You can, of course, write less! We welcome original poems in all forms.
In addition to the generous prize pot, we submit our top three poems to the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem, giving you the opportunity to win a further £1,000.
When it comes to our competition, you can write about anything you like. Whatever inspires, excites or motivates you, we want to read your poetry.
Win £5,000, publication in the Bridport Prize Anthology, automatic entry into the Forward Prize for Poetry, and an invitation to our awards celebration. Winning the Bridport Prize can open doors to new publishing opportunities and become an important milestone in your writing journey.
Publication in the Bridport Prize Anthology, recognition by our judges and an invitation to the awards celebration.
Publication in the anthology and recognition as one of the year’s outstanding poems.
Ten Highly Commended prizes: £100 each
To know that so many of you were writing poems and sending them out into the world fills me with hope. I want every poet who entered the Bridport Prize this year to know your work and brave spirits lit up my summer days
First prize
Maximum length
Entry fee
Open to
Judge
Deadline
✓ Publication in the Bridport Prize Anthology
✓ Prestigious competition established in 1973
✓ Excellent judges
✓ Anonymous judging
✓ Open to writers worldwide aged 16+
Before submitting your work, please read the Rules & Entry Checklist.
✓ Eligibility
✓ Formatting
✓ AI guidance
✓ Terms & Conditions
Q: Can I make changes after submission?
A: No. If you want to submit a more recent version you have to enter again and pay the fee. You can withdraw your original entry by logging into your Submittable account. To see how to withdraw, please click here. To withdraw postal entries, please email [email protected]
Q: Do you accept email attachments?
A: No. You can only submit online or by post.
Q: An earlier version of my work was shortlisted in another competition but I’ve changed it. Can I submit it?
A: If the work was not published, you did not receive a cash prize and it has been altered, then yes, it is eligible.
Q: My work was long listed in another competition and published in an online anthology. Can I submit it?
A: No. Previously published work is not eligible.
Q: My work was previously shortlisted in this competition. Can I re-submit it?
A: Yes.
Q: Are simultaneous submissions to other competitions allowed?
A: Yes, though if you submit your entry at the same time, it’s on the understanding you will immediately withdraw from the Bridport Prize if it wins elsewhere. Equally, if you win with us you should withdraw from any other competitions.
Q: How many pieces can I enter?
A: You can enter any number of pieces in each category.
Q: What about copyright?
A: Worldwide copyright remains with the author but we have unrestricted rights to first publish winning and highly commended poems in the 2026 anthology and we may use extracts for promotional material.
Q: Must entries be unpublished?
A: Yes.
Q: Does a poem on my blog count as publication?
A: Yes.
Q: Are translations allowed?
A: An author’s translation of their own work into English is eligible but someone else’s or an AI translation of the work is not.
Q: My piece was previously published in another language. Can I submit it in translation?
A: Yes, providing amendments have been made to the original work, it was not published in the UK and you are making the translation yourself without AI assistance.
Q: How do you sort entries if they’re anonymous?
A: Postal entries are coded then matched to an entry form once the judges have made their decision. Online entries are automatically tagged with a number connected to personal details.
Q: Can I use a pen name?
A: Yes. But please submit your piece in your real name. When winners are selected we check what name you want to use.
Q: Can I send the same piece I entered in last year’s competition?
A: Yes.
Q: I accidentally included my details on the piece. Will it be disqualified?
A: Yes. You need to start over.
Q: Are entries returned after judging?
A: No. They are deleted or shredded.
Q: When are winners notified?
A: During September. The full results will be posted on the website and social media on Saturday 17th October 2026. The shortlists, novel long list and Judges’ Report with a list of the winners are available as downloads. All winning and Highly Commended poetry, short story and flash fiction writers will be contacted during September.
Q: How do I get an entry form?
A: Download and print it from our website or email [email protected] to get one emailed to you or posted.
Q: What happens if I send my postal entry close to the deadline?
A: Entries postmarked on 31 May deadline date but arriving later will be accepted. Late entries are not.
Q: Are titles, epigraphs and dedications part of the poetry word count?
A: No.
Q: What if I forget to add a line count?
A: Don’t worry. We check if the work is shortlisted.
