61,000 tickets sold

The Glasgow International Comedy Festival has claimed a record year, with more than 61,000 comedy fans buying tickets to its  605 shows.

The event spanned 19 days up to Sunday, with headline shows from the likes of Susie McCabe, Jenny Eclair, Connor Burns, The Horne Section and Paul Black – with 103 events  selling out.

One of the showcase events, a charity gig at the King’s Theatre honouring Janey Godley raised more than £12,000, to be split equally between Beatson Cancer Charity and The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice.

 And on the festival’s closing day, Rosco McClelland, pictured, was announced as the winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award. 

Calling the attendance figure ‘collosal’, festival director Krista MacDonald said: ‘We couldn’t host 605 shows in this city without the help and support of so many; from comics who come from around the world to perform their shows, venue staff and promoters, our sponsors and partners, audiences who head out to shows all over the city, our small in-house team, and of course the local comedians who are the backbone of Glasgow’s comedy industry, not just for these 19 days, but year round. 

‘At a time when both audiences and acts are faced with less and less relative disposable income, it has been a real joy to still see so many people come out to support shows, and so many new comics begin to rise through the ranks. 

‘Glasgow’s unfailing desire to laugh, and make others laugh, is what drives the Festival and we’re looking forward to building on this success and ensuring Scottish comedy is supported and celebrated.’

» Read our review of the festival's gala show

Published: 1 Apr 2025