SCAJ 2026 · Tokyo Big Sight · 16 October · Charity auction results
present
Charity Auction
Twelve legends have each donated one box of their finest coffee.
$40,086.91 raised for charity
Auction closed 16 October 2026 · all twelve lots sold
Twelve lots, twelve legends
All twelve lots sold on 16 October 2026, in the room at SCAJ in Tokyo and online. Each lot is a single box of 22.05 lb / 10 kg. Select a lot for the producer’s story, the farm and the full specification.
| Lot | Producer | Origin | Final bid /lb | Lot value | Winning bidder | Bid |
|---|
Lot value = final bid × 22.05 lb.
| Lot | Producer | Farm | Origin | Variety | Process | Altitude | Cup of Excellence |
|---|
The full live auction from Stage B at SCAJ, Tokyo — 16 October 2026.
Legends of Excellence honors the producers who have won the Cup of Excellence again and again — not once, but across a lifetime of harvests.
The Class of 2026 is twelve producers from six countries: six returning legends and six new inductees. Between them they hold more than one hundred and fifty Cup of Excellence finalist placings and over a dozen national first-place wins.
For this first live, multi-country charity auction, each of them has donated one box — 10 kg — of their finest lot. Twelve boxes exist. There will not be more. They were sold at the first live auction, at SCAJ in Tokyo and online worldwide, and the producers keep nothing.
Roasters, importers and retailers cupped all twelve at Cupping Centers on four continents, then bid live — in the room in Tokyo and online.
Bidding, terms and logistics
| Lots | 12 |
|---|---|
| Lot size | 1 box · 22.05 lb / 10 kg |
| Opening bid | $30.00 / lb |
| Bid increment | $0.50 |
| Opening lot value | $661.50 |
| Auction opens | 16 Oct 2026 · 13:00 JST |
| Auction closes | 16 Oct 2026 · 15:00 JST |
| Pace | 5 minutes per lot, in sequence |
| Format | Live · SCAJ Stage B, Tokyo |
| Proceeds | 100% donated |
All bids in USD per pound. Terms are governed by the Legends of Excellence Bidder Agreement, which every bidder accepted before bidding. Read it in full (PDF) →
What is the Bidder Agreement?
Because this was ACE’s first live, multi-country auction, the Bidder Agreement sets out participation, payment, shipping responsibilities and timelines in detail. Every bidder accepted it before bidding. Read the Bidder Agreement (PDF, 5 pages) →
Who pays for shipping, and when does the coffee arrive?
Winning bidders arrange and pay for shipment of their box from the origin or consolidation point named in the Bidder Agreement. Full logistics, Incoterms and timelines are set out there.
The 2025 charity project
Through the revenue generated by the Legends of Excellence 2025 program, ACE supported a community project in Guatemala.
The initiative benefits Escuela Primaria Aldea El Socorro in San José Pinula, supporting the education and well-being of 55 children in the community — helping create a safe and hopeful environment where they can learn, grow and share moments of joy together.
Beyond academic opportunity, the project helps provide care, encouragement, meals and a stronger sense of community. It reflects the spirit of Legends of Excellence: celebrating coffee excellence while giving back in ways that create lasting human impact.
Twelve boxes. One evening in Tokyo.
Thank you to the twelve legends, to every bidder in the room and online, and to the Cupping Centers that shared these coffees around the world. 100% of the hammer price goes to social projects in the producing communities and to coffee education.