The list below by no means represents a full list of poetry competitions.
More competitions can be found at:
South West Poetry Competitions
 |
Bridport Poetry Prize |
The richest OPEN writing prize. 1st Prize is £5000 |
Major UK Poetry Competitions
 |
Arvon Foundation International Poetry Competition |
A biennial competition with the reputation for uncovering the poetic talent of the future. |
 |
Cardiff International Poetry Competition |
Open to all levels with an annual prize of £5000 for one poem. |
 |
Cholmondeley Awards |
These are honorary awards and submissions are not accepted. The recipients are chosen by the Awards Committee for their general body of work and contribution to poetry. |
 |
Costa Book Awards |
The Costa Book Awards is one of the most prestigious and popular literary prizes in the UK and recognises some of the most enjoyable books of the year bywritersbased in the UK and Ireland |
 |
The T. S. Eliot Prize |
‘The prize most poets want to win' (Andrew Motion) ‘The world's top poetry award'' (Irish Independent) Awarded to the author of the best new collection of poetry published in the UK and Ireland each year. |
 |
Forward Prizes for Poetry |
Created in 1991 to bring contemporary poetry to a wider audience. Known as the 'bardic booker', this annual poetry competition is the only major award that honours established and up-and-coming poets. |
 |
Kent & Sussex Poetry Society Open Poetry Competition |
Open poetry competition with total prizes of £1550 |
 |
National Poetry Competition |
One of the longest running and widely respected poetry competitions judged anonymously by a new set of judges each year. |
|
|
The Poetry Business Book and Pamphlet Competition |
Entrants submit a collection of 20-24 pages of poems for the chance to win publication by Smith/Doorstop Books, a share of £2,000 cash, publication in The North magazine and a poetry reading hosted by The Poetry Business. |
 |
Dylan Thomas Literary Prize |
This £30,000 prize is awarded to the best eligible published or produced literary work in the English language, written by an author under 30. |
