PUNOFF.COM
FAQs
Q: The 2026 Pun-Off is moving to a new rain location for all events!
Both Friday and Saturday have high probabilities of rain, so the Pun-Off is moving to an indoor location, the Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road, 78754. (map) Near intersection of Cameron and Rutherford Lane. By CapMetro bus, there are nearby stops for bus lines 10 and 325. If you need to cross Cameron Road, please note that the nearest crosswalks are at the light at Cross Park Drive and at Rutherford Lane. Parking is available onsite during regular hours. If the AARC lot is full, overflow parking is also available at the Austin Police Department Recruiting building that is next to the center and a short walk away. You can turn into the lot on Cameron Road. We apologize for the rain change. The event is free to attend.
Q: Where is the fair weather O. Henry Museum Pun-Off World Championships location?
In most years, the Pun-Off is held on the second weekend in May. In other words, Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. The event is usually held outdoors (weather permitting) in the redesigned Brush Square Park behind the O. Henry and Susanna Dickinson Museums. A social event for contestants and guests is planned for Friday evening at the museums. It is completely FREE to attend the event or compete! If you're interested in competing, registration opens on March 1st at 12pm CDT (-5 GMT) on punoff.com, and closes on March 4th at 11:59 CDT. (-5 GMT) Contestants are chosen via lottery. We use a randomized lottery because we have more potential contestants than 32 slots for each competition. For announcements and news subscribe to this website's mailing list, join the official Facebook group, or follow on X (Twitter) @punoffATX.
Q: Where can I park on the day of the museum event?
There is limited street parking around Brush Square, but many public parking garages are located nearby. One of the nearest paid parking garage is the Public Parking Garage located at 601 East 5th St.
Q: Will the event be presented live on stage with two contests?
Yes, Punniest of Show and PunSlingers, each with 32 contestants.
Q: Will competitions be face-to-face or virtual?
Live! Performed on stage. We hope to stream the event for remote viewers to watch or listen.
Q: If it’s a live event, is it pretty much the same every year?
Always two contests: Punniest of Show & PunSlingers. Watch past recordings here on the website or on YouTube by searching "punoff" or "punoff channel."
Q: If rain is predicted or it is raining, what will happen?
NEWS FLASH: All 2026 events are moving indoors to Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road (map). Same schedule, but in an auditorium out of the rain. Actually, hot sunny days in the 90's are more common and uncomfortable.
Q: Will the 32 contestants be invited, recruited or chosen by lottery?
Some recent winners will be invited. But most of the spots will be assigned by random lottery.
Q: I have a friend who really should enter this contest. Where do we go to sign up?
Registration in a lottery for a chance to compete traditionally opens March 1 - 4th when fools march forth.
Q: How can I view the live Pun-Off event this year?
Come to Austin!! It's really the best way, and the Pun-Off is a free event! However, we hope to live stream.
Q: Is the O. Henry Museum Pun-Off World Championships a charitable fund raiser or a for-profit event?
There is a silent auction with cool items ready for your bid. You can also buy souvenirs like t-shirt or gift items. Donations are collected by Brush Square Museums Foundation, the nonprofit organization (TIN 43-1988102) dedicated to the O.Henry Museum and Susanna Dickinson Museum, which are operated by the City of Austin. The event is free to attend and compete in.
Q: Why is O. Henry known for puns?
He used puns and cleaver wordplay in many short stories. O. Henry’s well-worn dictionary is displayed at the O.Henry Museum.
Q: When was the O. Henry Museum Pun-Off Championships started?
It began in 1977 as an informal event, but really grew in the 1980’s and 1990’s with thousands watching in the back yard of the O. Henry Museum, i.e. Brush Square, one of the original four Austin parks. 2027 marks it's 50th anniversary.
Q: Who wrote the rules for this competition?
The rules evolve as necessary every year, check out our Rules page for more information.
Q: Who decides what topics are used in PunSlingers?
Brian Oakley is a “Topic Guru” plus they are debated by P.U.N.Y. (Punsters United Nearly Yearly.) You’d be surprised how much thought goes into what makes an appropriate topic! Topics come and groan with some favorites like “body parts” appearing jearly.
Q: What are the time limits for PunSlingers or Punniest of Show?
See the Rules page
Q: Are there other punning competitions around the world?
Yes, competitive pun events are quite popular today in New York, London, and Seattle, for example, but we first started our two contests in 1977. This is the 49th JEAR.
