So, what is this thing?

How do I sign up?

It’s Always Punny in Philadelphia (IAPIP) is Philly’s first, best, and only pun-off. Contestants go head to head for wordplay glory in three rounds: PUNDITS, HEADLINES, and PUNDEMONIUM. It’s a fun, wild, and nerdy time.

In PUNDITS, contestants sign up in advance to perform a 3-ish minute standup routine full of puns on a topic of their choosing. So, if you were punning on the topic of grains, you might lead off with “I’m happy wheat could get together tonight… I’m so excited I can barley contain myself!” Get it? Groaning? Good. Contestants get free tickets to IAPIP and the winner of PUNDITS wins a cash prize, a t-shirt, and most importantly, glory.

In HEADLINES, our introvert-friendly round, attendees get read a whacky news story and have the chance to submit a headline. Think NY Post!

In PUNDEMONIUM, contestants sign up at the event for a head-to-head improvised pun-off. Think rap battle meets March Madness meets, well, wordplay. You and several other contestants draw a topic from a hat, then take turns punning. Draw a blank? Repeat a pun? You’re out. Last one standing? You advance in the bracket. Like with PUNDITS, the winner gets a cash prize, a t-shirt, and glory.

IAPIP #2’s winning pundits routine on MEDICINE

See that “sign up to compete” button in the menu on top! All the details you need are there.

Routine on COLORS from IAPIP #1

What does a PUNDITS routine look like?

Who runs this thing?

Hi there, I’m Aaron. I’ve been punning my whole life — it runs in the family — but I got into the wordplay scene back in 2016 at Washington DC’s PUN DMV. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to compete in events from New York’s Punderdome to Seattle’s Pun Intended. I moved to Philly in the summer of 2022 and wanted to get a wordplay scene started here. I’ve been fortunate enough to partner with Helium to make this all possible, and I’m hoping to build an event and scene that’s as scrappy and wonderful as this city is!