The producers of the  ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards have confirmed that they are returning to the Edinburgh Fringe 2026 with an even bigger prize pot than last year.  And many of the same backers are returning for this year including James Corden, Rhod Gilbert and Elf Lyons, plus others to be announced.

James Corden backed the Awards last year with a huge donation to the prize fund. This year producers Nathan Cassidy and Sarah Bowles are being tight-lipped about the total prize fund, just that it's 'bigger than last year', which totalled £12,500.01. 100% of the sponsorship of the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards goes to the artists in the form of prizes.

James Corden says, 'I am honoured to support the brilliant ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards again'.

2026 will mark the fourth year of the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards, which involves a voluntary panel of judges seeing every eligible comedy show at the Fringe. Prizes last year were £4000 each for Best Show and Best Newcomer, £3000 for the Panel Prize, £1000 for Best Tech and £500.01 for the Best Joke.

Awards founder, comedian Nathan Cassidy says, 'Well here we go again - the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards are back and I am thrilled with the incredibly generous support we have already received from artists this year - we can't reveal everything yet but the prize pot is bigger than last year and this isn't the end of the exciting announcements by any means.  I am very proud of these Awards, that this has now become artists supporting artists, and also their ethos - every eligible show is seen and it doesn't matter what venue you are in, your background, your industry backing, your audience numbers, everyone is in with a chance.  Mark Forward's face when he was announced as joint Best Show winner last year will stay with me forever.  He absolutely couldn't believe it.  It's an incredibly funny show, watch the YouTube Special out now here, and that's the only criteria we work from - does the show make the judge and/or the audience laugh loads.'

Awards Producer Sarah Bowles says 'We are of course over the moon to reveal we are back with the same 5 Awards as last year and all of last year's backers, with more to announce soon!  We are very proud of all the Awards, I know not everyone likes comedy awards, but as we have said from the start, winning or being nominated for our Awards doesn't mean it's absolutely the best show or whatever, that's unquantifiable, and as we make clear it's a little bit down to luck when the show is seen, everyone has a bad day at the Fringe... but, you just need to look at our track record of winners and nominees to see that, I believe, these Awards are the most inclusive of everyone.'

The 5 Awards and their sponsors so far are:

 

The Rhod Gilbert ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize

The brilliant Rhod Gilbert has again donated for the Panel Prize this year which rewards anything else apart from the shows themselves from all the amazing things that happen at the Fringe.  Rhod Gilbert says, ‘Over the years I’ve seen how much of the Fringe depends on people you never see on stage. Last year’s winners - including five flyerers - said it all. These are the people out there grafting to keep the whole thing going. The ISH Panel Prize is about recognising those unsung heroes, and I’m delighted to support it again.'

 

The TBC!! ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer

Awards producer Sarah Bowles says, 'We're very excited by our backer for Best Newcomer this year, too excited to reveal it just yet.  They fill Arenas and fill us with joy! LOL...'

 

The Charlie ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award for Tech

2024 ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show Winner Elf Lyons has again donated towards the prize for this Award, for "an innovative technician and operator who creates for and aids the vision of performers through dynamic lighting and sound". Elf Lyons says, ‘I am thrilled that the Awards are back - and this one with a new name - it seems right that the tech award is named after a technician rather than myself. Thus it feels appropriate to name it after a technician who for me is a fantastic example of the multifaceted role technicians play in performers' lives and the comedy industry - from designing lighting and sound cues, fixing mics, reformatting Qlabs and much much more.' 

 

The Takeover Radio 106.9FM ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award for 'Joke Of The Fringe'

The youth community radio station, based in Ashfield in north Nottinghamshire 106.9FM and at www.takeoverradiosutton.com, is supporting the ISH Joke of the Fringe award for the second year, last year won by Jo Caulfield. Nick Mellors, a volunteer with Takeover Radio 106.9FM says 'We’re delighted to be back in Edinburgh again for the Takeover Radio 106.9/ISH Joke of the Fringe Award, with the winner taking home £500.01 it’s probably the most valuable joke of the festival prize! As a youth community radio station, we’re passionate about showing that people like us, from places like ours, can take part in the world’s greatest arts festival. By running this award, not only can we recognise the terrific talent at the Fringe but we can also showcase our community and help people recognise that arts, culture and comedy can be the inspiration for new careers for our young people as well as providing a voice for everyone in communities that are often unheard.'  

 

The James Corden ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show

Awards founder Nathan Cassidy continued, 'The fact that James has come in again with support blows me away, as does everyone that is donating and supporting.  And as usual, I'll be sticking my hand in my pocket too.  It's really important I feel that artists that can give back do in this way.  There's been a lot said in recent times about the state of the world and what we can do as artists to change things.  We can't save the world as artists, but we can become better inside it and inspire, and I'm very proud of the way that the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards has brought people together and done so much good to support the artistic community.  I am thrilled that we have all these people and organisations stepping up to support other artists once more, and believe me, this isn't the end of the surprises for this year!'

Visit the website www.edinburghcomedyawards.com for more information clips, eligibility, and sponsors.  All eligible shows for the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards must be under the primary category of Comedy, be 45 mins or more and not be compilation shows, and certain short-runs aren't eligible as judges long-list shows after two weeks of the Fringe and then produce a short-list and winner in the final week.