SPONSOR
The ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards are all sponsored by artists - this year's sponsors (and all back for a second year running) include Rhod Gilbert, Elf Lyons, TakeoverRadio 106.9FM, and James Corden who last year donated £10,000.
James Corden says, 'I'm honoured to support the brilliant ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards again. Congratulations to all of the winners.'
This isn't the end of the sponsorship announcements for this year, and there's still time for you to get in touch if you would like to support. Please contact us!
In 2026 the 5 Awards and their sponsors 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!'
James Corden says, 'I'm honoured to support the brilliant ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards again. Congratulations to all of the winners.'
This isn't the end of the sponsorship announcements for this year, and there's still time for you to get in touch if you would like to support. Please contact us!
In 2026 the 5 Awards and their sponsors 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!'
The first three years of the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards were a huge hit generating scores of press articles and BBC News Coverage. Following the enormous success of the inaugural year in 2023, when a huge amount of media was generated (including coverage on BBC News), we were delighted to be back for a 2nd year with our sponsors Jones Bootmaker. And in 2025 the Awards were sponsored by artists and artistic organisations including James Corden, Rhod Gilbert, Elf Lyons, Patrick Monahan, Nathan Cassidy, Sarah Bowles and Takeover Radio 106.9FM. All sponsorship money goes directly to the winners of the awards - the awards are produced and judged by volunteers so 100% of the sponsorship goes directly to supporting comedians.
For more please contact us
For more please contact us
Previous years...
Photos and press from the Press Launch May 2024...
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21.08.24 - The Scotsman - ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2024 shortlists: Nominees, prize money and when the winner will be announced
21.08.24 - Chortle - ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards announces short-lists
16.08.24 - British Comedy Guide - Long-lists announced
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16.08.24 - Chortle - Long-lists announced
30.07.24 - Beyond The Joke
08.05.24 - Chortle - Ish Awards lands new sponsor
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Photos from the 2024 ceremony...
including presenters Milton Jones and Bobby Davro!
including presenters Milton Jones and Bobby Davro!
2023...
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The Awards Ceremony covered by BBC News 26.08.23
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Chortle 29.06.23
Beyond The Joke 29.06.23
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British Comedy Guide 29.06.23
British Comedy Guide 14.08.23
WestEndTheatre.com announce short-list 21.08.23
Beyond The Joke 14.08.23
British Comedy Guide 26.08.23
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Big Belly Comedy 29.06.23
Chortle 14.08.23
Entertainment Now announces winners 26.08.23
Awards listed on the official website for the Edinburgh Fringe edfringe.com
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More details for any potential sponsor...
Overview:
The ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards (wikipedia), are presented to the comedy shows deemed to have been the best at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Established in 2023, awards are given to Best Show, Best Newcomer, Best Joke, Best Tech and a Panel Prize and are judged by a Panel of Judges on a voluntary basis who see all eligible comedy shows.
Sponsorship Levels:
Ideally we are looking for over £20,000 to fund the 5 awards for Edinburgh Fringe 2026.
Benefits:
The awards are mainly sponsored by artists. But we will take sponsorship from organisations as well that support the arts. The benefits any sponsor will receive include your logo on this website, your name on all press releases, and the awards can become known as The (YOUR BAND) ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Your logo can also be incorporated into the logo for the awards. We will also give you or your representatives first access to voting results, ceremony tickets, and an opportunity to present an award at the ceremony.
Brand Exposure:
Any sponsors’ logos will be prominently displayed on this website and on all marketing materials before, during, and after the Edinburgh Fringe. There will be multiple large posters around Edinburgh. Any sponsorship will be for a period of maximum 1 year including the month of August. Any new sponsor would need to be agreed by the end of May (see deadlines and timeline), to give us time for Brand awareness before the Edinburgh Fringe in August.
Audience Reach:
The Edinburgh Fringe is of the world's largest ticketed events with 2,445,609 tickets issued across the month of August 2023. 33% were Edinburgh locals, accounting for 800,000 of the tickets issued. Beyond locals, 10% of all attendees were from overseas, emphasising the importance of the festival to international audiences. Comedy online press articles receive millions of views from their websites alone - Chortle has over 1 million page views during August.
