Ascend

ASCEND: OPEN FLAIR CHAMPIONSHIP

SOAR TO GREATNESS

ASCEND: OPEN FLAIR CHAMPIONSHIP SOAR TO GREATNESS

Ascend: Open Flair Championship – Rise to the Challenge!

Are you ready to take your flair skills to new heights? Ascend: Open Flair Championship is calling the world’s top bartenders and rising stars to Canada for an electrifying showdown on September 12-15, 2026 at the BMO CENTRE with the NEXT Foodservice + Hospitality Expo.

This competition is designed for all levels to compete against one another in one open division, from up-and-coming talent to seasoned professionals. Whether you’re here to compete, learn, or network with the best in the industry, this is your stage to shine!

What to Expect:

Elite Competition – Go head-to-head with flair bartenders from around the world.

High-Energy Atmosphere – A stunning stage in the heart of Alberta, Canada at the NEXT Foodservice + Hospitality Expo.

Exclusive Workshops & Networking – Learn from the industry’s best and connect with fellow bartenders.

Massive Prizes & Recognition – Earn your place among the greats!

Do you have what it takes to Ascend? Secure your spot now and be part of flair bartending history.

Enter in the Flair Bartending Competition and then the Top 8 from qualifying compete in the Flairco Freestyle Battle before the Finals!

REGISTRATION LINK CLICK HERE!

1. After register online, to complete your registration, email contact@bartendbetternow.com us 3 good quality pictures of you Flairing for your flyer along with the correct spelling of your first and last name and T-shirt size.

2. Register for your FREE FBA Membership at https://barflair.org/register-2/

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES COMING SOON!

Competitors

Flair Bartending Competition

Flairco Freestyle Competition (Announced after Qualifying)

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UPDATED PRIZES
FLAIR FINALS
1st Place: $5,000 + Trophy
2nd Place: $2,500 + Trophy
3rd Place: $1,250 + Trophy
4th Place: $1,000 + Trophy
5th Place: $500 + Trophy
6th Place: $400 + Trophy
7th Place: $300 + Trophy
8th Place: $200 + Trophy
9th Place: $100 + Trophy
10th Place: $100 + Trophy

FLAIRCO FREESTYLE
1st Place: $1,000 + Trophy
2nd Place: $500 + Trophy
3rd Place: $250 + Trophy
4th Place: $125 + TrophyFINEST CALL STALL: $250 + TROPHY

CANADA’S BEST BARTENDER: $200 + TROPHY + 6 month trial as FBA Ambassador
(Only open to Canadian Residents)
PEOPLE’S CHOICE 1st Place: $150 + TROPHY
PEOPLE’S CHOICE 2nd Place: $100 + TROPHY
BEST OVERALL FEMALE COMPETITOR: $300 + TROPHY
MOST ACCURATE BARTENDER: $100 + TROPHY
(Competition separate from on stage & open to anybody on site that wants to compete)
SPILL-STOP CHALLENGE WINNER: $250 + TROPHY
(Competition from the competitors that accurately poured the correct Spill-Stop Challenge pour during their Qualifying round)
BEST 30 SECOND SPILL-STOP #285-50 & FINEST CALL COMPETITOR COMMERCIAL
1st Place: $500 + Trophy ( please post with #FriendsofCNL )
2nd Place: $250 + Trophy ( please post with #FriendsofCNL )

Itinerary

Itinerary Saturday September 12th, 2026:
8pm: Competitor Meet & Greet & Meeting (First ones to complete their paperwork and have everything submitted gets to pick what spot they compete in on Sunday so show up on time!)

Itinerary Sunday September 13th, 2026:
9am: Judges Meeting
10am: Qualifying Rounds

Itinerary Monday September 14th, 2026:
10am: Flairco Freestyle Battle Top 8 followed by the Flair Finals.

Itinerary Tuesday September 15th, 2026:
1pm: FBA Yard Day and Fun Day

✨ The Stage is Set. The Legends Are Here. ✨

The ASCEND: Open Flair Championship is almost here — September 12–15 at the BMO Centre — and we’re turning up the heat with our epic lineup!

This is FBA Tour Level 10x action — some of the world’s best flair bartenders bringing their skills, speed, and showmanship to the big stage, and the all-star crew making it happen behind the scenes.

Expect impossible pours, jaw-dropping tricks, and moments you’ll be telling your friends about for years. This isn’t just a competition — it’s flair history in the making.

Be there in person at the NEXT Foodservice + Hospitality Expo to cheer on your favorites — feel the energy, hear the roars, and witness the magic LIVE. Or tune in from anywhere on Cocktail Network Live ➡️ cocktailnetworklive.com/live

Who’s ready to ASCEND?

BMO CENTRE
1912 Flores LaDue Parade SE
Calgary, AB T2G 2W1
Canada

Competitor updated room rates and booking procedure Coming Soon!

Any competition questions from registered competitors can be emailed to contact@bartendbetternow.com and the question and answer will be posted in the ASCEND Q&A FBA Group in the members section of the FBA website at www.barflair.org

It is the competitor’s responsibility to check the ASCEND Q&A FBA Group daily for any updates or information.

Play the video below for a step by step tutorial on how to access the FBA Groups once you registered for your FREE FBA account at www.barflair.org.