Brits are swapping candlelit dinners for comedy shows, with 1 in 5 now choosing laughter-filled date nights.
Forget fancy dinners or romantic walks, these days, Brits prefer to laugh together. According to our new research nearly one in five Brits are choosing to take their date to a live comedy show, a huge shift from only 2% in 2014 (from Ticketmaster’s previous Comedy State of Play).
Released just in time for International Singles’ Day (11th November), the survey of 2,000 U.K. adults shows that younger people especially are choosing live comedy shows rather than more traditional dating experiences.
Comedy events in the U.K. have shot up by 34% over the past decade, making way for a thriving scene that’s creating more demand for new comedians. The top five big-name acts now make up just 35% of ticket sales, down from 50% in 2014. Talent is expanding, with nearly 100 female comedian headliners having taken to the stage this year, a five-fold increase from 2019.
Regional Behaviours & Preferences
Comedy venues are becoming a place for socialising and bonding through the natural high of laughter – with a quarter of audience members even skipping the booze to focus on the fun. Almost half look forward to crowd interactions, showing it’s not just about the jokes.
Despite a clear nationwide love of live comedy, acceptable behaviours and genre preferences differ significantly across regions:
- Welsh like regional humour the most (26%), followed by the Scots (24%; while 87% of Southerners do not enjoy this genre.
- Dirty jokes are winners in Scotland (30%).
- Southwest attendees (41%) are the most likely to laugh until they cry·
- Comedy lovers in the Northeast (25%) are the ones laughing at inappropriate moments.
- Fans across the Northwest are causing the most disruptions, with 15% heckling during a performance and 11% stage crashing.
- Nearly half of rural residents enjoy comedy about life’s absurdities, whilst only a third of city dwellers share this passion.
Social Media Drives Comedy Growth
Social media is a major force behind the UK comedy boom. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are helping fans discover new comedians and book tickets quickly. In 2024, 64% of fans reported booking shows after finding a comedian online, compared to just 8% in 2014.
But there’s a catch – nearly a third of Gen Zers admit they wouldn’t pay to see a comedian live without first watching them on TikTok, highlighting the importance of comedians establishing both an online and live presence.
For comedy promoters, festivals, and venues: keep an eye out for upcoming insights on how we can integrate these results into your comedy strategy.
