Based on the experience of "Higher Education Cup" competition, we analyzed the methods of using discipline competition to promote teaching reform on bridge engineering course. Characteristics of "Higher Education Cup" competition were introduced. The existing problems of bridge engineering courses were analyzed from aspects of teaching mode, teaching material selection and laboratory construction. Specific measures of bridge engineering course reform were proposed including the combination of media teaching and traditional teaching, focusing on the connection between relevant professional knowledge, setting up interactive links of the teaching course, participating in the model, developing the construction plan and establishing the open laboratory. The practice shows that the reform of the course teaching mode can promote students' learning interest and improve their innovative practical ability.