NACA Live 2026 is headed to Columbus, OH, and Neon is bringing a powerhouse comedy lineup ready to deliver big laughs and unforgettable campus experiences. If you’re building your event calendar for the upcoming year, these three standout comedians deserve a spot on your must-see list.

Derrick Knopsnyder – Comedian
High-energy and lightning quick, Derrick Knopsnyder has been making audiences laugh nationwide for over a decade. He’s appeared on Comedy Central’s New Talent Search, performed at The Oddball Comedy Festival, and won both Stand Up To Cancer’s Comedy Festival and The Cleveland Comedy Festival. A National Comedian of the Year Finalist (APCA), Derrick is known for his sharp crowd work that makes every show one-of-a-kind. With millions of social media views, an Amazon Prime special Everywhere But Famous, the hit podcast Bad Potato Salad, and the PGA Tour’s Comedians in Carts Making Bogeys, he’s a proven campus favorite. Ask about his Stuff-a-Buddy event for added engagement.

Ryan Kelly – Comedian
Known to 9.7 million followers as @YouthPastorRyan, Ryan Kelly has built a massive online presence by hilariously unpacking cybersecurity scams, corporate collapses, and bizarre corners of history. His stand-up transforms those unexpected deep dives into smart, fast-paced comedy that feels current, clever, and highly relatable to today’s students. Ryan’s unique storytelling style and viral appeal make him a standout choice for campuses looking to bring in a recognizable name with big energy.

Jonathan van Halem – Comedian
One of the fastest rising comedians out of New York City, Jonathan van Halem headlines colleges nationwide and works at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. His observational, relatable style has earned millions of views online, including viral clips from Depths of Wikipedia Live and his “Top Straightest Moments” series. Named to Vulture’s Best Comedy Shorts of 2024 for his AMC A-List rant, Jonathan brings polished, high-level comedy that connects strongly with campus audiences.

Event Game Shows

Neon’s Game Shows are bringing the energy to NACA Live 2026! If you’re looking for high-impact, full-room engagement programs that create instant excitement on campus, don’t miss the chance to experience these shows live.

Fast Tunes Game Show
Fast Tunes is a high-energy music competition where students race to identify songs faster than their friends. Spanning genres and generations, this interactive experience turns the entire room into contestants, creating instant engagement, friendly competition, and nonstop excitement. See it in action at NACA Live 2026 and feel the energy for yourself.

Free Money Game Show
Big energy. Big prizes. Big participation. Free Money Game Show puts real cash and prizes on the line as students compete in fast-paced trivia and challenges. Designed for full-room involvement, this program creates buzz across campus and keeps audiences cheering from start to finish. Catch it live at NACA to experience the hype firsthand.

The Survey Game Show
Inspired by classic survey-style formats, The Survey Game Show challenges teams to guess the most popular responses to fun, campus-relevant questions. It’s competitive, hilarious, and completely interactive, perfect for welcome weeks, family weekends, and large-scale student events. Don’t miss this crowd favorite at NACA Live 2026.

If you’re attending NACA Live 2026 in Columbus, make sure to catch these showcases. Make sure to visit Neon Entertainment at Booth 615! Ready to start planning? Connect with your Neon Agent at 1-800-993-NEON to check availability and build your next unforgettable event.