World Series of Comedy

The World Series of Comedy (WSOC) is a year-long stand-up comedy contest that takes place at various venues around North America throughout the year. Now in its 15th year, over 500 comics register annually for the chance to participate in a number of “Satellite” events at comedy clubs between February and July. The 101 best of these comics participate in The Main Event which takes place every September and will determine the champion for the year.

Not only do comics perform in a series of live stand-up shows to determine the winner of the contest, but The Main Event also functions as a week-long seminar and networking event for club owners, managers, agents and comics. The focus of the festival is on career development for the comics. The prizes offered include paid work at various comedy clubs throughout North America, a recording contract with WSOC Records and the possibility of professional representation from managers.

The WSOC has been described as a contest, a festival, a networking conference and a job fair all wrapped into one. Comedy club owners and comedy bookers serve as the judges of the contests, instructors in classes and panellists in discussions. Additionally, there are social events that allow for the performers and industry members to interact in a relaxed setting which helps create a comfortable environment for networking.

Our founder and CEO, Joe Lowers, saw a gap in the comedy industry while touring the country as national headliner in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Many of the performers he shared the stage with on the road found it difficult to get a footing outside of their own home cities. After setting up a residency and running his own showroom in Las Vegas, he decided to create an event with the goal of connecting comedians around the country with decision makers in the comedy industry.

The World Series of Comedy is dedicated to creating the best environment possible for exposing high calibre stand-up comedians to comedy industry insiders with the goal to ultimately increase employment opportunities for the comedians.