Sir Billy Connolly award applications open for Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2026

Glasgow International Comedy Festival has opened applications for its prestigious Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award with acts, venues and staff in 2026's festival encouraged to apply now.

Article Source: Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Last Updated: 10 November 2025 14:52

Image Credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Now in its fourth year, the award is supported by Sir Billy Connolly and his family, with 2025’s winner Rosco McClelland receiving a video message from the Big Yin himself. The Glaswegian comic became the third ever winner, joining Susie McCabe (2024) and Janey Godley (2023), with 2026’s winner set to be revealed on GICF’s final day at the Comedy Gala on Sunday 29th March 2026.

The award celebrates the city itself as well as the Glaswegian warmth, resilience and humour which is renowned around the world and is so entwined with the Big Yin himself. Winners receive a glass trophy with one of the Big Yin’s famous self-portraits engraved on it.

Any individual, group, venue staff or collective taking part in GICF now has over two months to either nominate someone or submit their own application. Submissions close 5pm 14th January 2026.

An independent panel of judges from across the creative industries including comedians, actors, journalists and more, choose a shortlist from all applications, based on who most personifies the Spirit of Glasgow. As last year’s winner, Rosco McClelland joins this year’s judging panel. The judges make a recommendation to Sir Billy Connolly, who will ultimately decide the winner of the award in his name.

Speaking about the award’s inception in 2023, Sir Billy Connolly said: “Glasgow defies description. Many great men and women have tried to describe its spirit and failed miserably. What do you say about a town that dances, sings, plays and jokes differently from everybody else? The winner of this Award will have to be a nutter like me…”

Introduced in 2023, and the only award GICF gives out, the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award examines criteria which both Glasgow and Sir Billy Connolly represent including:

1. Resilient - warm but tough
2. Open - accessible for all
3. Unapologetic - proud and unpretentious; curious and challenging; mould-breaking
4. Gallus - bold and brave; self-starting
5. Funny - above all else, an ability to make people laugh

Registered participants of the 2026 festival can apply online at www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com.

The award recognises a person or group of people, not a show, meaning any GICF performers, venue staff, promoters or anyone otherwise involved in the festival can apply or nominate. Applicants do not have to be from Glasgow or live in Glasgow, but instead must embody the Spirit of Glasgow as defined by the award criteria.

Susie McCabe presented Rosco McClelland with the award in 2025, followed by a personalised video message from Sir Billy Connolly. Onstage, Rosco said: “To join the list of people who have won, Janey and Susie, is incredible. To know that the Big Yin has seen me do my silly wee bits of stand up is insane, that’s the real prize in this. Just to hear him say my name - I can’t believe this, he’s the best to ever do it.”

Festival Director Krista MacDonald said: “The Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award embodies everything that makes both this city and its comedy so special: boldness, warmth, and a wicked sense of humour. As we prepare to present the award for the fourth time in 2026, it’s become a cherished highlight of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, celebrating those who carry the same fearless creativity and generous spirit that Sir Billy has shared with the world. It’s a true privilege for the festival to work with Sir Billy to honour those who reflect the heart and humour of Glasgow itself.”

Karen Koren, of GICF corporate director GB Festivals Ltd said: “We're absolutely delighted to be working with Sir Billy again on this award in his honour - it’s been such a welcome addition to the Comedy Festival’s annual programme and the past three winners have been incredibly worthy and we're sure 2026’s will be no exception. We can’t wait to celebrate Sir Billy and the winner at the GICF’s Comedy Gala on the last day of the Festival.”

Scotland’s largest dedicated comedy festival, GICF will celebrate Glasgow as ‘the funniest city in the world’ from 11th - 29th March 2026 in venues across the city, welcoming top comics and rising stars. Acts already announced for next year include Daniel Sloss, Sue Perkins, Harry Enfield, Susie McCabe, Alan Davies, Marc Jennings, Judi Love and many more.

Acts and venues can register to be a part of GICF now via www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com with brochure registrations open until 21st November.

Venues hosting GICF events in 2026 include: The King’s Theatre, Oran Mor, The Stand Comedy Club, SEC Armadillo, Citizens Theatre, The Old Hairdressers, Old Fruitmarket and more.

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Sir Billy Connolly award applications open for Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2026

Glasgow International Comedy Festival has opened applications for its prestigious Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award with acts, venues and staff in 2026's festival encouraged to apply now.

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