Entries & Awards

The Young Playwrights Award 2026 is now closed.

Thank you to everyone who entered! We will be in touch with all entrants with updates and personal feedback in due course.

Shortlisting & Winners 

The Award is decided by the Royal Court Theatre’s artistic team, with final decisions made by our panel. 

Everyone who enters will get personal feedback. All shortlisted writers will be announced on our website and will also receive a certificate of recognition and a free book on playwriting to support your next steps, donated by Nick Hern Books. 

Winning plays will be showcased at a festival in July at the Royal Court Theatre, London, presented as a series of staged readings by professional directors and actors – with the plays also published in a special edition by Nick Hern Books. As part of the festival, we’ll also host a special prizegiving, with unique trophies for every winning writer. 

For winning plays included in the festival, we will also be able to support with travel and accommodation costs for writers based outside London, ensuring you can attend the performance and ceremony. 

The prizes are supported by the Publishing Partner for the Royal Court Young Playwrights Award, Nick Hern Books.