The programme also includes the awards ceremony for the 7th José Fernández-Ventura Short Story Competition and a pipe market.

In the world of pipes, few events possess the prestige and importance of the Pipe World Cup. Considered the highest stage of international slow pipe smoking, the World Championship brings together the finest representatives of national clubs from several continents to compete for a title that symbolises decades of tradition, technical excellence and fellowship.

Organised under the guidance of the leading international pipe-club associations, the Pipe World Cup is much more than a sporting competition. It is the world’s largest annual gathering of the pipe-smoking community, where makers, artisans, collectors and enthusiasts come together to celebrate a shared cultural heritage, strengthen friendships between countries and promote the future of this tradition.

The 2026 edition, taking place in Terme Fumose, Italy, on 24 and 25 October, will bring delegations from dozens of national clubs together for a competition in which every participant uses the same pipe and tobacco blend. The winner will be the person who keeps the pipe lit for the longest time without relighting it, in a contest where patience, technique and control prevail over speed.

But the World Championship goes far beyond the competition. The event includes exhibitions, artisan presentations, club gatherings, convivial moments and initiatives dedicated to preserving pipe culture, turning the weekend into a true international celebration of this centuries-old art.

For the Real Cachimbo Clube, the Pipe World Cup represents the high point of the international pipe-smoking calendar. It is where different national traditions meet around shared values: friendship, respect, craftsmanship and a passion for pipes. It demonstrates that this culture remains alive and united far beyond national borders. Hosting a World Championship reminds us that pipe culture belongs not to one country or generation, but to an international community that continues to grow and preserve the art of living slowly.

In the foothills of the Pyrenees, the small village of Maçanet de Cabrenys, in the province of Girona, hosts one of Catalonia’s most cherished annual gatherings for pipe enthusiasts. Organised by Pipa Club Girona, the Slow-Smoking competition combines the sporting spirit of the contest with an atmosphere of closeness, friendship and deep respect for tradition.

The 12th edition, scheduled for 5 September 2026, will once again bring together participants from different clubs for a day devoted to fellowship and pipe culture. As is customary in official slow-smoking competitions, all contestants use the same pipe and tobacco blend, putting their technique, patience and control to the test as they try to keep the pipe lit for as long as possible without relighting it.

The event also stands out for its support of specialised craftsmanship. This year, the organisers have chosen a Sigmund Volcano, made by master artisan Sigmund Pipes, as the official competition pipe, accompanied by Davidoff Flake Medallions, a classic blend among flake tobacco enthusiasts. This combination strengthens the connection between competition and the appreciation of fine craftsmanship, a central element of pipe culture.

For the Real Cachimbo Clube, gatherings such as the one in Maçanet de Cabrenys show that some of the most genuine traditions continue to flourish in local communities. They are events where competitive spirit naturally lives alongside friendship between clubs, appreciation for craftsmanship and the pleasure of giving time to conversation, knowledge and the art of pipe smoking without haste.