UK Live Comedy Sector Survey Report

Building the Evidence Base for UK Live Comedy

The UK Live Comedy Sector Survey is an annual national research project led by Sharon Lockyer and Simon Weaver at the Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR), in partnership with the Live Comedy Association (LCA) and the British Comedy Guide (BCG). The survey provides the most comprehensive independent data on the economic, social, and cultural conditions of the UK’s live comedy sector.

Each year, the research gathers responses from comedians, promoters, producers, venue managers, agents, festival organisers, technicians, publishers, journalists and comedy critics across the UK. The resulting report offers detailed insights into how the sector functions, its contribution, its challenges, and its future sustainability.

Why This Research Matters

Grassroots live comedy is a crucial part of the UK’s cultural infrastructure. It:

  • Develops new and emerging talent
  • Sustains local venues and regional cultural economies
  • Contributes to the wider creative industries
  • Creates spaces for public dialogue, experimentation, and community

Yet the sector operates within increasing financial and structural pressures and uncertainties.

 "The Centre for Comedy Studies Research is delighted to lead the UK Live Comedy Sector Survey. Our findings illustrate the significant economic, social and cultural contributions made by the UK live comedy sector and celebrate the important functions of grassroots live comedy for the live comedy sector. Survey data also provides insights into the issues and challenges faced by the sector around precarity wage stagnation, geographical variations and identity inequalities and inequities". 

Sharon Lockyer, co-author of the report and Director of the Centre for Comedy Studies Research

The 2025 finding reveal:

  • Average annual earnings fell from £26,778 to £21,143
  • The average number of weekly gigs dropped from 3.2 to 2.5
  • 74% of comedians now need additional income outside live comedy (up from 62%)
  • A decline in higher ticket-sale brackets among promoters
  • Continued concerns around precarity, wage stagnation, geographical inequities, and inequities linked to protected characteristics

The 2024 and 2025 reports demonstrate both the significant value of grassroots live comedy and the urgent need for structural support.

Live Comedy Sector Survey Report 2025

2025 Report

Read the full report
Live Comedy sector survey report cover

2024 Report

Read the full report

 

From Research to Policy Engagement

Politicians, ministers, policymakers, arts and cultural organisations, comedians, journalists and communities have engaged with the UK Live Comedy Sector Survey Reports.

The UK Live Comedy Sector surveys have informed direct engagement with policymakers.

Following advocacy by the Live Comedy Association, a special Culture, Media and Sport Committee evidence session was held in parliament in April 2025 to discuss the state of the live comedy sector, entitled ‘State of Play: Live Comedy’. The evidence session examined the economic, cultural and social impact of UK live comedy and expert evidence was given by Sharon Lockyer, other key figures in UK live comedy, including Geoff Rowe (Live Comedy Association), Jessica Toomey (Managing Director at Frog and Bucket), and comedians.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee still 700x700

Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Watch the full hearing
Matt Forde's Political Party Logo

Matt Forde's Political Party

Listen to Sharon Lockyer talk to Matt Forde about the 2024 report on Matt Forde’s Political Party podcast

The parliamentary evidence session resulted in a formal letter sent to the Arts Minister from the Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in August 2025 outlining recommendations for government recognition and support for UK live comedy. This included calling for the formal recognition of live comedy as a distinct art form, which was one of the recommendations made in the UK Live Comedy Sector Survey Report 2024.

The Live Comedy Association continues to work with the Centre for Comedy Studies Research and other partners to lobby the Government to ensure the recommendations made in the letter to the Arts Minister are progressed.

This demonstrates the impact of the Centre for Comedy Studies Research’s research, moving beyond publication to support advocacy, public debate, and policy development.

Sector Response: The Live Comedy Venue Consortium 

In response to the UK Live Comedy Sector Report 2024 findings, the Live Comedy Association launched a new Live Comedy Venue Consortium in February 2026 to support the Stand Up and Give Fund that was established in 2025 to financially sustain grassroots live comedy.

The consortium raises funds to help deliver the report’s recommendations and strengthen sector resilience.

We know we need more resources to address some of the challenges our sector faces and also to support others who are doing amazing work to build our community and grow impact. The Venue Consortium is so important to this and is our next step to raise money to move things forwards"

Jessica Toomey

Take Part in the Survey 

The UK Live Comedy Sector Survey is conducted annually in later summer/early Autumn. When open, we invite comedians, promoters, venue managers, agents, and others working in UK live comedy to share their experiences.

Your participation helps:

  • Strengthen the evidence base for the sector
  • Inform discussions with the government and policymakers
  • Support funding and sustainability initiatives
  • Ensure regional and demographic diversity is represented

Find out more and contribute when the 2026 survey is open here: https://comedysurvey.co.uk/

All responses are anonymous and confidential, and the research is conducted in accordance with Brunel University London’s ethical approval procedures.