Critical Role, a leader in storytelling and world building, is bringing an all-bard lineup to the table this November for Battle of the Bards, a live charity one-shot benefiting the Critical Role Foundation.
Airing November 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. PST on Beacon, Twitch and YouTube, the special will bring together some of your favorite celebrity bards for a night of musical rivalry, dice rolls and fundraising. Fans will also have a part to play, with donations helping determine what happens in the adventure.
Set in Exandria, Battle of the Bards finds Scanlan Shorthalt hosting the concert of the era. Five performers will compete to prove they’re the best bard in the land, besides Scanlan, of course, and potentially earn a spot as the opening act on his next tour. But when things go sideways, the rivals will have to put their egos aside and band together to ensure that the show must go on.
Critical Role’s Matthew Mercer will serve as Game Master, with fellow founders Sam Riegel, returning as Scanlan Shorthalt, and Ashley Johnson joining the table alongside Tom Morello, K. Flay, Wayne Brady, Blake Roman and THOT SQUAD.
