Top 10 International Poetry Competitions

Poetry is often a solitary pursuit, but competitions are where the community gathers. Winning a major prize does more than just pay the bills; it acts as a powerful signal to publishers and agents that your voice is worth investing in.

Many of the poets you read today—from Carol Ann Duffy to Seamus Heaney—gained their early traction through these exact competitions. Here are ten of the most prestigious open calls in the world.

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1. The National Poetry Competition (visit site)

Run by The Poetry Society (UK), this is widely considered the most prestigious single-poem competition in the world. It has been launching careers since 1978.

• Focus: Single unpublished poem (up to 40 lines).
• Why enter: The winner receives £5,000, but more importantly, the top three poems are published in The Poetry Review, arguably the most important journal in the field.

2. The Bridport Prize (visit site)

Known as the literary prize that "discovers" talent. The Bridport Prize is fierce, famous, and boasts a massive prize fund. It attracts thousands of entries globally.

• Focus: Poetry, Short Stories, Flash Fiction, and Novels.
• Why enter: With a top prize of £5,000 and an anthology that sits on the desks of every major literary agent, it is a career-maker.

3. Montreal International Poetry Prize (visit site)

This biennial competition offers one of the largest cash prizes for a single poem in the world. It is managed by the Department of English at McGill University.

• Focus: A single poem (40 lines or fewer).
• Why enter: The winner receives $20,000 CAD. It is a truly global prize with a jury drawn from across the Commonwealth and beyond.

4. The Moth Poetry Prize (visit site)

Based in Ireland but open to the world, The Moth is one of the coolest and most beautifully designed art and literature magazines. Their prize is judged anonymously by a single high-profile poet.

• Focus: Single unpublished poem.
• Why enter: A €6,000 prize fund and publication in a magazine that is considered a work of art in itself.

5. Manchester Poetry Prize (visit site)

Part of the Manchester Writing Competition, initiated by former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. It is unique because it asks for a portfolio of poems rather than just one.

• Focus: A portfolio of 3–5 poems (up to 120 lines total).
• Why enter: It offers a massive £10,000 prize, making it one of the UK’s richest literary awards.

6. Rattle Poetry Prize (visit site)

Rattle (USA) is an unpretentious, widely read journal that loves accessible, moving poetry. Their annual prize is huge and inclusive.

• Focus: Single poem (any length, any style).
• Why enter: $15,000 first prize. Uniquely, they also offer a "Subscriber's Choice" award, letting their readers vote for a second winner.

7. Yale Series of Younger Poets (visit site)

The longest-running poetry prize in the United States. This is not for a single poem, but for a debut manuscript.

• Focus: A first book of poetry (48–64 pages) by an American poet under 40.
• Why enter: Publication by Yale University Press. It is historically the most prestigious way to publish a debut collection in America.

8. Mslexia Women’s Poetry Competition (visit site)

Mslexia is the bible for women who write. Their competitions are judged by top-tier female poets and offer a supportive entry into the professional world.

• Focus: Single poem (Women only).
• Why enter: First prize includes £2,000, publication, and a mentorship opportunity, focusing on career development as well as cash.

9. Foyle Young Poets of the Year (visit site)

If you are aged 11–17, this is the only competition that matters. It is the biggest youth poetry competition in the world.

• Focus: Poems by writers aged 11–17. Free to enter.
• Why enter: There is no cash prize, but the "Top 15" winners attend a week-long residential writing course that has produced many of today's professional poets.

10. Winchester Poetry Prize (visit site)

While smaller than the National, the Winchester Prize has gained a reputation for extremely high quality and "blind" judging that favors the poem over the poet's name.

• Focus: Single poem.
• Why enter: Winning poems are published in a commemorative anthology, providing a physical record of your achievement.

Polish your stanzas, remove your name from the file, and send your work out. A single acceptance can be the spark that lights your literary career.