The annual contest allows American Legion Family members to showcase their work promoting the organizations in six media channels.
The annual American Legion Media & Communications Contest is underway for 2026 to recognize the great work American Legion Family members do at the post, district and department levels to positively promote and educate about the organizations. Members of the Legion, Sons, Auxiliary and Riders are encouraged to enter the contest to showcase their work in various media channels.
There are six categories for submissions: websites, publications, visual media, social media, editorial/news writing, and public relations/community outreach. Entries are broken into four divisions to select – departments/districts, posts over 750 members, posts 250-749 members, and posts up to 249 members.
A few things to know about the contest:
1. All entries must have been published during the 2025 calendar year.
2. You may enter submissions in one or multiple categories.
3. Each submission costs $5.
4. Deadline for submissions is April 15.
5. All entries must be original work. Plagiarized entries or content from other publications will result in automatic disqualification.
Enter the contest by visiting legion.org/media-communications-contest.
Winners in each category receive a plaque and are considered for the Innovation Award and Chairman’s Award (a “Best in Show” honor), which include a plaque and a $50 Emblem Sales credit.
Media & Communications Contest Q&A
Q: Who judges the entries and selects the Innovation Award and Chairman’s Award winners?
A: Media & Communications National Headquarters staff, along with American Legion Media & Communications Commission members, will select the winners in each category. The list of winners will then go before the entire Media & Communications Commission for approval during Spring Meetings in May.
Q: How will I know that my submissions were received for judging?
A: Upon payment for all submissions, a confirmation email will be sent.
Q: How will contest entrants be notified of the winners?
A: An individual email will be sent to all winners notifying them of their award. Additionally, an email will be sent to everyone who entered the contest notifying them of the 2026 Media & Communications Contest winners.
If you have questions, please email dispatch@legion.org.
- Dispatch