The 2026 Funniest Person in the Midwest Competition Kicks Off This Summer!
200+ aspiring comics will throw their hats in the ring to compete for the title of Funniest Person in the Midwest and take home the $3,500 prize!
This year, we are combining St. Louis' Funniest Person + Indy's Funniest Person contests into one larger contest, and expanding to include the entire Midwest. Same contest, just bigger!
REGISTRATION FEE:
On Mobile? Scroll towards bottom or CLICK HERE for registration form
Registration Info:
Submissions will be open until Friday, May 1st at 11:59 PM
There is a $25 Registration Fee
Your form must be completed in full and your entry fee paid in order to participate in the 2026 Funniest Person in the Midwest Contest.
Failure to complete either task by May 1st will result in automatic omission and disqualification from the competition.
Rules and Regulations:
Contestants must be from a Midwestern state: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin.
Contestants must provide an address within these states.
Contestants who are more than 150 miles from the club they've chosen to compete in may be asked to verify travel logistics.
Material must be original. If it is not, you will be disqualified
Contestants must perform:
2.5 - 4 minutes in the Preliminary Rounds
4.5 - 6 minutes in the Semi Finals
8.5 - 10 minutes in the Final Round
Prize:
The Winner of the Funniest Person in the Midwest Contest will receive $3,500 + bragging rights for a year.
Second place will receive $1500. Third place will receive $750.
Promotions:
We'd like to promote you on our website! Please upload a high-resolution photo of yourself for us to include on our contest page. Professional headshots not required - an appropriate photo from Instagram or Twitter is fine!
By uploading, you authorize Helium to use, edit, copy, publish or exhibit any photo for any lawful purpose.
REMINDER: The deadline to make changes to your profile (stage name, headshot, etc) is May 15th. No edits will be accepted after this deadline.