Free Poetry Contests

Poetry contests are an excellent way for aspiring poets to showcase their talent and get recognized for their work. These contests, listed below, offer a platform for poets to share their creative expressions with a broader audience and gain feedback from experts in the field. It's an excellent opportunity to challenge oneself, improve one's writing skills, and win prizes and accolades. Whether you're an amateur poet or a seasoned professional, there are plenty of poetry contests that cater to all levels and styles. So why not try it and see where your words can take you?

Poetry Contests

About PoetrySoup Poetry Contests

Below is a list of free online poetry contests that you can enter right now. They are managed by PoetrySoup Premium Members. Poetry contests are held every day, and anyone can enter. All competitions are free; you can enter as many contests as you want. You keep copyrights on all of your poems. Some poetry contests even have prizes! 

Contest Submission Guidelines

  1. Submit your poems to PoetrySoup using the Submit Poems link at the top of any PoetrySoup page
  2. Return to the poetry contest page
  3. Select a contest to enter and click the Enter Contest button associated with the poetry contest you want to enter.
  4. Select your poem to enter by clicking the Enter Contest button (You may need to scroll to see more of your poems).
  5. The entrant’s name, address, e-mail, and phone number must not appear in the poems.
  6. Do not identify yourself in your contest entries.
  7. The poet’s name should not appear anywhere in the poem field.

How to Win

  • Enter the contest early. A contest closes when the number of allowed entries is reached, or the deadline passes.
    Study the past winners of a contest sponsored by that member
  • Before entering a contest, have your poem critiqued in the High Critique Forum
  • Objectively and critically review your poem
  • Enter a lot of contests. The more contests you enter, the better your chance of winning one.

Tips for New Poets

List of Current Contests

Is a Premiere Poetry Contest Darkside Of Aquarius Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Friday, September 26, 2025
19 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Robert James Liguori



Is a Premiere Poetry Contest A Draconian State Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Thursday, October 2, 2025
23 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Sara Jama


Is a Premiere Poetry Contest With A Gentle Hand Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Thursday, October 2, 2025
27 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Mystic Rose Rose


Is a Premiere Poetry Contest Our Claim To Fame Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Friday, October 3, 2025
17 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Unseeking Seeker


Is a Premiere Poetry Contest Drugs Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
31 poems of the maximum 50 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Rob Carmack



Is a Premiere Poetry Contest Name Poetry Contest

Enter Contest
Name poetry form only.

Deadline: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
27 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Brian Strand


Is a Premiere Poetry Contest 2025 Poetry Marathon Mile 16 Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Saturday, October 11, 2025
19 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Mark Toney


Myth & Memory Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Saturday, September 13, 2025
31 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Vanya Evangeline


Alpha Lines Poetry Contest

Enter Contest
Rhyme poetry form only.

Deadline: Saturday, September 20, 2025
34 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Joseph May


Cento Faves Poetry Contest

Enter Contest
Cento poetry form only.

Deadline: Sunday, September 21, 2025
3 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Crystol Woods


The Pirouette Poetry Contest

Enter Contest
Other poetry form only.

Deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
14 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Suzette Richards


More Than A Soft Toy Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
22 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Natasha L Scragg


Variation Of Dramatic Or Light Verse Poetry Contest

Enter Contest
Other poetry form only.

Deadline: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
24 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Nette Onclaud


This Or That, Vol 36 Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
9 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Edward Ibeh


The Perfume Bottle Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
17 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Craig Cornish


A Romantic Or Celestial Crystalline Poetry Contest

Enter Contest
Crystalline poetry form only.

Deadline: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
27 poems of the maximum 40 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Tania Kitchin


My Dream Within A Dream Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
15 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Constance La France


The Children Of Gaza Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
8 poems of the maximum 99 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Matt Caliri


Bite Size Contest No123 Poetry Contest

Enter Contest

Deadline: Thursday, October 9, 2025
13 poems of the maximum 35 allowed have been entered.
Sponsored by: Line Gauthier


More Contest Links

Types of Contests Available

Cash or Prize Contests

Is a Premiere Poetry Contest Premiere Contests

  • Stricter guidelines for contest sponsors as determined by PoetrySoup
  • One poem per place in a contest
  • 1st place winners will have a trophy next to their poem on the website

Standard Contest

  • Rules determined by the contest sponsor
  • The number of winners and how they place are determined by the contest sponsor

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