Home · Competitions
Step to the podium
Tournaments open to all experience levels, from first-timers to championship qualifiers. Entry fees are waived for students referred by our partner organisations.
Fall Open — Public Forum
Regional qualifier · All levels · Hybrid
Lincoln-Douglas Invitational
Intermediate and advanced · In person · Seattle, WA
Winter Extemp & Policy Championships
Championship level · In person · Portland, OR
Beginner Showcase & Workshop Day
First-timers welcome · Free for partner students · Virtual
Spring Regional — All Formats
All four formats · Two days · Seattle, WA
Registration runs through Tabroom, the NSDA’s tournament platform that most schools already use. Link your existing account or create one free.
Which event is right for you?
If you’re unsure, start with Public Forum. It’s the most accessible entry point and the format most of our novices choose.
Public Forum
Two-person teams debate a current-events topic that changes monthly. Best starting point for most students.
Lincoln-Douglas
One-on-one debate on questions of value and ethics. Rewards philosophical depth and tight logic.
Policy
Two-person teams argue a year-long policy resolution. The most research-heavy format we run.
Extemporaneous
Thirty minutes to prepare a seven-minute speech on a question you draw at random.
What to expect on the day
Tournaments run long. Plan for a full day, bring food, and expect to wait between rounds. You’ll debate four to six times, and you will lose some of them — everyone does, including the students who end up in finals.
Judges are volunteers from our alumni and community network. They complete our training module and follow published criteria, which you can read before you enter.
Accessibility accommodations
Contact our competition director at least ten days before an event to arrange accommodations. This includes extended prep time, quiet spaces, ASL interpretation, wheelchair access, and remote participation where an in-person division would otherwise exclude you.
Volunteer as a judge
Tournaments run on volunteers. You don’t need a debate background — our training module takes about 40 minutes and covers everything you need. Judging is also the best way to understand what your own student is walking into.
Ready to find your voice?
Book a free 20-minute consultation. No payment, no commitment — just a conversation about where you want to go.