Cage Match
1998-present · Chicago, NYC, LA (UCB)
Also known as Cagematch, UCB Cagematch
Weekly head-to-head improv competition where audience vote decides winner — the canonical US indie-improv competition format.
Known for
- Originated at ImprovOlympic (iO) Chicago, Friday February 13, 1998, by Kevin Mullaney — pitched to Charna Halpern as replacement for Saturday-night improv jam.
- First Cage Match: The Spoofmeisters vs. Troy's Bucket; Troy's Bucket won 93-29.
- Moved to UCB and became the weekly flagship; format: two teams, 25 minutes each, audience vote.
- 2006: Charlie Todd instituted UCBW, a wrestling league with choreographed matches between the teams' performances.
- Running streaks have exceeded 70+ weeks for winning teams.
Connected to
Schools & Theaters
People