Thinking of submitting for 2026?

Here’s what you should know about this year’s Seattle International Comedy Competition.

The format

Each year, SICC selects 32 comedians for the preliminary rounds. These are split into two weeks: a prelim week one and a prelim week two, each consisting of 16 contestants.

During the two preliminary weeks, contestants perform five shows in a row — Wednesday through Sunday — doing five to seven-minute sets. Week one for 2026 goes November 4th to November 8th, with week two on the following Wednesday through Sunday.

The top five performers from each preliminary week, as determined by judges’ scoring, continue on to the semi-finals and are guaranteed a cash prize.

semi-finals

These top 10 preliminary round comedians move on to the semi-finals week Wednesday November 18th through Sunday November 22nd. Contestants perform an eight-to-12 minute set each night.

At the end of the semi-finals week, the top five-scored comedians advance to the finals — at this point, each of the advancing comedians are guaranteed at least $1,000 in prize money.

Finals

The SICC 2026 finals will go from Tuesday, November 24th through Sunday, November 29th (with a break day and no show on Thanksgiving).

The five comedians who advance to the finals will perform sets of 12 to 18 minutes each show. At the end of the week, the champion of SICC ‘26 receives $5,000, with runners up also receiving cash prizes ranging from $1,500 to $3,500.

SICC 2026 Schedule Summary

Prelim week 1: first week of November, 16 comedians

Prelim week 2: second week of November, 16 comedians

Semi-finals week: third week of November, top 10 comedians

Finals week: fourth week in November, top five comedians

The Prizes

In 2026, at least $16,000 will be awarded to the top ten comedians. That means everyone who advances out of the preliminaries will win a cash prize.

This year, the prize for each place will be at least:

  • $5,000 for first place

  • $3,000, $2,500, $2,000, and $1,500 for second through fifth place, respectively

  • $500 to $700 for sixth through 10th place

Other Perks, Good-to-Know Info, & FAQs

If you haven’t already familiarized yourself, the Seattle International Comedy Competition has been going for over four decades and has dozens (if not hundreds) of alumni you know.

Beyond the prizes, it’s an opportunity to improve your craft, be seen by industry, and meet comedians from throughout the US, Canada, and world. It’s part workshop, part networking, part comedy hang, and finally an immersive competition with five shows a week in front of different crowds across the city and region.

If you have a question you don’t see addressed below, absolutely reach out to SICC’s talent director at taylorclarkcomedy@gmail.com. Otherwise, here’s some helpful things to know:

  • The logistics of SICC can be tricky for those coming from far, especially since it’s unknown how long you’ll be in the competition! Because of this, we do our best to coordinate as much logistical support as possible, especially for housing and transportation.

    Many out-of-town comedians will stay with local comics or “friends of the scene” — we have some SICC supporters who’ve acted as billet homes for visiting comedians for many years running.

    Additionally, for 2026 the SICC team is exploring sponsorship with local hotels to provide lodging. If that is secured, out-of-town participants will be connected accordingly.

  • Selected performers certainly have a say in which preliminary week they wish to participate in. Although it can be difficult to accomodate all requests, generally speaking most comedians do get to pick which preliminary week they participate in.

    Priority tends to be given to those who are coming from farther (sorry Portland and Vancouver comedians, although you’re still likely to get your first choice!).

  • The US is notoriously a pain when it comes to performing artists’ ability to legally work here — luckily, because it’s a contest, international comedians are allowed to perform in SICC and have a long history of doing so (and kicking butt in the process).

    Famously, Canadians have a knack for killing it at SICC. Long live our beloved maple leaf overlords.

    If you are an internationally-based performer and have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

  • Yes.

  • Probably how Arj Barker delivers the line “chicks dig lonely guys, it’s a psychological analogy” in Flight of the Conchords, but we’d have to think about it.