Christian songwriting contests are open now. For late 2026 and early 2027, Christian songwriters can still enter the ChristianSongwriting.com contest (Q4 deadline December 31, 2026), the International Songwriting Competition’s Christian category (extended deadline November 23, 2026) and the InspireMore Christian Song Contest (deadline January 4, 2027). Below is our Christian songwriting contest 2026 guide, with verified dates, fees, prizes, camps and conferences.
This roundup is part of our step-by-step guide on how to write a worship song. Before you enter anything, make sure your song is finished and tested. Our guides on how to write a gospel song and how to write a song from a Bible verse can help you polish it first. Stuck on a bridge? See our worship song bridge guide, or spark new ideas with these Christian songwriting prompts.
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Send My Cheat Sheet →All dates and fees below were checked on each organiser’s official website on October 26, 2026. Organisers can change dates, extend deadlines or adjust fees at any time, and several say so in their rules, so always confirm on the official page before you pay. Where we couldn’t confirm a detail, we say so.
Christian Songwriting Contests 2026: Dates and Fees
| Contest | Deadline(s) | Entry fee | Top prize | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChristianSongwriting.com (24th Annual Songwriting Contest) | Quarterly: Mar 31, Jun 30, Sep 30 and Dec 31, 2026 | $35 one song; $65 two; $95 three; $155 five; $300 ten | Each quarterly 1st-place winner gets a radio promotion package (valued at $2,895) plus a press release and a consult; a Songwriter of the Year is chosen from the four winners | Judged on song and lyrics, not recording quality; AI-generated songs not eligible; fees non-refundable | Q4 open (verified) |
| International Songwriting Competition (ISC) 2026, Christian category | Early bird Jul 1 ($25); regular Sep 16 ($30); extended Nov 23, 2026 ($35) | $35 per song per category at the extended deadline | $25,000 cash grand prize plus gear and services; category winners receive prize packages | ISC says it will run additional promotions through January 2027 | Extended deadline open (verified) |
| InspireMore Christian Song Contest | Jan 4, 2027, 11:59:59 p.m. CST | $25 per song entry | $5,000 cash grand prize; $1,000 for each first-place category winner (8) and $500 for each second-place winner (8) | Categories may include Worship & Inspirational, Gospel, CCM, Lyrics Only and more; organiser may extend the deadline | Open (verified, terms dated March 10, 2026) |
| American Songwriter 2026 Song Contest (general, with a Christian category) | Dec 7, 2026, 11:59:59 p.m. CT | $25 per entry; each category counts as a separate entry | Not listed in the terms; promotions have offered separate prizes | Open to songwriters worldwide; judged on the song, not the recording; refunds are not issued | Open (verified, terms updated September 16, 2026) |
| Texas Baptists 2026 Songwriting Competition | Submission window May 15–July 15, 2026 | Not stated in the official announcement | $500; winning song featured at the Annual Meeting (Nov 15–17, Waco) | At least one writer must be a member of a Texas Baptists church; up to three songs per contestant | Closed for 2026 |
Sources: ChristianSongwriting.com contest information; International Songwriting Competition FAQ; InspireMore terms and conditions; American Songwriter terms; Texas Baptists announcement.
Christian Songwriting Conferences
| Event | Dates | Cost | Who it’s for | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleluia Conference, Baylor University (Waco, TX) | July 20–23, 2027 | Individual full conference $340 early / $390 regular; full-time student $60 / $75 | Church musicians and music ministers | Registration open (verified) |
| Bethel Music Worship School | July 12–16, 2027 | Early tickets $649 (regular $749) until Nov 12, 2026, or until sold out | Worship leaders, songwriters, musicians; 50+ classes incl. songwriting and publishing (Bethel Church, Redding, CA) | Early tickets on sale (verified) |
The Alleluia registration page lists a cancellation deadline of July 3, 2026, which appears to be from the previous year’s event. Check refund terms directly with Baylor before registering.
Christian Songwriting Camps and Retreats
| Event | Dates | Cost | Who it’s for | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred House songwriting retreats and one-day events | Dallas Nov 6, 2026 (full, waitlist); Richmond Nov 13, 2026 (full, waitlist); St. Louis Jan 15, 2027; Knoxville-area retreat in Sevierville, TN, Feb 1–6, 2027; Nashville Mar 5, 2027; Austin May 21, 2027 | Not listed | Christian songwriters (co-writing focus) | Applications “open later” for 2027 events (dates verified; fees not listed) |
| Worship Lab pre-camp songwriting intensive, Baylor | July 17–19, 2027 | $350 per person (lodging and meals included) | Students (youth worship camp) | Registration opens Feb 15 (verified) |
| Worship Lab camp, Baylor | July 19–23, 2027 | $600 residential; $500 commuter | Students | Registration opens Feb 15 (verified) |
| Baylor Songwriting Retreat: Songs From Scripture | March 19–20, 2027 | Not listed | Baylor students and staff only | Registration opens Jan 5, 2027 (verified) |