he Dominican Republic will once again host a national qualifier for the Cigar Smoking World Championship (CSWC), with the 2026 edition scheduled for June 27 at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in La Romana.
This edition will be held at Casa de Campo, in strategic partnership with the Cigars in Paradise Festival (CIP). Both events are independent platforms that collaborate to enhance their international reach and attract a high-caliber global audience, while each maintains its own identity, structure, and positioning.
According to information released by CSWC, the event will be held at the Flamboyan Conference Center from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., while also marking the fifth anniversary of the championship’s presence in the Dominican Republic and the 17th anniversary of the global CSWC community.
What Is the Cigar Smoking World Championship?
Founded in 2009 by Marko Bilic, the Cigar Smoking World Championship is an international competition based on a simple concept: determining who can keep a cigar lit for the longest period of time under standardized rules.
Participants receive identical cigars and compete under controlled conditions while following official competition guidelines.
Over the years, CSWC has expanded to dozens of countries and has become one of the most recognized competitive formats in the premium cigar consumer segment.
Who Is Involved and Where It Will Take Place
The Dominican national championship will be held at the Flamboyan Conference Center inside Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in La Romana.
Local organizers include DLG, Cigar Country, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas and Cigars in Paradise, supported by several companies connected to the premium cigar industry.
Oliva will serve as the event’s title sponsor.
Context
The addition of CSWC to the Cigars in Paradise program broadens the festival’s range of activities.
Alongside cigar tastings, seminars, rum experiences and golf activities, attendees will now have access to one of the world’s best-known slow-smoking competitions.
The Dominican Republic has maintained a consistent presence within the international CSWC circuit, reflecting the continued growth of premium cigar culture and consumer-focused cigar events.
What It Means for the Industry
The inclusion of CSWC adds another dimension to the Dominican Republic’s tobacco event calendar.
While events such as Procigar focus primarily on production, manufacturing and international promotion, competitions like CSWC emphasize consumer engagement and the development of global cigar communities.
Hosting the championship within Cigars in Paradise reinforces the growing connection between cigar culture, tourism and experiential events.
Event Information and Registration
Additional information regarding participation and attendance can be found through the official organizers.
Championship Information
Cigar Smoking World Championship Official Website
Festival Information
Cigars in Paradise Official Website
