New competiton launches at the festival

One stand-up will be able to call themselves the ‘Edinburgh Fringe Comedian of the Year’ as a new competition launches at this year’s  festival.

Comic Will Marsm pictured, has set up the contest, which runs at the Three Sisters venue and comes with a £1,000 prize.

All levels of comedian are eligible for entry. With heats running from July 31 to August 17 each featuring three acts, following by a wildcard round, semi-finals and the final on August 24. Audience and online votes, based on footage posted to YouTube, will influence the winners. 

Mars is running the competition through his company Need To Know Comedy.

He is also running a show called Joke Sellers - where comics auction their gags to the highest bidder, with money going to Comedy Support Act, the charity providing emergency funds to comedians  in financial hardship. The show also takes place at the Three Sisters, at 2pm daily.

They are among the first batch of festival shows to officially go on sale at the Fringe box office from 12pm today – although a number of venues have offered tickets directly already. 

Others include John Robertson’s The Dark Room, Njambi McGrath, Patrick Monahan and Robin Ince, all at the Gilded Balloon. Ince will also have a show at The Stand, as announced yesterday. 

» All Edimnburgh Fringe comedy shows so far annnouced 

Published: 12 Mar 2025