Southport Comedy Festival paid partnership
The search is officially on for the next Southport New Comedian of the Year, with applications now open for aspiring comedians from across the UK to take part in one of the country’s most popular new-comedy competitions.
The competition returns to the Southport Comedy Festival for 2026, with eight talented comedians battling it out in the Grand Final on Saturday 3rd October 2026, as part of the festival’s 15th anniversary celebrations.
Now in its fifth year of sponsorship by Dragon Soop, the competition has become an important platform for comedians at the beginning of their careers, giving emerging performers the opportunity to showcase their material in front of a large live audience.
Dragon Soop Sales & Marketing Director Isabelle Kent said:
“Dragon Soop is delighted to continue its support of the Southport Comedy Festival. We wish every act a Sooper Festival experience!”
The Southport New Comedian of the Year 2026 competition is open to comedians with less than four years’ experience of performing in front of a paying audience.
To apply, comedians simply need to upload a short promotional performance video to YouTube. Full details, rules and information on how to enter can be found on the New Comedian Competition page on the Southport Comedy Festival website.
The eight successful applicants will be invited to perform in the Grand Final, where the winner will be selected by a panel of judges and crowned Southport New Comedian of the Year 2026. The winner will also receive a cash prize and trophy, kindly provided by Dragon Soop.
Southport Comedy Festival Director Brendan Riley said:
“We’re thrilled to have Dragon Soop onboard as our sponsor for a fifth year.
“The New Comedian competition has always been one of the highlights of the festival. With so many huge names performing at this year’s event, it’s really important to us that we continue to provide a platform for comedians who are just starting out and give them the opportunity to perform in front of a big festival audience.
“Over the years, we’ve seen comedians come from all over the UK to take part, and a number of performers have gone on from the competition to enjoy successful professional comedy careers.”
Last year’s winner, Southport-born alternative musical comedian Richard McCulloch, knows first-hand what winning the competition can do for an emerging performer.
Reflecting on his experience, Richard said:
“Almost one year ago, the good people of Southport entrusted me with the highest office in local new comedy. Since that day, I have tried to carry out my duties with dignity, humility, and as many props as I can realistically cram into an IKEA storage box.
“The time will soon come for me to step aside, and for another comedian to take my place. To them I say this: cherish it. Honour the office. And make the most of the really good video you’ll get of yourself performing in front of 200 people, because I’ve got loads of gigs off the back of mine.
“Bren and Val have somehow created a competition where you never really feel like you’re competing with anyone. Everyone is made to feel welcome, supported and relaxed, which raises serious questions about whether they understand how competitions work.”
The Southport New Comedian of the Year Grand Final is just one of the highlights of the 17-day Southport Comedy Festival, presented in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport, which celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2026.
This year’s festival line-up features some of the biggest names in comedy, including Jason Manford, Jason Byrne, Paul Sinha, Jimeoin, Clinton Baptiste, Henning Wehn, Gary Delaney, Paul Merton & Suki Webster, Adam Kay, Mike Wozniak, Seann Walsh, Laura Smyth, Scott Bennett and the return of comedy legend Mick Miller.
Courtesy of Elite Events, the festival will once again take place under canvas in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee in Victoria Park, Southport, home of the world-famous Southport Flower Show.
The 15th annual Southport Comedy Festival runs from Friday 2nd to Sunday 18th October 2026, with the New Comedian of the Year Grand Final taking place on Saturday 3rd October 2026.
Tickets for the Grand Final are just £8, with the festival keeping prices low to make the event as accessible as possible.
Tickets for the Grand Final and all other festival shows are available from southportcomedyfestival.com
The New Comedian of the Year Grand Final is always one of the most exciting and supportive nights of the festival, with the standard of comedy consistently making the judges’ job incredibly difficult.
So, if you’re looking for the next big thing in comedy, come along, support the new talent and perhaps witness the star of tomorrow taking their first big steps towards a professional career.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
Comedians with less than four years’ experience of performing to a paying audience are invited to apply.
Full details and entry information:
southportcomedyfestival.com/new-comedian
Dragon Soop should only be consumed by adults aged 18+. Please enjoy responsibly.
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