early bird tickets now on sale!
(ends 5pm may 18)
NEXT GEN COMEDY 2026
Next Gen Comedy returns for 2026 — a live competition where you vote for WA’s best new comedian.
Presented by the City of Stirling in partnership with WA Comedy, this is your chance to experience rising WA talent before they break through — in a high-energy night of laughs, surprises, and unpredictable moments.
No judges. No panels. The audience decides.
Heats June 13, 20 and the Grand Final on June 27
Comedians are competing for a share of $2,250 in prize money — and the title of WA’s Best New Comedian.
” Winning Next Gen in 2025 really gave me the confidence to follow my dreams. I would encourage anyone, any age or gender to have a go.”
– NOLA BLISS (2025 winner)
Previous winners including Suns of Fred, Joe White, Ciaran Lyons and Ian Burke have gone on to establish themselves on the WA and national comedy circuit — making Next Gen Comedy a genuine launching pad for new talent.
How It Works
- Every show is hosted by a professional comedian
- Each heat features a lineup of 8-10 emerging WA comedians
- Each performer has 5 minutes to make you laugh and win your vote
- The top 2 acts from each heat advance to the Grand Final
- Wildcard spots may be awarded to standout performers
- In the Grand Final, you choose WA’s Best New Comedian. Cash prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Show Dates & Venues
Next Gen Comedy is held exclusively within the City of Stirling at community focused venues.
All venues are fully licensed with basic bar offering. Non alcohol options also available.
- Heat 1
- Sat June 13
- 6.30pm - 8.00pm
- Lachlan Skinner, Nic Meehan, Rex Medhurst, Emma Wald, Daniel Murtagh. Darren Dobbin, Damien Batchelor, Peter Scott, George Evans
- Heat 2
- Sat June 13
- 8.30pm - 10.00pm
- Alex Fleay, James Callinan, Michal Domanski, Braydon Ricetti, Aaron Smyth, Ant Meczes, Beverly Mitchell, Tahlia Briggs, Jack Smith
- Heat 3
- Sat June 20
- 6.30pm - 8.00pm
- Hosted by Mickey J and featuring: Jared Herft, Adam Hymers, Simon Lee, Nikolai Blazeski, Chris Sheilds, Idmah Lia, Leo Abbs, Micah Kickett
- Heat 4
- Sat June 20
- 8.30pm - 10.00pm
- Hosted by Mickey J and featuring: Darcy Kavanagh, Martin Vogt, Brad Hayden, Hayden Twistleton, Kristine Mallozzi, Felix Mavro, Yonathan Tjandra, Brett Henderson
- Grand Final
- Sat June 27
- 7.00pm - 9.00pm
- Contestants announced after each heat
Doors for all heats is 30 minutes before show time.
The Grand Final festivities start from 6pm with a Pop-up bar and food vendors
