Blue Ridge Comedy Competition 2026

Think you’re one of the funniest comics in the region? Prove it.

We’re now accepting submissions.

Prizes & Perks

• 1st Place:  $150 and a weekend of paid work.

• 2nd Place: $100 and one night of paid work.

• 3rd Place: $50 and a weekend of paid work.

• Top 3 comics earn an automatic spot in the 2026 Blue Ridge Comedy Festival.

• All performers receive a high-quality video of their set.

Why Apply?

• Perform in front of a sold-out crowd.

• No application fee.

• IF you want feedback on your video we will do that for a small fee.

How It Works

Step 1: Submissions & Selection
A committee will review all submissions and select 24 comedians to perform on April 2 at either 7:00 PM or 9:00 PM.

Preliminary Round (April 2):

• 12 comics per show, 5 minutes each.

• 6 comics from each show advance.

Semi-Finals (April 3, 7:30 PM):

• 12 comics, 7 minutes each.

• 6 comics advance to the Finals.

Finals (April 4, 7:30 PM):

• 6 comics, 10 minutes each.

• Top 3 receive paid work + Blue Ridge Comedy Festival spots.

Judging:

• Panel of 3 judges + audience vote (20% of total score).

• Judged on Stage Presence, Originality, and Audience Reaction.

Deadline to Apply: February 28, 2026

Don’t wait—Apply today and be part of the funniest weekend of the year!

*Comics are responsible for their own travel and lodging.