The Seattle Comedy Competition debuted in 1980. San Francisco Comedy Competition Producer Jon Fox wanted to start a comprable event in the Seattle area to take advantage of the boon in comedy in the region.

Many well-known comedians and actors have competed, including 1997 winner Mitch Hedberg, Aisha Tyler, Christopher Titus, Ron Funches, Arj Barker, Sean Kent, radio host Bill Radke, Dwight Slade, Dax Jordan, Auggie Smith, Tom Cotter, Joe Klocek, Jeff Dye, Josh Gondelman, Anne Edmonds, Ria Lina, and Rory Scovel.

In 2019 Seattle International Comedy Competition Nancy Norton became the second of only two women to ever win the Seattle International Comedy Competition, following the late Peggy Platt, who won in 1985. The 2021 Champion, Danny Martinello, also becomes the second of only two Canadian citizens to ever win the competition, following Damonde Tschritter in 2006.

The 2022 champion, Ari Matti from Estonia, became the first performer from outside of North America to win the competition.