National Poetry Competition 2026
Opportunity type: Competition
For: Poets
Deadline: 31/10/26
Rewards: Up to £5,000 + publication
Location Eligibility: Worldwide
About this opportunity
The National Poetry Competition, run by The Poetry Society since 1978, is looking for a single unpublished poem of up to 40 lines from poets anywhere in the world. Now one of the most prestigious poetry prizes going, it’s open to anyone aged 18 or over, judged anonymously, with no limit on how many poems one person can submit. Poems must be written in English (though phrases in another language may be included), and must not have been published, self-published, posted on a website or social media, broadcast, or featured among the winners of another competition, before 31 March 2027.
Rewards
- First prize: £5,000
- Second prize: £3,000
- Third prize: £2,000
- Further commended poets: £500 each
- Winning poems are typically published and winners invited to a spring awards event
Eligibility
- Open to anyone aged 18 or over at the time of entering, worldwide
- No current employee or Trustee of The Poetry Society may enter
- Poem must be original, unpublished, and not previously entered in another competition where it was a winner
- Poem must be in English, no more than 40 lines (excluding title, dedications, blank lines)
- AI-generated work is strictly prohibited
Entry Fee
£9 for the first poem, £6 per poem thereafter in the same submission (Poetry Society members get one free second poem, then £6 per poem after that)
How to Apply
Apply using the link: National Poetry Competition 2026
All questions regarding this opportunity should be sent to marketing@poetrysociety.org.uk
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