Comedy Arena — a competition for comedians with a prize of up to 50 million soums launched in Tashkent
Tashkent, 6 November 2026. A press conference was held at Sahna Stand Up Club to announce the launch of Comedy Arena, a new competitive show for comedians. The project is being implemented by the creative association Xanda with the support of Uztelecom. Anyone over 18 can participate. The winner of each episode will receive 5 million soums, and the contestant who wins five episodes will receive a super prize of 50 million.
A stage for all humor genres
Comedy Arena is conceived as the main competitive platform for comedians in Uzbekistan. There are no genre restrictions: participants can take the stage with stand-up, songs, sketches, pantomime, or any other format. Each act is allocated between 3 and 8 minutes.
A mandatory condition for participation is new material. The act must not repeat humorous performances that have already been performed before.
Both unknown newcomers and stars can take the stage—reputation does not provide any advantages here. The main thing is to make the judges and the audience laugh. The rule is simple: if it’s funny, you stay; if not, you leave. The judges will not interrupt an interesting performance, and participants can even engage in a playful "exchange" with them.
Participants can perform solo or in a team of up to four people. Applications are submitted for the entire team at once, and the core of the team cannot be changed.
How to get on the show
Applications are accepted via the project’s Telegram bot @Comedyarenabot. After registration, participants are assigned a time to come to Sahna and perform their act. Those who pass the audition work with mentors and judges, after which up to eight of the best participants are selected for filming an episode.
Prizes and judges
Each episode determines one winner, who receives 5 million soums. Each round is held on equal terms, and victories do not expire even after a defeat. After five wins, a participant will receive the super prize of 50 million soums.
Performances are evaluated by a jury of three people. The chairman is the recognized master of words and a legend of the genre, Zokir Ochildiev. The other two judges will be invited from among well-known figures. The audience in the hall will also be able to participate in the voting.
