Enter the Chortle Student Comedy Award 2026

£1,000 first prize

Entries have opened today for the 2026 Chortle Student Comedy Award.

The competition has a formidable reputation for finding new talent with previous winners and finalists including Joe Lycett, Phil Wang, Jamali Maddix, Ed Gamble, Chris Ramsey, Richard Gadd, Laura Lexx, Iain Stirling, Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal.

This year’s champion will receive £1,000 with £250 for the runner-up.

The initial round will be completed online, with acts judged on submitted videos. Those successful will then be invited to one of six semi-finals around the country, with the winner of each taking a place in the final at the Edinburgh Fringe. There will also be two wildcard places and one voted by Chortle readers.

All finalists will also be invited to play the Comedy Arena at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk on July 23 to 26, the same stage that will also be graced by the likes of Ross Noble, Lenny Henry and Jack Dee over the weekend.

Last year’s award was shared by Fred Carver and Anna George.

Carver said: ‘For me, the Chortle Student Awards was a brilliant, fun, and somewhat stressful experience.

‘At the Latitude Festival I got to experience the lofty highs of performing on a huge stage to a lovely audience, and the pitiful lows of buying a bad burrito for £14. Yin and yang.

‘Performing at the Edinburgh Fringe [final] was equal parts overwhelming and a good time. It is an experience unlike any other, but probably fairly similar to whatever you're imagining.

‘I think the Student Comedy Awards are a great way to meet other fantastic, like-minded student comedians from across the country, and a real opportunity to access overpriced burritos. I would recommend it.’

And George – who said she received press attention and extra bookings after her victory – added: ‘The best part of the experience was meeting the other contestants; I made some great friends through the competition. I also enjoyed the challenge of writing a set outside of my comfort zone and getting the opportunity to perform it at Edinburgh.’

Entries, using the form below, are open from now until 23:59pm on February 14, and full terms and conditions are here. Please don't submit the form more than once.

Please note that because the Edinburgh semi-final is early, we will be allocating spaces there before the closing date. If you want to take part in this one, please enter as soon as you can to maximise your chances of getting the semi-final you want.