Longest running magic world championship

The International Federation of Magic Societies (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques, or FISM) has hosted the World Championship of Magic since its founding in 1948. It is the largest international competition of its kind, attracting more than 100 competitors, and since 1952 has been held every three years. Entrants compete across a number of "Best..." categories - including Manipulation, Card Magic, Parlour Magic, Mentalism and Comedy - and vie for the most coveted award: the Grand Prix.

The FISM is an alliance of 97 national and international magic societies, representing over 70,000 magicians from some 49 countries. The first world championship was held in 1948 in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the most recent in Quebec City, Canada, in 2022. The next event is scheduled to be hosted in Turin, Italy, in 2025.

Entrants get one opportunity to perform their act in front of a live audience and judging panel. Routines are assessed according to Technical Skill/Handling, Showmanship/Presentation, Entertainment Value, Originality and Magic Atmosphere, and scored out of 100. The competition is divided into five stage-magic categories and three close-up categories. The only magician to win the Grand Prix three times is Fred Kaps, in 1950 (Barcelona), 1955 (Amsterdam) and 1961 (Liège).