1 Champion.
Think your place has what it takes to be the 2027 Strongest Town?
This year's theme is "Growing Stronger in Small Steps." We're looking for communities that are making their places stronger through small, meaningful actions, whether they're already seeing results or just getting started. Here's what you'll need to do to participate.
Join
Anybody can nominate their town for the Strongest Town Contest. If your town is accepted during the nomination review process, it will become an official contestant in the 2027 Contest.
Rally support and showcase your town’s strength, capitalizing on the benefits of amplifying your town’s story through Strong Towns.
Compete
At the beginning of each round of the Strongest Town Contest, we will open voting here on strongesttown.com. It’s up to the public to vote for their favorite contestants.
As a competing town, you can rally your neighbors to submit their votes and give your community a competitive edge!
Win
From the Elite Eight through the Strongest Town Champion, the contest offers several prizes. But the most meaningful reward lasts well beyond the bracket: lasting momentum and pride in the work communities are doing to make their town stronger.
Join the Contest
Nominate Your Town
Create a short-form video (no longer than 3 minutes) highlighting what you love about your town and the small steps you're taking (or hope to someday take) to make it stronger.
Post your video on social media (YouTube, X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Vimeo, or Bluesky) and share the link with us here:
If you have any questions, reach out to our contest coordinator, Shina Shayesteh, at shina@strongtowns.org.
And remember: You don't need a perfect town or a big transformation project to compete. We’re looking for places that are currently on a journey, not places that have already got it all figured out!
Submit Additional Materials
If your nomination is accepted, we will reach out to you on January 11, 2027, with instructions for submitting these additional contest materials.
To be considered for the later rounds, you'll also need to prepare:
- A short project pitch: Write 1–2 paragraphs pitching a small-scale project that could make your town stronger. This could be a project you’d like to do, or, even better, one you’ve already started! Your project should align with one of the core Strong Towns campaigns. Include up to three photos.
- A second short-form video (no longer than 3 minutes): Tell us what steps your town is taking to improve its local economy. You could also show us how you'd recommend spending a day in your town, highlighting local businesses.
Important: If you are selected to participate in the contest, all of these materials will be due before the contest begins!
Nominate Your Town
Create a short-form video (no longer than 3 minutes) highlighting what you love about your town and the small steps you're taking (or hope to someday take) to make it stronger.
Post your video on social media (YouTube, X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Vimeo, or Bluesky) and share the link with us here:
If you have any questions, reach out to our contest coordinator, Shina Shayesteh, at shina@strongtowns.org.
And remember: You don't need a perfect town or a big transformation project to compete. We’re looking for places that are currently on a journey, not places that have already got it all figured out!
Submit Additional Materials
If your nomination is accepted, we will reach out to you on January 11, 2027, with instructions for submitting these additional contest materials.
To be considered for the later rounds, you'll also need to prepare:
- A short project pitch: Write 1–2 paragraphs pitching a small-scale project that could make your town stronger. This could be a project you’d like to do, or, even better, one you’ve already started! Your project should align with one of the core Strong Towns campaigns. Include up to three photos.
- A second short-form video (no longer than 3 minutes): Tell us what steps your town is taking to improve its local economy. You could also show us how you'd recommend spending a day in your town, highlighting local businesses.
Important: If you are selected to participate in the contest, all of these materials will be due before the contest begins!
Compete for the Title
If your town is chosen to compete, we encourage you to spread the word on social media and rally support in your community during each round of voting. This is a contest that’s all about communities coming together!
Sweet Sixteen
Format:
We'll share the nomination videos from the 16 selected communities.
Result:
The top eight towns with the most votes move on to the Elite Eight.
Elite Eight
Format:
We'll showcase the eight remaining communities' small-scale project pitches.
Result:
The top four towns with the most votes move on to the Final Four.
Final Four
Format:
We'll share videos highlighting the four remaining communities' local economies.
Result:
The top two towns with the most votes move on to the championship.
Final Round Prep Week
Format:
We work with the two finalists to schedule and record an episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, to be released during the Championship round.
Championship
Format:
The two finalists will appear on the Strong Towns Podcast and compete in the final round of voting.
Result:
The top town with the most votes is crowned the Strongest Town of 2026 and joins an elite class of Strongest Town Champions, all standing as examples for cities and towns of all sizes to continue their hard work building a Strong Town.
The 2027 Strongest Town winner will be announced March 8.
Win The Title. Win the Prizes.
Elite Eight Contestants
- One free ticket to attend the National Gathering (transferable)
- Free copy of new book, Grow Strong: Jobs, Growth, and Economic Development in a Strong Town, by Chuck Marohn
Final Four Contestants
- One free ticket to attend the National Gathering (transferable)
- Free copy of new book, Grow Strong: Jobs, Growth, and Economic Development in a Strong Town, by Chuck Marohn
- Strong Towns swag bundle (sent to nominator)
Runner-Up
- Up to 2 free tickets to attend the National Gathering (transferable)
- Strong Towns swag bundle (sent to nominator)
- 2 additional copies of the new book, Grow Strong: Jobs, Growth, and Economic Development in a Strong Town, by Chuck Marohn, for nomination team
Champion
- A plaque celebrating your town's victory.
- A mini-documentary about the winning community that will be shared with a national audience on Strong Towns YouTube.
- National Gathering tickets
- Up to 3 representatives from a non-Local Conversation team
- Up to 4 representatives from an Local Conversation team (in formal Stage process)
- Travel Assistance for attending National Gathering
- $1000 stipend
- Assistance planning a visit from Chuck Marohn in winning community for the book tour
- 3 additional copies of the new book, Grow Strong: Jobs, Growth, and Economic Development in a Strong Town, by Chuck Marohn, for nomination team
