What to Expect
Day-by-day breakdown
Sunday
For high school teams beginning competition on Monday, registration will run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Sunday, June 14. All attendees will be required to enter the building through OPENGATE weapons detection systems at all tournament venues and may be subject to search. We recommend leaving suitcases and other large bags behind to streamline entry. An adult from each team should stop by to pick up your materials and ask any questions. This person will be asked to verify that they will distribute the wristbands that grant access to tournament buildings to the appropriate people. Late registration will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for schools arriving in the evening. Additional events for coaches take place throughout the day, like the district leader reception or the new coach receptions. A list of Sunday events will be available on our schedule. We recommend teams drive to the competition venues before competition begins to become familiar with the daily route and expected travel times.
Monday
High school main event competition begins! Students and judges report to their designated competition venues (wearing their ribbons and wristbands!) for a full day of speech and debate. Late registration will be held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Monday morning for teams who were unable to attend on Sunday. This is for extenuating circumstances only.
Tuesday
Competition continues. The first posting of breaks are announced in the afternoon for those advancing to rounds 7 and 8 in speech or debate. Rounds 7 and 8 take place, followed by postings for the next rounds, quarters in the House, and semis in the Senate. Eliminated students who are pre-registered in supplemental events must re-register to confirm participation between 12:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. through Tabroom.com. Students who pre-registered but did not re-register will not be scheduled for competition. This includes students only attending Nationals in supplementals. All students must re-register.
Student Party – Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Wednesday
High school main event competition continues, and supplemental and middle school competition begins. Additional main event postings will occur throughout the day. High school National Tournament participants who are no longer competing on Wednesday are welcome to judge at the Middle School National Tournament! To be eligible, they must have completed their junior or senior year of high school and have 250+ Honor Society points. More details can be found here.
Thursday
High school main event competition continues as needed. High school main event speech finalists report to a Light and Sound Check Thursday morning. High school final rounds begin, with Congress at the Convention Center and other events at the Altria Theater. Supplemental and middle school competition continues and postings of advancing students occur throughout the day.
Friday
Final rounds for high school main events will be held throughout the day at the Altria Theater. Final rounds for supplementals and middle school occur throughout the day at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The Middle School Awards Assembly occurs in the late afternoon at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, and the week ends with the high school National Awards Assembly Friday evening at the Altria Theater where our national champions are crowned.
Student Party
Belonging and inclusion station
Each competition venue will have a dedicated Belonging and Inclusion Station. The Belonging and Inclusion Station (BIS) is a resource that supports participants who need interpersonal support during the tournament. It also helps safeguard against potential violations of the NSDA Harassment and Discrimination Policy. All participants are encouraged to visit the BIS.
Accessibility & Accommodations FAQ
The National Speech & Debate Association is committed to providing an inclusive, welcoming, and accessible experience for all participants, coaches, judges, and guests at the National Speech & Debate Tournament. Below are answers to common questions about accommodations available at the tournament.
Competitors can share the correct pronunciation of their name using Tabroom. To add name pronunciation:
- Log in to Tabroom.com.
- Go to your profile.
- Click “Edit Names” under the “Judge & Entry Names” section.
- Enter the phonetic spelling of the name.
Additionally, coaches have the opportunity to add students’ pronunciations on the Entries tab of their school’s registration in Tabroom.com.
Yes. Students and judges may choose to add their pronouns to their Tabroom.com profile. If provided, these pronouns will be shared via email with other judges, competitors, and followers of a section or debate as part of round pairings. Pronouns will also appear on judges’ online or printed ballots.
Pronouns will not be displayed publicly on Tabroom.com, including to tournament staff or on public schematics.
Pronouns may be updated at any time. Attendees may also choose to pick up pronoun ribbons or buttons to wear during the tournament. All participants are expected to take note of and respect others’ pronouns throughout the event.
Participants are encouraged to review their school guidelines and applicable state and local laws before adding pronouns.
To update your pronouns:
- Log in to your Tabroom.com account
- Navigate to your profile settings
- Add or update your pronouns as desired
If you would like to request an ADA-related accommodation for one of your school’s participants, please complete the Accommodations Request Form.
Note: Accommodation requests may only be made by coaches.
For questions regarding accessibility at the tournament, please contact Dr. Paul Porter at paul.porter@speechanddebate.org.
Each competition venue will have a dedicated Belonging and Inclusion Station (BIS). The BIS provides interpersonal support during the tournament and helps safeguard against potential violations of the NSDA Harassment and Discrimination Policy.