UK comedy scene surges, with one in five Brits choosing comedy

• Ticketmaster ‘State of Comedy’ report reveals comedy date nights have increased eightfold in the past decade
• The number of comedy events reaches a record high, with nearly a hundred female protagonists Take the stage this year
• The influence of social media and the increased demand for shared experiences are the main reasons for the rapid growth

Ticketmaster, the global market leader in live event ticketing, has released new research revealing how laughter is changing the dating scene. Nearly one in five Brits (18%) choose to date a live comedy show, a huge shift since 2014, when Ticketmaster’s State of Comedy Shows report found that only 2% of audiences would consider it.

On International Double Eleven (11^th In November), a survey of 2,000 British adults revealed that younger generations are choosing live comedy shows over more traditional dating experiences. Nearly half of people under 35 say memorable moments and shared experiences are their top priority.

The rise of comedy as a popular dating option has boosted the UK comedy scene, with the number of comedy events set to reach an all-time high in 2024. This booming environment is creating more demand to see up-and-coming comedians, with the top 5 comedians currently accounting for just 35% of box office revenue, compared to 50% in 2014. As a result, the talent has become even more diverse, with 98 female comedy stars taking to the stage this year. This year, there were five times more than in 2019, when there were only 20.

Comedy inspires social connections

Comedy venues are becoming places to socialize and connect through natural laughter – with a quarter of audiences choosing not to drink during a show. Nearly half (49%) are looking forward to crowd interaction, showing a desire to create deeper connections with performers.

Despite a clear nationwide love for live comedy, there are significant differences in acceptable behavior and genre preferences across regions—

• Regional humor resonates best with Scots (24%), followed by Welsh (26%); however, 87% of southerners dislike this genre
• In Scotland, dirty jokes are a winner (30%), but far less popular among comedy lovers in Greater London (20%)
• Showgoers in the South West (41%) are most likely to laugh and cry during a show
• Comedy lovers in the Northeast (25%) are those who laugh at inappropriate moments
• Fans in the North West caused the most disruption, with 15 per cent heckling during performances and 11 per cent falling on stage

Social media drives comedy

Social media has given a huge boost to the dynamic comedy scene. Across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, fans of all ages are quick to book live shows (64%) after discovering their new favorite comedian online. This trend has increased significantly over the past decade, with only 8% doing so in 2014. The power of social media has also had a negative impact, with nearly a third of Gen Z admitting they wouldn’t pay to watch a comedian live stream if they hadn’t seen them on TikTok first. This highlights the importance of comedians building a presence online and in real life.

Andrew Parsons, managing director of Ticketmaster UK, said:

“We’re delighted to see comedy thriving in the UK and we know that social media and the joy of live experiences are driving much of comedy’s growth. The industry is really booming – more than ever – and Watching live comedy can really be considered a hot ticket in the dating scene right now.

“It’s great to be documenting the rise of female headliners over the past decade, and with more comedy nights out there than ever, it’s great to see more diverse voices and perspectives taking center stage.”

For comedy promoters, festivals and venues: keep an eye out for Ticketmaster’s upcoming insights on how to integrate these results into your comedy strategy. Want to improve your comedy strategy? Get in touch here today.

For fans craving a good laugh, check out Ticketmaster’s comedy guide.

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