Along with our low stakes, highly supportive open mics, Winnipeg Poetry Slam (WPS) hosts competitive poetry slams where participants throw down FOR ALL THE GLORY!!!

Poetry Slams consist of two (2) rounds of 3-minute poems (with a 10-second grace period) with up to twelve (12) participants. Where available, these may also include a 15-20-minute set from a featured poet.

At a “slam,” anyone can sign up to compete and all styles are welcome. All poets must perform original work within the stated time limit without the aid of props, costumes, nudity, animal acts, or musical accompaniment. Violating these rules may result in disqualification, and going past the time limit results in half (0.5) a point deducted for every ten (10) second overage. The time clock begins as soon as the poet engages the audience (adjusting the mic/stand or taking a deep breath doesn’t count, but speaking or gesturing in a way that interacts with the audience does).

Poetry Slams are judged competitions

Before the show, organizers select five random people or groups of people from the audience who volunteer to give each poet a score between 0.0 and 10.0 using scorecards (it’s kind like a rap battle crossed with a diving competition…trust us).

After each poem, the host reads the scores aloud, and the audience is encouraged to cheer or boo! based on their own reaction to the poets. The scorekeeper drops the highest and lowest numbers, then adds up the middle three for the poem’s score, out of a potential 30 points.

Every poet signed up for the slam performs in the first round. The six(6) highest-scoring poets qualify to perform again in the second round. Scores in the second round are tallied from scratch using the same method as above. The top 3 poets receive a prize, and all competitors earn season points towards qualification for the Grand Slam Finals.

Poems which are used in the 3 qualifying bouts may not be repeated in the finals.

Points are assigned as follows:

1st place – 12 points

2nd place – 10 points

3rd place – 8 points

4th place – 6 points

5th place – 4 points

6th place – 2 points

The remaining rankings receive 1 point each.

The Winnipeg Poetry Slam Competitive Season (updated)

For the 2026 season, qualifying slams take place in April, June, and August, after which the twelve (12) highest-ranking poets based on cumulative season points qualify for the Grand Slam Final in October or November - TBD. Prizes are awarded to the top 3 finalists in each competition. The winner, aka The Winnipeg Poetry Slam Grand Slam Champion, earns the privilege to represent our community at the annual Canadian Individual Poetry Slam (CIPS) in Vancouver as part of the Verses Festival of Words.‍ ‍

Poets may slam multiple times throughout the year to improve their points total.

Tiebreaks

In the event that two or more poets are tied for the final qualifying spots for The Grand Slam Finals, the following tiebreaks will determine which poet gets the spot:

1. The poet who has competed the most number of times in a year.
   Example: Two poets are tied on 10 points. The first participated in 5 slams during the year; the second participated in 2 slams during the year. The first poet wins the tiebreak on the basis of having participated in more slams.

2. The poet who has the highest single rank (or greatest number of highest single ranks).

   Example: Two poets are tied on 10 points. The first qualified through coming 1st (8 points) and 4th (2 points), whereas the other qualified through coming 2nd (6 points) and 3rd (4 points), the first poet wins the tiebreak on the basis of having come 1st in a slam.

3. The poet with the lowest score differential.

   Example: Two poets remain tied after considering the number of slams and highest single rank. The poet with the lowest differential between their total score(s) and those of the 1st-ranked poet on the nights they competed wins the tiebreak.

4. Total score.

   Example: The poet with the highest cumulative score(s) from their competitions will win the tiebreak.

Current Season Rankings

*As of June 30, 2026

Rank                Points              Name

1  20                    Janelle Lagasse

2 (tie)              18                    Katie

-                       18                    Hilary Carroll

4                      10                    Emily

5                      8                      Star

6 (tie)              6                      Briana Kaldor-Mair

-                       6                      Lee

8                      5                      Alexis

9                      3                      Ell

10(tie)             2                      Leanora

-                       2                      IDIC Verse

12(tie)             1                      Whitney

-                       1                      Squigs

-                      1                      Marie

-                      1                      Miracle Campeau

-                     1                      Jess

-                       1                      Christopher Parker

-                      1                      Kanane

-                       1                      Tino

-                 1                      Carina Kirk