The American Autoflower Cup (AAC) is an elite cannabis competition held in the United States that showcases and awards the best autoflowering strains from around the world. It’s open to participants worldwide, offering national and international seed banks, grow stores, individuals, and collaborative growers the opportunity to bring their best autoflower breeds to the table. 

This premier international contest brings out the best of the best, shining the spotlight on the best breeders, highest quality genetics, and revolutionary advancements in the autoflower industry. By making the AAC open to participants worldwide, it successfully drives the global movement of quality autoflower cannabis cultivation.

Focusing exclusively on the specific characteristics and challenges of breeding autoflowers - including recessive genetics, phenotype stability, preserving desired traits, and maximizing yields — the AAC gives successful autoflower breeders the recognition they deserve for the advanced skills and scientific understanding necessary to create high-quality autoflowering strains. 

Each entry goes through meticulous inspection, with a judging system that includes the evaluation and analysis of industry experts and independent laboratory testing to ensure quality and safety. By doing this, the AAC sets the highest standards for quality, transparency, and dedication to professionalism in the autoflower industry. 

Winners of the America Autoflower Cup don’t just attract international attention. Securing a win at the Cup creates the strong foundation necessary for brands or breeders that intend to become autoflower industry leaders, exposing them to new buyers, markets, and media sources. Creating an autoflower variety that wins the AAC is one of the highest honors in the industry, highlighting breeding mastery, innovation, discipline, and uncompromised commitment to shaping the future of the global cannabis market. 

Selecting American Autoflower Cup winners is a meticulous process, where each entry is evaluated with rigorous standards that blend the insight of industry experts with strict scientific analysis. Combining a panel of expert judges deeply rooted in the cannabis industry with state-of-the-art lab testing ensures only the highest quality cultivars rise to the top. 

Every autoflower entered in the AAC undergoes mandatory third-party lab testing before it’s evaluated by judges. These independent lab tests verify the potency of each entry by evaluating cannabinoid levels (THC, CBD, etc), as well as strict screens that detect the presence of potentially harmful substances like pesticides, heavy metals, mold, mildew, and mycotoxins.

This meticulous process ensures pure and safe autoflower entries are evaluated by the AAC’s expert panel of judges. But it doesn’t just ensure strain safety and quality - it also plays a major role in safeguarding the health of the judges. Any entries that are contaminated or non-compliant are eliminated from competition before the judging phase. 

The American Autoflower Cup’s judging panel is made up of distinguished cannabis breeders, cannabis cultivation experts, professional lab technicians, and respected industry journalists. Each judge brings years of experience in the cannabis industry - including in evaluation of different phenotypes, development of strains, and product testing, which sets the highest quality standards for the introduction of the world’s best autoflower strains. 

Any breeder, grower, or seed company working with autoflower genetics can submit entries for consideration. The Cup is open to participants worldwide, encouraging global innovation in autoflower cannabis cultivation.

The Cup features awards including:

Highest THC (Lab test)

Best Auto Breeder (Voting)

Best Terps (Entry)

Best Looking (Entry)

Best Auto Overall (Entry)

Best Smoke (Entry)

Best Auto Hash (Entry)

This year, one submission will automatically be judged across all major flower categories!

Each entry goes through a blind evaluation of visual, sensory, and effects, which primarily include appearance, aroma, taste, and the overall experience. 

Appearance: Judges look for visually striking, well-manicured, seedless buds with a compact structure and appealing uniform colors.

Resin production is often evaluated, which is indicative of healthy trichome production and potency. They also look for any signs of mold, disease, or pests.  

Aroma: Strains are judged for their strong, consistent, and intense aroma. Special attention is also given to any subtle differences in scent displayed by its unique terpene profile. 

Taste: Not only should an autoflower’s taste reflect its intense aroma, the flavor needs to be strong and easy to recognize, whether it’s sweet and fruity or packed with sour citrus and earthy diesel notes. 

Effects: While the way a strain makes someone feel is completely subjective, the effects of entries must be distinctly clear - whether they’re energetic, focused, creative, and uplifting or provide a more relaxing and sedative-like experience.  

Other factors autoflowers are judged on can include cure quality and how smooth a strain smokes. 

Fast Buds took home the title of Best Autoflower Breeder 2025, a win that confirmed what most in the community already knew - they’re leading the global autoflower scene.

Their genetics have consistently delivered in every category, from flower to hash, with standout champions like Banana Purple Punch and Orange Sherbet proving that top-tier quality can come with speed.

With lab results topping 30% THC and a streak of wins across three consecutive years, Fast Buds continues to redefine what’s possible for autoflowers.

Voted by growers, judged by experts, and respected across the industry - they remain the benchmark for power, flavor, and precision breeding. 

The highest-THC autoflower ever recorded at the American Autoflower Cup is Mendo Breath Auto by Atlas Seed, testing at an impressive 30.33% THC in 2025.

The strain also earned 2nd place for Best New Autoflower Strain, confirming that its power is matched by flavor, structure, and overall quality. With that result, Atlas Seed officially pushed autoflowers into the 30% club - a milestone for the entire category.

Each year, the Cup evolves - with new categories, new faces, and new milestones - but the goal remains constant: to elevate the conversation around autoflowers and to honor the craftsmanship behind every strain, from seed to jar or extraction.

After an incredible 2025 edition that set new records for participation and potency, the 4th Annual American Autoflower Cup returns to Be True Los Angeles on January 31st, 2026 - once again bringing together growers, breeders, and enthusiasts from across the country and beyond.

Register here!