Help for Fringe comedians

Chortle today launches the second year of our Hotshots initiative – offering support to comedians making their debuts at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe.

Eligibility for this year’s scheme has also been expanded to include performers who may have performed a free show before, but are now moving into a paid venue.

We will be selecting five acts from across the UK to receive a bursary to cover the Fringe registration fee as well as £250 worth of advertising on Chortle.

Those shortlisted will be showcased at five Chortle Hotshots gigs, run in conjunction with some of the country’s top comedy clubs. One act from each showcase will be chosen to receive the bursary.

The shows will be:

February 25: Bristol The Gaffe. Tickets
March 4: London Top Secret. Tickets
March 8: Manchester Fairfield Social. Tickets
March 11: Birmingham Glee. Tickets.
March 24: Edinburgh Monkey Barrel. Tickets.

Last year’s Chortle Hotshots were  Jessie Nixon, Shalaka Kurup, Liam Tulley, 

The scheme is open to any stand-up, sketch team or musical, character or clowning act performing a 50-minute-plus show in the comedy section of the Fringe programme for at least 12 dates. It must be either your first show altogether, or your first show beyond the Free Fringe/Free Festival circuit.

The bursary package also includes guaranteed coverage on Chortle, including an impartial review, directorial-style help putting the show together, if wanted, help putting a press release and an invitation to perform at Chortle’s Fast Fringe gig in London this summer, and at the Pleasance during the Fringe. 

Applications close at midnight on February 25 – except for those applying for the first heat, in Bristol, when it is February 18. More terms and conditions are below the entry form.

Meanwhile, entries remain open for our Student Comedy Award until Saturday.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Chortle Hotshots showcase will be filmed, with a short extract being posted online. By taking part you give us permission to host this footage at least until the start of the 2027 Fringe.

The winner of the Bristol heat will receive the early-bird Fringe registration fee for shows registering before March 4. The winners of the other heats will be reimbursed for whatever fee they pay or have paid the Festival Fringe Society to register.

All costs incurred by acts in participating in the showcases will be at the performers’ own expenses, although 60 per cent of any profit Chortle makes from ticket sales at the heats will be shared among the acts taking part (Though this may well be zero!)

Personal information submitted on the application form will be used for the purposes of organising the event and related marketing and promotional activities.

The organiser – Chortle Comedy Ltd –  reserve the right to make amendments to the Hotshots scheme, but any such changes will be communicated to those who have applied.

Published: 16 Feb 2026