What is Late Comedy Showdown?
Whether you're a comedy enthusiast ready to showcase your skills on stage or a fan eager for a night of non-stop laughter, this is your chance to experience the best in anime-inspired humor. Late Comedy Showdown is an 18+ event, so be sure to get your 18+ wristband at Info Services before attending—this applies to both audience and participants.
Hours of Operation
Preliminary Round
Location : Room 411
Date: Thursday, July 2
Time : 10:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Finals
Location: Petree Hall
Date: Saturday, July 4
Time: 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
How to Participate
1. Take the stage on Thursday, July 2 and compete in the Preliminary Round of Late Comedy Showdown!
Sign-ups are a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early for your chance to grab the mic and put those shower punchlines to work. Contestants will perform in front of a live panel of judges for the opportunity to advance to the next round.
2. Prepare your acts!
- Preliminary Round (July 2): Perform a 2-minute set before a panel of judges. Seven comedians will be chosen to advance to the next round.
- Second Round (July 4): The selected finalists will return to perform a 5-minute set for the judges. After all performances and a brief intermission, the judges will choose the top two comedians to move to the final round.
- Final Round (July 4): The finalists will each perform a 5-minute set to compete for the championship title. Following the performances, the judges will deliberate and crown the champion of Late Comedy Showdown for Anime Expo 2026.
AX 2026 Late Comedy Showdown Judges
Alice Brenner
Alice Brenner is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor based in Los Angeles. She is the 3rd-time host of the stand-up comedy competition at Anime Expo and a massive weeb. As a writer, she has performed and created sketches at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), Dynasty Typewriter, and current live show "Sammy Tonite!". Her play, Alice Brenner Finds her Type, can be seen at UCB.
Lisa Wallen
Lisa Wallen is an LA-based (but Seattle native) stand-up comedian, Twitch Partner, and all-around professional nerd who’s incredibly online everywhere. She’s made quite a viral name for herself in nerdy spaces with her silly but incredibly relatable gaming stories, which has led to really cool gigs with SEGA, Bandai Namco, Netflix, IGN, Kinda Funny, and headliner shows in some pretty sweet places across the US and Japan
K. Cheng
K. Cheng is a standup comedian that’s performed at cons, comic book shops, arcades, and all the realms where nerds assemble. Catch K. Cheng being judgy, as he returns to the judges panel at the AX Late Night Comedy Showdown.