ROI:
The Return on Investment potential is great in 2026. In 2023, with only a 2 month lead into the Edinburgh Fringe and from a standing start (as 2023 was our first year) we gathered press articles from all of the industry's main comedy press and these were consistently displayed before and during the Fringe and featured to their thousands of social media followers. Taking the three main comedy websites alone, we had features before the Fringe announcing the inception of the awards, at long and short list stages, and when winners were announced, so for example Chortle featured these 4 articles. Advertising on Chortle in 2023 for the full six weeks: July 17 to August 28 was £1050, and this was just for one square ad with 25% impressions, so of course an ad always visible is worth 4x that at £4020. Extrapolate that over similar articles in The British Comedy Guide and Beyond The Joke along with social media posts and you have already returned on your Investment. So that is before you factor in any other press, and in 2024 and 2025 an Awards with sponsorship and from prominent artists like James Corden, we received even more press, with features in The Scotsman.
The winners (and indeed short listed acts) will also publicise the awards in press for perpetuity. The winners of these awards go on national and International tours and your brand will be associated with the awards and listed on all their listings, Julia Masli here advertising her Melbourne shows. In addition to that, the 2023 ceremony was covered by BBC News, and we will push for TV coverage every year. We will be doing showcases at the Fringe and the ceremony at what is regarded as one of the best venues at the Festival, the Counting House Ballroom, so your name will be displayed on advertising for these showcases online, in the press and throughout Edinburgh. All in all, it's incredible value for money, as well of course supporting the artists and being associated with an Awards that was viewed universally 2023-2025 as being of great support to the artistic community.
Exclusive Opportunities:
We can organise promotional content in the Awards Ceremony held at the end of August. In 2023, the ceremony was covered by BBC News and a host of press outlets including The British Comedy Guide and Comedy Industry Bible Chortle.
Hospitality and Tickets:
Sponsors will receive complimentary tickets for shows that they would like to see at the Fringe (up to 10 tickets), access to VIP bars and meet-and-greet sessions with the short-listed and winning comedians.
Social Media and Online Presence:
Sponsors names and logos will feature on all social media platforms, email newsletters, and the event’s official website, including dedicated sponsor profiles.
Press and Media Exposure:
Sponsors will be integrated into press releases, media coverage, and interviews related to the event.
Metrics:
We will report back by October following sponsorship on the success of the partnership measured by the number of times your company is named all media.
Customization:
Sponsorship packages can be customized to meet sponsors’ specific marketing objectives and needs, and we are open to all suggestions on how we can tailor the awards to your requirements.
Contact Information:
Please contact head producer Sarah Bowles [email protected]
Testimonials and Success Stories:
There is a plethora of positive outcomes and testimonials from comedians who were short and long-listed last year, and the industry buzz around the awards in its first 3 years was second to none. Again, please look at Best Show Winner Paul Foot's interview on BBC News after the 2023 ceremony.
Deadline and Timeline:
We ideally need to have everything in place by June at the latest, to give us several weeks to build awareness of the sponsorship and include your brand on all marketing materials for the Edinburgh Fringe in August.
Terms and Conditions:
Payment would need to be made on agreement and at least one month before the Edinburgh Fringe, so by end of June.
Overview:
The ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards (wikipedia), are presented to the comedy shows deemed to have been the best at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Established in 2023, awards are given to Best Show, Best Newcomer, Best Joke, Best Tech and a Panel Prize and are judged by a Panel of Judges on a voluntary basis who see all eligible comedy shows.
Sponsorship Levels:
Ideally we are looking for over £20,000 to fund the 5 awards for Edinburgh Fringe 2026.
Benefits:
The awards are mainly sponsored by artists. But we will take sponsorship from organisations as well that support the arts. The benefits any sponsor will receive include your logo on this website, your name on all press releases, and the awards can become known as The (YOUR BAND) ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Your logo can also be incorporated into the logo for the awards. We will also give you or your representatives first access to voting results, ceremony tickets, and an opportunity to present an award at the ceremony.
