UK Live Comedy Survey

The UK Live Comedy Sector Survey 2025 is the second annual study of grassroots live comedy in the UK, mapping the economic, social and cultural impact of the sector - and the pressures facing the comedians, promoters, venues and agents who sustain it. Published on 4 Feb 2026, the report was produced by the Live Comedy Association (LCA) in partnership with the Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) and British Comedy Guide (BCG).

DOWNLOAD THE FULL 2025 SURVEY REPORT HERE

About the survey

The survey gathers responses from across the live comedy industry (including comedians, promoters, venue managers and agents) to build a detailed picture of how the grassroots sector is working year on year. As the second report in an annual series, it provides reliable, independent data on the live comedy ecosystem and tracks how conditions are changing for the people who work in it.

Key findings

The 2025 findings show a sector under increasing financial strain compared with the previous year:

  • Earnings have fallen. Average wages dropped to £21,143 in 2025, down from £26,778 the year before.

  • Comedians are gigging less. The average number of gigs fell from 3.2 per week to 2.5 per week.

  • More performers need outside income. The share of comedians who say they need to generate additional income to supplement their careers rose from 62% to 74%.

  • Ticket sales dipped slightly. 31% of promoters sold between 71–90% of their tickets, down from 45% in 2024.

  • Ticket prices stayed largely flat. 33% of tickets were priced between £5 and £12, broadly in line with the 31% recorded in 2024.

What the findings mean

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

"The Centre for Comedy Studies Research 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."

Methodology

The UK Live Comedy Sector Survey 2025 was led by the Centre for Comedy Studies Research and administered by Brunel University of London. Ethical approval to conduct the survey was granted by the College of Arts, Law and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee at Brunel University of London.

Press

Original press release available here.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Karma Symington / karma.symington@multitudemedia.co.uk