SOUTHAMPTON looks set to be the funniest city in Britain as it hosts a brand new comedy festival this weekend.

Comedy Central Live! has moved into Hoglands Park for three days of back to back comedy.

The tents are up and the stages set for what will be an extraordinary few days of laughter-making for the city.

Kicking off today at 1pm, many of our brightest comedy stars are on board for this exciting new festival which is being run in co-ordination with Go! Southampton.

Katherine Ryan, Russell Howard, Jimmy Carr, Rob Beckett, Rob Delany and Reginald D Hunter are just some of the biggest names in comedy performing at the three-day event. Also look out for this year's winner of Britain’s Got Talent , Lost Voice Guy.

Daily Echo: Katherine Ryan

As well as this punters can enjoy live versions of some of their favourite shows, including Roast Battle and Drunk History.

Cult game show Takeshi’s Castle will also feature at the park with its ‘ultimate inflatable course’.

There will be an ‘experiential area’ with attractions including South Park and Joel and Nish V The World while comedians will belt out classic musical hits in a live stage show, and drag group Denim will host an “alternative all day” party at the site.

Managing director Jill Offman previously told the Echo: “We are always looking for new ways to connect with our loyal audiences, so it only made sense for Comedy Central to launch one of the biggest comedy festivals the UK has ever seen.”

A spokesperson for Southampton’s Business Improvement District previously said: “It is the direct result of work by the team at GO! Southampton Business Improvement District (BID) and seeks both to raise the profile of the city as an events destination, and to bring new business to city centre shops, bars, restaurants and other attractions.”

This week The Daily Echo was able to report that organisers have streamlined the ticket system and effectively reduced prices with an all day standard ticket costing jut £20. Special VIP tickets are now £40 which include fast-track entry, guaranteed premium reserved seating,access to the VIP area and a goody bag.

You can book tickets at comedycentral.co.uk/cclive.

HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COMEDY CENTRAL LIVE!

When is it?

Today (Friday), Saturday and Sunday at Southampton’s Hoglands Park. You can book tickets at comedycentral.co.uk/cclive.

Amazing! Who’s Performing?

Jimmy Carr, Russell Howard and Katherine Ryan are headlining a line-up packed with over 70 of the UK’s biggest and best comedians. Here’s a sneak peek at who’ll be playing the main stage over the weekend:

Friday

• Main Stage @ 1pm - Rob Delaney, Lee Nelson, Doc Brown, Suzi Ruffell, Rhys James

• Main Stage @ 3.45pm - Reginald D Hunter, Doc Brown, Alex Edelman, Lauren Pattison, Phil Wang

• Main Stage @ 6:30pm - Joel Dommett + Nish Kumar, Ed Gamble, Jayde Adams

• Headline Show @ 9pm - Katherine Ryan, Reginald D Hunter, Russell Kane, Stephen Bailey

Saturday

• Main Stage @ 1pm - Nish Kumar, Tom Rosenthal, Rose Matafeo, Desiree Burch, Kiri Pritchard-McLean

• Main Stage @ 3.45pm - Rob Delaney, Ivo Graham, Lee Nelson, Matt Richardson

Daily Echo: Comedian Russell Howard will perform in Barnard Castle in November

• Main Stage @ 6:30pm - Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett, Andrew Maxwell

• Headline Show @ 9pm - Russell Howard, Jamali Maddix, Jack Barry + Rob Delaney

Sunday

• Main Stage @ 1pm - Dane Baptiste, Mo Gilligan, John Robins, John Hastings

• Main Stage @ 3.45pm - Lost Voice Guy, Iain Stirling, Desiree Burch, Tez Ilyas

Daily Echo: Jimmy Carr: Work in Progress

• Main Stage @ 6:30pm - Chris Ramsey, Lee Nelson, Luisa Omielan, Andrew Maxwell

• Main Stage @ 9pm - Jimmy Carr

What else is happening?

Every show ticket gives you full access to an all-day stand-up stage featuring our favourite emerging comedians and future stars, including:

FRIDAY

Carl Donnelly

Bilal Zafar

Fin Taylor

Adam Rowe

Huge Davies

Evelyn Mok

Alistair Williams

Ahir Shah

Tom Houghton

Tom Ward

Heidi Regan

Elliot Steel

Daily Echo:

SATURDAY

Fin Taylor

Catherine Bohart

Jonny Cochrane

Inel Tomlinson

Rosie Jones

Brett Goldstein

Sarah Keyworth

Jake Lambert

John Hastings

Ken Cheng

Glenn Moore

Mo Omar

SUNDAY

Emmanuel Sonubi

Marlon Davis

Nigel Ng

Tim Renkow

Tom Lucy

Kelly Convey

Catherine Bohart

Harriet Kemsley

John Hastings

Darren Harriott

Sarah Keyworth

Brennan Reece

Carl Hutchinson

Bobby Mair

Lloyd Griffith

Laura Lexx

As if that wasn't enough, organisers will be presenting live versions of some of your favourite Comedy Central shows including Your Face Or Mine, Roast Battle and Drunk History. And they are giving the bravest of Takeshi's Castle fans a chance to take on the ultimate inflatable assault course. There’ll also be experiential attractions from South Park and Joel and Nish Vs The World AND an all-day party hosted by drag super group, Denim.

Count Me In! How Much Are Tickets?

There are a few options so that you can create an experience that works best for you:

All Day Standard Entry - £20.00

You get to enjoy all the fun of the festival and the main stage shows, including the headliners. The 4 stages packed full of the funniest and freshest comedians, but please note this pass does not guarantee you access. All the stages are based on a first come, first serve basis, so arrive early to avoid disappointment!

All Day VIP Entry - £40.00

This ticket gives you all the benefits of an All Day Standard Access pass PLUS fast-track entry, guaranteed premium reserved seating in the main stage, access to the VIP area and bar, AND a goody bag! Please note access to all other stages is on a first come, first served basis.

Book tickets now at comedycentral.co.uk/cclive.

A spokesperson for Comedy Central Live said: “We are very excited to launch Comedy Central Live in Southampton this Friday.

"With an unbeatable line up of comedians from across the whole country, as well as live versions of Comedy Central shows including Your Face Or Mine & Roast Battle, Southampton is set to be the funniest place in Britain this weekend."