Harvard Debate Council
About
The Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament is one of the largest and most prestigious high school forensics competitions in the United States, held annually over Presidents’ Day Weekend. Hosted by the Harvard Debate Council, the program brings together thousands of students from across the world to compete in a rigorous academic environment. Its mission is to promote excellence in communication, research, and critical thinking by providing a platform for high-level discourse on complex global and domestic issues. Participants engage in multiple preliminary rounds across several days, with the most successful entries advancing to a series of intense elimination rounds judged by a panel of experts and collegiate debaters. The tournament is unique for its massive scale, its use of the Harvard University campus and surrounding Cambridge area as a backdrop, and its status as a "major" on the national circuit. By offering divisions for middle school, novice, and varsity students, it provides a comprehensive competitive pipeline for young speakers.
Application Requirements
Timeline
Registration Opening Date
Dec 1, 2024
Policy Debate Round Robin (CXRR) Entry Deadline
Jan 1, 2025
Final Registration Deadline
Feb 10, 2025
Fees Freeze Date
Feb 10, 2025
Judge Information Deadline
Feb 11, 2025
Final Payment Deadline
Feb 13, 2025
Online Confirmation Period
Feb 14, 2025
Online Confirmation Period
Feb 14, 2025
2025 Tournament Dates
Feb 15, 2025 – Feb 17, 2025
2026 Tournament Dates
Feb 14, 2026 – Feb 16, 2026
Uni Insight
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