The Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year 2026

The Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year Competition is an annual poetry contest that invites poets from around the world to submit original, previously unpublished poems written primarily in English. Poems may be on any subject and in any poetic form, but must not exceed 60 lines (excluding title and line breaks). Entries are judged anonymously by a panel of poets and literary professionals.

The contest is open to adults aged 18 or over. National and international entries are welcome. Multiple submissions are allowed, with a £5 entry fee per poem. Any number of poems may be submitted but no alterations may be made to a poem once it has been submitted.

Entries must be the poet’s original, unpublished work (including any website, public blog, online forum or broadcasting medium) and should not have been placed in the top three (or won a prize) in any competition or accepted for publication before 1 October 2026.

Prizes:

• The Winner will be named Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year and receive £300 (sponsored by Prof Geralyn Pinto)
• £150 will be awarded for second place
• £75 for the third place (sponsored by Posillipo Restaurant, Canterbury)

Longlisted poems will be compiled in an annual printed Anthology, and shortlisted poems will be read at that online Awards Evening on 1 October, when the winners will be announced.

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.

FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.