10 Debate Competitions for High School Students
Participating in debate competitions during high school can be a game-changer for students aiming to strengthen their college applications. These events not only refine critical thinking and public speaking skills but also demonstrate a commitment to intellectual growth and extracurricular involvement. Colleges often look for well-rounded applicants who can articulate their ideas, argue effectively, and engage in thoughtful discourse—qualities that are at the heart of competitive debating. This early exposure to debate showcases a student’s ability to tackle complex issues, reason logically, and communicate persuasively, all of which are highly valued in a collegiate setting.
Moreover, involvement in debate competitions signals to admissions committees that a student is proactive in seeking out challenging opportunities and is eager to hone skills beyond the classroom. Success in debates can also highlight leadership qualities, as students learn to take charge, collaborate with teammates, and navigate high-pressure environments. These experiences can be compelling additions to college applications, setting candidates apart by reflecting their readiness to contribute meaningfully to campus life and academic communities.
1. The World Schools Debating Championships
Location: Changes by the year, this past year it was Serbia.
Cost: There is a $235 registration fee and a $330 competition fee.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Competition Dates: 10 days in July
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The World Schools Debating Championships stand out due to their extensive international participation, drawing over 70 national teams each year. Participants debate a wide range of topics, from global affairs to economics and sports, competing against peers from around the globe. Competitors are required to have their own debate coach before joining the event. Hosted in a different country every year, the 37th edition of the Championships took place in Serbia, providing an exciting opportunity to explore a beautiful destination while competing. A $330 fee is required, covering all transportation, meals, and accommodations for the tournament.
2. National Speech and Debate Tournament
Location: Des Mointes Area, Iowa
Cost: Entry fees are $110 per student. Partner events are $220.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May.
Competition Dates: June 15-20, 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Established in 1931, the National Speech and Debate Tournament is the world's largest academic competition, where students engage in debates on current events, express their opinions, and tell their stories. Participants must compete in preliminary rounds in their chosen events, with only 2-7 finalists advancing to the national debate stage. After progressing through challenging qualifying rounds and five intense days of national competition, the top performers are crowned champions in front of a live audience and many more viewers online. Each year, this prestigious event is held in a different major U.S. city, with the 2025 tournament set to take place in Des Moines, Iowa, in June.
3. Harvard National High School Invitational Forensics Tournament
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $100 entry fee.
Application Deadline: Applications will open December 1, 2024, and will open here.
Competition Dates: Competitions dates for 2025 haven’t been posted yet, but the last one was held February 15-17, 2025.
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Harvard National High School Invitational Forensics Tournament, hosted in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the largest and most prestigious speech and debate competition for high school students in the U.S. Participants have the chance to visit the nation's oldest campus and compete in events such as Policy Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, Student Congress, and a variety of individual and duo speech categories. The tournament takes place annually over President's Day Weekend, with the upcoming event scheduled for February 15-17, 2025, marking its 133rd year since its founding in 1892. Competing in this renowned tournament not only allows you to experience Harvard's historic grounds but also adds a distinguished accolade to your college applications.
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: None, debates are all year round
Competition Dates: All-year round
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Cosmos Championship is a global, virtual debate platform catering to high school students of various skill levels. To accommodate participants from around the world, Cosmos hosts multiple debate competitions nearly every week, providing regular opportunities for students to refine their debate and public speaking abilities. The championship features two league categories: the Intercontinental League and the International League, and offers two age divisions for competitors: the Junior Age Group (13 to 15 years old) and the Senior Age Group (16 to 19 years old).
5. World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships
Location: Virtual
Cost: There is a small registration fee, but specifics aren’t posted on the website.
Application Deadline: Dependent on the region
Competition Dates: Last year, it was held from April 14-20.
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship is an international English-language competition for high school students from around the globe. Countries and regions participating include Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, the United States, England, South Africa, Lithuania, Pakistan, Cyprus, Argentina, Botswana, Israel, India, South Korea, Zimbabwe, Germany, and many others. The tournament features four categories: Debate, Impromptu Speaking, Persuasive or After Dinner Speaking, and Interpretive Reading. Competitors are required to participate in all categories and are evaluated on their individual performance across the championship.
6. JW Patterson Tournament of Champions
Location: Lexington, KY
Cost: $75 registration fee as well as individual fees for each entry.
Application Deadline: Applications close March 10, 2025. Tournament fees and forms are due March 31, 2025.
Competition Dates: April 26-28, 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The JW Patterson Tournament of Champions, held annually at the University of Kentucky, offers competitions in a wide array of events, including Policy Debate, Lincoln–Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, Congressional Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Informative Speaking, Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Oral Interpretation, and Program Oral Interpretation. A distinctive feature of this tournament is its bid system, where debaters must earn their place by ranking high in nationally or regionally recognized tournaments. To qualify for the Tournament of Champions, participants are required to secure at least two bids.
You can also be an automatic qualifier if you were a finalist at the 2024 NSDA National Speech & Debate Tournament or the 2024 Tournament of Champions, a semifinalist at the 2024 Tournament of Champions, or a top 6th placer at the 2024 NCFL Grand National Tournament. Here are the specifics on which competitions and places earn you a bid.
7. California High School Speech Association
Location: The location has not been posted for this year yet, but this past year it was in Clovis CA.
Cost: $150 participation fee
Application Deadline: Registering by December 1, 2024 will help teams avoid late fees.
Competition Dates: The competition typically runs in April
Eligibility: Open to high schools students
This competition is an excellent option for students residing in California or nearby areas. While many speech and debate tournaments take place on the East Coast or internationally, this event is ideal for high school students on the West Coast. By participating, you can improve your communication skills, enhance critical thinking, and boost self-confidence. The tournament also creates opportunities to connect with like-minded peers who are enthusiastic about public speaking. Overall, it’s a valuable experience that promotes both academic and personal growth, allowing participants to express themselves, share ideas, and cultivate lifelong skills that will benefit their academic and professional journeys.
Location: New Haven, CT
Cost: $163 registration fee
Application Deadline: September 12, 2024
Competition Dates: September 20-22, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Yale University hosts four speech and debate tournaments annually: a British Parliamentary (BP) style competition, an American Parliamentary Debate Association (APDA) format event, a free Parliamentary Style tournament for Connecticut high school students, and the Yale Invitational, also known as the High School Tournament by the team. The Yale Invitational is a national-circuit tournament featuring a variety of speech and debate formats. Participating in these events not only offers the chance to compete on Yale’s historic New Haven campus but also allows you to enhance your college applications with the association of Yale’s prestigious name.
Location: Lexington, KY
Cost: $150 per participant
Application Deadline: September 25, 2024
Competition Dates: September 28-30, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The JW Patterson Debates feature three divisions of Policy Debate, each consisting of six preliminary rounds. In the Open division, teams will advance to Double Octofinals. Meanwhile, the first elimination rounds for the Novice and Wildcat divisions will be based on the number of entries in each division.
10. University of Minnesota College Invitational
Location: University of Minnesota, MN
Cost: $75 per participant
Application Deadline: October 8, 2024
Competition Dates: October 11-13, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The JW Patterson Debates offer three divisions of Policy Debate (Novice, Junior Varsity, and Varsity) with six preliminary rounds each. Teams of two compete in a cross-examination style format, where each debater gives one constructive speech and one rebuttal. The debate topic for the 2024-2025 season focuses on the U.S. Federal Government adopting a clean energy policy for decarbonization, including a market-based instrument.
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