Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 2 hrs ago
King of Conte 2026 final airs with a first-ever repechage round
Japan’s King of Conte comedy contest airs its 2026 final live on TBS on Oct.
17.
The annual competition is in its 19th year and drew 3,445 comedy acts.
Ten acts had already qualified for the final, where they compete to be named Japan’s top sketch-comedy act.
This year, organizers added a first-ever repechage round for 10 acts that lost in the semifinals.
The round began at 2 p.m., and its winner joins the 10 finalists, making 11 acts in the main contest.
The field includes experienced finalists and first-time entrants, with Nippon no Shacho seeking a second title after winning a separate comedy competition in 2025.
The winner receives 10 million yen, and the final is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
King of Conte 2026 is scheduled to air live on TBS on October 17, with the final beginning at 6 p.m.
The contest is holding a repechage round for the first time, beginning at 2 p.m.
Ten acts that lost in the semifinals will compete for the final place in the main event.
The repechage winner will join the 10 finalists, making 11 acts in the final.
A total of 3,445 acts entered the contest, whose winner receives 10 million yen.
- Who
- Ten finalists and 10 acts competing in the repechage. The repechage winner will join the final.
- What
- King of Conte 2026, a Japanese comedy sketch contest, is holding its final and its first repechage round.
- When
- October 17, 2026. The repechage is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the final for 6 p.m.
- Where
- On TBS in Japan.
- Why
- The repechage gives one act eliminated in the semifinals a last chance to enter the final.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The first King of Conte repechage round is scheduled to be broadcast live, with 10 acts competing.
The King of Conte 2026 final is scheduled to be broadcast live on TBS.
- Contest entrants
- 3,445 acts
- Repechage competitors
- 10 acts
- Finalists before repechage winner joins
- 10 acts
- Winner's prize
- 10 million yen
- Final broadcast
- October 17, 6 p.m. on TBS
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What people are saying
It costs money.
There are 20 comedy sets.
I want to switch gears, treat it as something separate, and take it on with a fresh mindset.
I want to win soon and move on.