Brand Exposure:
Any sponsors’ logos will be prominently displayed on this website and on all marketing materials before, during, and after the Edinburgh Fringe. There will be multiple large posters around Edinburgh. Any sponsorship will be for a period of maximum 1 year including the month of August. Any new sponsor would need to be agreed by the end of May (see deadlines and timeline), to give us time for Brand awareness before the Edinburgh Fringe in August.
Audience Reach:
The Edinburgh Fringe is of the world's largest ticketed events with 2,445,609 tickets issued across the month of August 2023. 33% were Edinburgh locals, accounting for 800,000 of the tickets issued. Beyond locals, 10% of all attendees were from overseas, emphasising the importance of the festival to international audiences. Comedy online press articles receive millions of views from their websites alone - Chortle has over 1 million page views during August.
ROI:
The Return on Investment potential is great in 2026. In 2023, with only a 2 month lead into the Edinburgh Fringe and from a standing start (as 2023 was our first year) we gathered press articles from all of the industry's main comedy press and these were consistently displayed before and during the Fringe and featured to their thousands of social media followers. Taking the three main comedy websites alone, we had features before the Fringe announcing the inception of the awards, at long and short list stages, and when winners were announced, so for example Chortle featured these 4 articles. Advertising on Chortle in 2023 for the full six weeks: July 17 to August 28 was £1050, and this was just for one square ad with 25% impressions, so of course an ad always visible is worth 4x that at £4020. Extrapolate that over similar articles in The British Comedy Guide and Beyond The Joke along with social media posts and you have already returned on your Investment. So that is before you factor in any other press, and in 2024 and 2025 an Awards with sponsorship and from prominent artists like James Corden, we received even more press, with features in The Scotsman.
The winners (and indeed short listed acts) will also publicise the awards in press for perpetuity. The winners of these awards go on national and International tours and your brand will be associated with the awards and listed on all their listings, Julia Masli here advertising her Melbourne shows. In addition to that, the 2023 ceremony was covered by BBC News, and we will push for TV coverage every year. We will be doing showcases at the Fringe and the ceremony at what is regarded as one of the best venues at the Festival, the Counting House Ballroom, so your name will be displayed on advertising for these showcases online, in the press and throughout Edinburgh. All in all, it's incredible value for money, as well of course supporting the artists and being associated with an Awards that was viewed universally 2023-2025 as being of great support to the artistic community.
Exclusive Opportunities:
We can organise promotional content in the Awards Ceremony held at the end of August. In 2023, the ceremony was covered by BBC News and a host of press outlets including The British Comedy Guide and Comedy Industry Bible Chortle.
Hospitality and Tickets:
Sponsors will receive complimentary tickets for shows that they would like to see at the Fringe (up to 10 tickets), access to VIP bars and meet-and-greet sessions with the short-listed and winning comedians.
Social Media and Online Presence:
Sponsors names and logos will feature on all social media platforms, email newsletters, and the event’s official website, including dedicated sponsor profiles.
Press and Media Exposure:
Sponsors will be integrated into press releases, media coverage, and interviews related to the event.
Metrics:
We will report back by October following sponsorship on the success of the partnership measured by the number of times your company is named all media.
Customization:
Sponsorship packages can be customized to meet sponsors’ specific marketing objectives and needs, and we are open to all suggestions on how we can tailor the awards to your requirements.
Contact Information:
Please contact head producer Sarah Bowles [email protected]
Testimonials and Success Stories:
There is a plethora of positive outcomes and testimonials from comedians who were short and long-listed last year, and the industry buzz around the awards in its first 3 years was second to none. Again, please look at Best Show Winner Paul Foot's interview on BBC News after the 2023 ceremony.
Deadline and Timeline:
We ideally need to have everything in place by June at the latest, to give us several weeks to build awareness of the sponsorship and include your brand on all marketing materials for the Edinburgh Fringe in August.
Terms and Conditions:
Payment would need to be made on agreement and at least one month before the Edinburgh Fringe, so by end of June.
