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Competitions

Discover a wide range of poetry competitions where you can showcase your talent and gain recognition.

Have a poetry competition to share? Submit the details and help others find new opportunities to participate.

More info for Ways of Listening - An Open Call for Writers and Poets

Ways of Listening - An Open Call for Writers and Poets

Closing date: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Entry fee: Free
Adults Free
More info for The Black in White Poetry Competition 2026

The Black in White Poetry Competition 2026

Closing date: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Entry fee: Adults: £2 per poem | Under 18s: Free
Adults Children
More info for Welsh Poetry Competition 2026

Welsh Poetry Competition 2026

Closing date: Sun 28 June 2026
Entry fee: £6
Adults Children
More info for Wells Festival of Literature's International Open Poetry Competition

Wells Festival of Literature's International Open Poetry Competition

Closing date: Tue 30 Jun 2026
Entry fee: £8
Adults
More info for The International Gerard Rochford Poetry Prize 2026

The International Gerard Rochford Poetry Prize 2026

Closing date: Wed 30 Jun 2026
Entry fee: Free
Adults Free
More info for Wells Festival of Literature's Young Poets' Competition

Wells Festival of Literature's Young Poets' Competition

Closing date: Fri 31 Jul 2026
Entry fee: £3
Adults
More info for Whispering Wisdom's Children and Young People's Poetry Contest 2026

Whispering Wisdom's Children and Young People's Poetry Contest 2026

Closing date: Fri 31 Jul 2026
Entry fee: Free
Children
More info for Winchester Poetry Prize 2026

Winchester Poetry Prize 2026

Closing date: Fri 31 July 2026
Entry fee: £7 for first poem | £5 for subsequent poems
Adults
More info for Anthology Poetry Competition 2026

Anthology Poetry Competition 2026

Closing date: Sat 31 Oct 2026
Entry fee: Very Early Bird Fee – €12: December 2025 – January 2026 | Early Bird Fee – €15: February – June 2026 | Standard Fee – €18: July – Oct 2026
Adults
Someone on stage in front of a small audience at the National Poetry Library under purple lighting

Add your competition

Complete our online form to submit a competition.

Please note that the library does its best to ensure it lists poetry competitions that support the writing community.

All competitions should clearly state the prizes for winning poets and competitions without an external judge may be subject to additional review. All competitions entered through this webform are subject to approval before being posted to the website.

Submit a competition

For your visit

National Poetry Library Southbank Centre

The National Poetry Library is open six days a week.

Tuesday, 12 noon – 6pm
Wednesday – Sunday, 12 noon – 8pm
Monday, closed.

Saturday 2 May,  Saturday 9 May  – The Royal Festival Hall is closed for an event, but the library remains open  – access via the Royal Festival Hall Artists Entrance.
Sunday 3 May,  Sunday 10 May – The National Poetry Library is closed.