National Tournament Topics 2026

High School Policy Debate

Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.

High School Public Forum Debate

Resolved: The United States is justified in using force to remove authoritarian leaders from power.

A total of 778 coaches and 2,791 students voted for the resolution. The winning resolution received 53% of the coach vote and 57% of the student vote.

High School Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Resolved: Democracies ought to prioritize the protection of civil liberties over national security.

A total of 776 coaches and 2,683 students voted for the resolution. The winning resolution received 59% of the coach vote and 55% of the student vote.

High School Big Questions Debate

Resolved: Moral systems rooted in theism are preferable to non-theistic moral systems.

High School Congressional Debate

The docket will be released on May 15.

High School World Schools Debate

(listed in round order)

• Rounds 1 and 2: This House supports the implementation of a federal jobs guarantee (e.g. India’s National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Argentina’s Plan Jefes y Jefas de Hogar, Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme).
  • Teams will debate one side of this motion in round 1. They will debate the opposite side of this motion in round 2.

• Round 3: Impromptu
• Round 4:  This House believes that NIL has done more good than harm for college athletics. 
  • Info Slide: NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness. NIL policies allow college athletes to receive compensation for the use of their personal brand without losing athletic eligibility.
• Round 5: Impromptu
• Round 6: Impromptu
• Elim 1: Impromptu
• Elim 2: This House, as a less economically developed country, would implement the Philippines’ 60-40 Rule.
  • Info Slide: The 60-40 Rule requires that at least 60% of each business in sectors of the economy deemed critical for national interest must be owned by citizens of that country.
• Elim 3: Impromptu 
• Elim 4: Impromptu 
• Elim 5: Impromptu 
• Elim 6: Impromptu 
• Finals: This House welcomes the decline of United States hegemony.

High School International Extemp Topic Areas

To ensure clarity, the 2026 National Tournament will use the United Nations’ Geographic Regions for geography-based topic areas.

(listed in alphabetical order)

1. Central Asia and Eastern Asia
2. Environmental Issues
3. Europe (including Russia)
4. Global Human Rights
5. International Diplomacy
6. International Economics
7. Militaries and Armed Conflicts
8. