The 2026 Oxford Poetry Prize

The Oxford Poetry Prize is an annual single-poem competition organised by Partus Press Ltd on behalf of Oxford Poetry magazine. The 2026 prize is judged by poet and critic Rowan Ricardo Phillips, with entries initially sifted by the Oxford Poetry editorial team before shortlisted and prize-winning poems are passed to the guest judge.

Entrants must submit original, previously unpublished poems written primarily in English (self-translations are permitted provided the original has not been previously published). Each poem must be submitted as a separate PDF file via Submittable and must not exceed 60 lines; blank lines, titles, subtitles, dedications, and epigraphs do not count toward the line limit. There is no limit on the number of poems an individual may enter.

The competition is open internationally to writers aged 18 or over. The winner receives £2,000 and publication in a print issue of Oxford Poetry; the runner-up receives £1,000 and is offered publication; the third-place poet receives £500 and is also offered publication. Oxford Poetry holds exclusive publication rights to the winning poem for four months, after which rights revert to the author.

Is this event legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any opportunity, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work. Check the organizer’s website and carefully read the terms and conditions!

Subscribe to Writing Deadlines
Never miss a deadline again. The Writing Deadlines newsletter delivers curated, verified writing competitions, prizes, and open calls straight to your inbox — subscribe here.

Could your writing use a second pair of eyes?
ProWritingAid combines deep grammar and style checks with genre-specific reports on pacing, repetition, and readability, helping you self-edit like a pro before you submit your work. Get started here —  it’s free to try!