> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.norrnext.com/norrcompetition/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.norrnext.com/norrcompetition/contests/closing-contest.md).

# Closing Contest

Learn how to close a contest, configure results layouts, and award Grand Prix.

Contests can be closed manually or automatically based on scheduled dates.

### Manual Closing

To close a contest manually:

1. Navigate to **Components > NorrCompetition > Contests**.
2. Open the contest edit form.
3. In the right sidebar, change the **Status** setting from *Active* to **Closed**.
4. Click **Save & Close**.

<figure><picture><source srcset="/files/LS7Wb87KwDZltfVdHJUK" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://4110454137-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FemWP543OtNCmlHpJBjKV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d856f8a6893c3e106f5a99d0eeae67215dbdefba%2Fnc-closing-contest.png?alt=media" alt="Contest Closing Parameters" width="375"></picture><figcaption><p>Closing Contest via Status Setting</p></figcaption></figure>

### Automatic Closing

To schedule automatic closing:

1. In the contest edit form right sidebar, configure the **End Date** parameter.
2. When this timestamp arrives, NorrCompetition automatically switches the operational status to **Closed** and stops accepting new submissions and votes.

### Completed Contest Layouts

When a contest is closed, the winning entries with the highest votes or ratings are displayed in a dedicated results podium.

You can configure how closed contest results appear via **Layout Options > Completed Contest Options**:

* **Standard Leaderboard List** – entries are listed in descending order by total votes or ratings. The number of top winners highlighted in the podium is controlled by the **Entries in Result** parameter.
* **Grouping by Custom Field** – entries are partitioned into distinct groups based on a chosen custom field value (e.g. "City", "Age Category", or "Genre").
  * **Grouping Field** – select the custom field to use for grouping.
  * **Entries in Grouping Result** – number of top-voted entries to display per group.

<figure><picture><source srcset="/files/N6MbU8oaDwRqxzZwMqwg" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://4110454137-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FemWP543OtNCmlHpJBjKV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7704f0b0251b7e216fdf6bd04bce1e4350c3c880%2Fnc-closing-contest-grouping-by-field-min.png?alt=media" alt="NorrCompetition - grouping by field"></picture><figcaption><p>Grouping Results by Custom Field</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><picture><source srcset="/files/bCBV0zFtqb8LmHuAYQ1e" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://4110454137-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FemWP543OtNCmlHpJBjKV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d54b608d01d1fbf0381da46ce98a23261ff45a37%2Fnc-closing-contest-grouping-by-field-front-min.png?alt=media" alt="NorrCompetition - grouping by field - front-end"></picture><figcaption><p>Closed Contest Results Grouped on Frontend</p></figcaption></figure>

### Awarding Grand Prix

In addition to vote-based winners, site administrators and judges can award a special **Grand Prix** honor to an outstanding entry regardless of its vote tally.

To assign Grand Prix status:

1. Navigate to **Components > NorrCompetition > Entries**.
2. Open the desired entry in edit mode.
3. Switch the **Grand Prix** option to **Yes**.
4. Enter an optional **Grand Prix Description** detailing why this submission received the special award.
5. Click **Save & Close**.

<figure><picture><source srcset="/files/Nuj4xwr2Zhn6Y7jGtYfJ" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://4110454137-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FemWP543OtNCmlHpJBjKV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-77aec27d27c19612ed7a48db5cea8cd43645131f%2Fnc-grand-prix-min.png?alt=media" alt="NorrCompetition - Grand Prix - edit" width="563"></picture><figcaption><p>Awarding Grand Prix on Entry Edit Form</p></figcaption></figure>

On the frontend, the Grand Prix entry is highlighted with a distinctive badge and placed prominently above the standard leaderboard:

<figure><picture><source srcset="/files/sD31IFAWu5qM1lVGc2Sk" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://4110454137-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FemWP543OtNCmlHpJBjKV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6ee58d25941b6a9e7b6a7026ac7a9f8fcefa6d45%2Fnc-grand-prix-front-min.png?alt=media" alt="NorrCompetition - Grand Prix on the front-end" width="563"></picture><figcaption><p>Grand Prix Winner on Frontend</p></figcaption></figure>