Watch the FInal Rounds live on June 18 and 19.
This June, Richmond will host the National Speech & Debate Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. More than 7,000 student competitors from roughly 1,500 schools across all 50 states will fill convention halls, school classrooms, and historic theaters across the region.
While the competition is closed to the public, final rounds can be streamed LIVE on Thursday, June 18, and Friday, June 19. See the full schedule below.
Recordings will be available later in the summer.
Thursday, June 18
| 8:00 a.m. | Congressional Debate – Senate Students generate a series of bills and resolutions for debate in a U.S. legislative process simulation. |
| 11:00 a.m. | Informative Speaking Students use evidence, logic, and optional visual aids to educate on a topic of their choosing. |
| 12:45 p.m. | Humorous Interpretation Students use comedic and character development skills to perform a portion of a published work. |
| 2:15 p.m. | Dramatic Interpretation Students use character development and dramatic depth to perform a portion of a published work. |
| 4:15 p.m. | Leadership & Impact Honors Coach of the Year, Communicator of the Year, and more. |
| 5:00 p.m. | Program Oral Interpretation Students combine multiple published works to perform a piece centered around a single theme. |
| 7:00 p.m. | Legacy & Service Honors Lifetime Service Award, Hall of Fame, and more. |
| 8:00 p.m. | Duo Interpretation Students team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published work using off-stage focus. |
Friday, June 19
| 8:00 a.m. | Congressional Debate – House Students generate a series of bills and resolutions for debate in a U.S. legislative process simulation. |
| 8:00 a.m. | World Schools Debate Students engage in highly collaborative debate focused on issues, rather than procedure. |
| 9:30 a.m. | United States Extemporaneous Speaking Students have 30 minutes to prepare a 7-minute speech on current events in the U.S. |
| 10:45 a.m. | International Extemporaneous Speaking Students have 30 minutes to prepare a 7-minute speech on international current events. |
| 12:00 p.m. | Policy Debate Students propose enacting a policy, while opposition offers reasons to reject their proposal. |
| 2:00 p.m. | Lincoln-Douglas Debate Students debate issues of values, morality, and justice in a direct one-on-one format. |
| 3:30 p.m. | Public Forum Debate Students flip a coin to determine which side argues for or against a resolution on a current event. |
| 5:00 p.m. | Original Oratory Students write and deliver an original speech on a personally significant issue. |
| 6:30 p.m. | High School National Awards |
