge on terps and cannabinoids, our partners at Allora Labs, yes, the same LAB helping us with the tests for the Highest THC category, will be hosting a presentation and a chat on June 11th, where you are very welcome to join.
All of these activities at Up’N’Smoke have a fee of 10 EUR per day and the capacity is limited, so make sure you mark your calendars if you wish to participate, as well as arrive on time on the day.
The Categories Defining the New Era of Autoflowers
As the autoflower industry gains more and more space within cannabis grounds, so does the importance of the growers’ results through chosen genetics and breeder relationships during the purchase and growing process, which directly reflects the popularity and likeness of a seedbank.
This is why we are organizing once again the online voting for Best Autoflower Breeder, giving everyone the chance to actively support their favorite breeder and help push them toward the podium.
The 2026 competition categories include:
- Sativa Dominant Autoflower
- Indica Dominant Autoflower
- Best New Autoflower 2026
- Best CBD Autoflower
- Highest THC Autoflower
- Best Autoflower Breeder Community Vote
Being one of the only opportunities where one person or group can truly make a difference regarding support for their favorite breeder, we encourage everyone to take action and make their move toward helping their favorite breeder win the podium.
Let’s Zoom In on the Judges Booking
Of course, the creator of Lowryder himself, Sasha AKA The Joint Doctor from Doctor’s Choice, is joining us once again, as he has in every edition.
This is like a match made in heaven. We could not be happier to be supported each year by Sasha, not only because he is the creator of autoflowers, but also because chatting with him and exchanging opinions on genetics and everything related to autoflowers simply feels right. You genuinely feel like the past, present and future are sitting together in front of you while sharing a spliff with The Joint Doctor.
Returning once more as our rolling sponsor, OCB extends its relationship with the Cup by dedicating a judging part to their European ambassadors.
The lovely Stephanie Quatro, you already met her in our last edition and we know you’re equally excited as we are to share energies together with her for another AWC edition.
The next OCB ambassador joining us is Jam Locos, German grounds ambassador of our rolling sponsor, a friend of the Cup and autoflower enthusiast.
Sealing the OCB judging round table is our yearly host in Barcelona, Arnau Tango, who honestly needs no introduction. He is like the childhood friend of the AWC. We basically grew up together.
The OCB ambassadors, together with the rest of the judges, will also be hosting a smoking session at sunset while cruising on the Spree on June 13th.
If you were there to grab your tickets, get ready for a blissful afternoon to evening. And for those who missed the chance this year, there is always a next time. You just need to keep your eyes peeled for updates from the Cup and be fast.
We are immensely happy and hyped that we have new names from different parts of the world joining the judges crew.
Michael Knodt, one of the most known and respected figures on German grounds, joins us this year. Berlin-based Michael Knodt specializes in cannabis and hemp journalism and has written extensively for various German and English magazines, including Vice Magazine. Michael is also the face and moderator behind DerMicha, the popular German YouTube channel focused on cannabis and prohibition.
Another important advocate for cannabis and social actions within the industry is the already mentioned Julie Chiariello, bringing us not only US expertise, but also her Breeders Village gathering, for which we are very excited and thankful that she chose us to host together with.
Also joining us from the US is Rob CLTV, an important voice within the industry, who we trust to bring very critical and detailed analysis to the autoflower genetics presented this edition.
We like facts. We like results. And Rob will definitely be the spice and pepper of the judging sessions.
But it does not stop there.
He is bringing his cool gang together with him from the States, sharing judging duties with:
- ICanTHC, who has already judged two American Autoflower Cups in Los Angeles and therefore brings direct Cup experience
- Pigeons420, a vocal critic of overhyped autoflower strains, which again adds real credibility to the panel
- Northern Scrogger, a deeply experienced grower and consumer
And then comes Mavi Ferreira. What a delight it was to book him again for the AWC. Mavi blends life, art, food, fashion and cannabis into a vibrant digital presence. Last year we were uber hyped with his gear and judging details, so in 2026 we are going ahead together once more.
The same goes for Timm Terpentino. Every time you sit around him during judging sessions, you genuinely feel like you are inside a laboratory, taking notes and making important decisions regarding who deserves the podium.
Last but definitely not least, we introduce our 6th edition host and judge, Max Buechse, a man with excellent taste in cannabis, canna chef and beloved personality within the community.
He will be the cherry on top, sealing this judges list which we carefully curated in order to gather all the necessary opinions, expertise and perspectives needed to award this edition as accurately as possible.
Honestly, seeing all of this written down already gives us chills.
We are officially setting the timers for what feels like the next major step in autoflower culture and activities worldwide: the 6th edition of the Autoflower World Cup in Berlin.
See you there, or see you online.
Good luck everyone, and we are beyond excited to meet you all in less than one month.
