The Beverage Forum Europe 2026

1 October 2026 | Abbey Road Studios | London, UK

The Beverage Forum Europe brings together leading drinks buyers, retailers, founders, executives and industry leaders from across the UK, Europe and the United States, with representation from companies including Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Holland & Barrett, Virgin Atlantic, Selfridges, Sprouts Farmers Market (U.S.) and others.

The Beverage Forum Europe 2026 Pitch Slam gives emerging drinks brands the opportunity to pitch live at Abbey Road Studios in front of leading industry decision-makers. Up to 10 finalists will be selected to compete for a prize package with an advertised aggregate value of approximately £325,000, comprising services and support from participating industry partners.

The prize package is designed to support commercial growth, retail readiness, product and brand development, consumer and category insight, and market expansion, including opportunities relevant to brands seeking to enter or scale in the U.S. market.

Before You Apply

Key Participation Requirements

• There is no fee to submit an application.
• If selected as a finalist, you must attend The Beverage Forum Europe in person at Abbey Road Studios in London on 1 October 2026.
• Finalists must purchase a valid Beverage Forum Europe event ticket within 72 hours of the finalist notification email. Purchasing the ticket within that 72-hour period confirms acceptance of the finalist place.
• If a selected finalist does not purchase the required ticket within 72 hours, the finalist place will be forfeited and may be offered to another applicant.
• Applicants must satisfy all eligibility requirements set out below and in the full Pitch Slam Terms & Conditions.

This page is a participant-friendly summary. Entry to and participation in the Pitch Slam are subject to the full Pitch Slam and event Terms & Conditions available on The Beverage Forum Europe event page and during event checkout. If there is any inconsistency between this page and the full Terms & Conditions, the full Terms & Conditions will apply.

Prize Package

Total Prize Package Value: £325,000

Pitch Format

Each finalist will receive 60 seconds on stage to pitch their brand, followed by live questions from the judging panel. The running order, Q&A duration and detailed event timing will be communicated to finalists before the event and may be adjusted by the organiser where reasonably necessary for event operations.

Eligibility

To apply, the brand and applicant must meet the following requirements:

• The applicant must be a drink brand producing alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
• The brand must be legally incorporated in the United Kingdom or another European market permitted under the full Pitch Slam Terms & Conditions.
• The brand must have annual revenue of less than £5 million, or the equivalent in its local currency, based on its most recent completed financial year unless otherwise stated in the full Terms & Conditions.
• Only one application may be submitted per brand.
• The individual submitting the application must be authorised to submit it on behalf of the brand.
• If selected, the finalist must be able to attend and pitch in person at Abbey Road Studios, London, on 1 October 2026.
• If selected, the finalist must purchase a valid event ticket within 72 hours of the finalist notification email.

Additional eligibility, compliance or redemption requirements may apply to individual prize components and will be set by the relevant prize partner.

Important Dates

Applications open: Monday, 31 August 2026

Applications close: Thursday, 10 September 2026 at 11:59 pm BST

Finalists notified by email: Friday, 11 September 2026 by 11:59 pm BST

Finalist acceptance deadline: Within 72 hours of the time stated on the finalist notification email

Finalists announced publicly: Tuesday, 15 September 2026

Live Pitch Slam: Thursday, 1 October 2026

Venue: Abbey Road Studios, 3 Abbey Road, St John’s Wood, London NW8 9AY

Participant Terms – Summary

• No application fee. There is no fee to submit an application; however, a selected finalist must purchase the required event ticket to participate.
• One entry per brand. Duplicate applications may be disregarded.
• Selection and judging. Finalists and the winner will be selected in accordance with the judging criteria and process described in the full Terms & Conditions. The organiser’s decision will be final to the extent permitted by law.
• Prizes. Prize components are supplied by the relevant prize partners, have no cash alternative unless expressly stated, and are non-transferable unless the organiser or prize partner agrees otherwise in writing.
• Partner terms. Individual prize components may be subject to separate eligibility requirements, geographic limitations, scheduling, capacity, data availability, onboarding requirements or other reasonable partner terms.
• Prize changes. If a prize partner cannot provide a stated component, L.A. Libations and/or The Beverage Forum may substitute, amend or withdraw that component in accordance with the full Terms & Conditions and applicable law.
• Publicity. Information identified in the application as suitable for publicity, such as the brand name, mission, website, logo and finalist status, may be used in connection with administering and promoting the Pitch Slam and The Beverage Forum Europe, as described in the Privacy Notice and full Terms & Conditions.
• Personal data. Personal information will be handled in accordance with the applicable Privacy Notice. Information will only be shared with event or prize partners where there is an appropriate purpose and lawful basis for doing so.
• Full terms govern. These points are a summary only. The full Pitch Slam and event Terms & Conditions available on the event page and during checkout govern entry and participation.