The Live Comedy Association (LCA), in partnership with the Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) and British Comedy Guide (BCG), has released the findings of the UK Live Comedy Sector Survey 2025.  This report, published today at an event in Leicester, follows the first survey report published in 2025 and reveals the significant economic, social, and cultural impact of grassroots live comedy across the UK.  The report also highlights the pressing challenges faced by the sector and reinforces the call for live comedy to be recognised and supported by the UK Government.

The full report can be downloaded from the LCA website www.livecomedyassociation.co.uk

The LCA has also announced the launch of a new Iive comedy venue consortium who will be supporting and raising money for the Stand Up And Give Fund, set up in 2025 to financially support grassroots live comedy.  The consortium members are Komedia (Brighton & Bath), The Stand (Glasgow, Edinburgh & Newcastle), The Glee Club (Birmingham, Cardiff, Nottingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Oxford), The Bill Murray (London), The Frog & Bucket (Manchester), Leicester Square Theatre (London), The Museum of Comedy (London), Soho Theatre (London) and Soho Theatre Walthamstow (London). 

Each of these clubs and venues are founding members of the consortium and have agreed to raise money for Stand Up And Give Fund.  It is hoped more clubs and venues will join the consortium to give back, support the grassroots sector across the UK and enable some of the reports recommendations to be delivered.

The survey gathered responses from industry professionals including comedians, promoters, venue managers and agents, and provides a detailed analysis of the live comedy ecosystem. Key findings indicate that people working in live comedy are earning less this year, when compared to last year.  Average wages in 2025 were £21,143 compared to £26,778 and the average number of gigs has dropped from 3.2/week to 2.5/week.  Comedians who need to work outside of live comedy is increasing, with 62% to 74% stating they need to generate additional income to supplement their careers.  There is a slight reduction in ticket sales, with 31% of promoters selling between 71-90% of tickets, compared with 45% in 2024.  Ticket prices have remained relatively stagnant, with 33% stating tickets are priced between £5 - £12, compared with 31% in 2024.

Jessica Toomey co-Chair of the LCA, said “we are delighted to be able to publish this second annual report showing the size and impact of the grassroots live comedy sector.  It gives us, and our partners, reliable independent data about the work which goes on across the UK every week of the year, which feeds into the arena stars, and big name comedians of the future.  The report gives us more information to continue working with governments to provide evidence about the support our sector needs. 

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 our impact.  The venue consortium is so important to this and is our next step to raise money to move things forwards.  We are so grateful to the founding members of the consortium who have agreed to join us in our campaign and look forward to others joining. 

We also must say a huge thank you to our colleagues at the CCSR for leading on the survey, and the report we have published today.”

Dr Sharon Lockyer, co-author of the report and Director of the Centre for Comedy Studies Research said “The Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) is delighted to have led the UK Live Comedy Sector Survey in 2025. The findings reveal the important economic, social and cultural contributions made by UK live comedy but also highlight, again, the issues and challenges that the sector faces around precarity, wage stagnation, geographical inequities and inequities related to protected characteristics. We are looking forward to using the report to support the sustainability and development of the UK live comedy sector.”

Over the last 12 months the LCA have made significant progress in terms of raising the profile of the grassroots live comedy sector to governments and echoing the work the grassroots live music sector has done to secure support for live music. The LCA lobbied DCMS 12 months ago which resulted in a special evidence session in Parliament to discuss the live comedy sector with politicians.  This led to a letter being sent to the Arts Minister with a series of recommendations about what support is needed.  The LCA is currently working with government to follow these recommendations up and ensure they are acted upon.  Just last week the LCA secured confirmation from government that live comedy venues will be eligible for financial support from a new business rates package, after it was thought it would only apply to live music venues.

The LCA is producing Live Comedy Day on 1st April 2026, a national celebration of grassroots live comedy.  Further information is available from www.livecomedyday.co.uk

The UK Live Comedy Sector Survey was administered by Brunel University of London and ethical approval to conduct the survey was received from the College of Arts, Law and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee at Brunel University of London. 

Read the full findings of the UK Live Comedy Sector Survey here www.livecomedyassociation.co.uk