Wrestling With the Champ has won the Liberty Award at the 2026 Leicester Comedy Festival and UK Kids’ Comedy Festival Awards, recognising the show’s impromptu performance at Real Ale Classroom earlier this year.
The Liberty Award celebrates individuals and organisations that embody the spirit of the festival by going above and beyond for audiences and the wider comedy community.
The award was presented as part of the 2026 festival honours, which also recognised acts including Joz Norris for Best Show and The Rubbish Shakespeare Company for Best Kids’ Show.
The win follows an unusual moment during the festival programme. Thirty audience members arrived at Real Ale Classroom expecting a show that had been cancelled at short notice. Rather than let them head home disappointed, Ant McGinley and Damien St John stepped back on stage and delivered an unscheduled performance of their improvised gameshow, FistyMania.
The Liberty Award shortlist included a range of festival contributors, including The Festival Hub, DMU Special Collections, Real Ale Classroom, Firebug and Liebenspiel.
For more information, visit https://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/festival-awards#NomineesandWinners2026
Other winners at the 2026 Leicester Comedy Festival Awards
Lifetime Contribution — Charlotte Laidet
Best Small Venue — Firebug
Best Large Venue — De Montfort Hall
Best New Venue — Soft Touch Arts
Best Kids’ Show — The Rubbish Shakespeare Company: Romeo & Juliet
Best Variety Show — Lady Bolognese: Class War
Best New Show — Luke Rollason: The Poolboy (WIP)
Best Debut Show — James Ellis: Craig (WIP)
Liberty Award — Wrestling With the Champ
Best Promoter — Laughter Craft
Tracey Miller Community Award — Leicester Libraries
Student of the Year — Molly Oliver
Business Contribution — Steep Soda
Contribution to Leicester Comedy Festival 2026 — Highcross Shopping Centre
About Wrestling With the Champ
Wrestling With the Champ is a scripted comedy podcast created by Ant McGinley and Damien St John. FistyMania is the podcast's improvised wrestling-themed gameshow where comedians and audience members compete in chaotic rounds inspired by professional wrestling. The show is produced by Podomedy and has previously won Best Sports Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards.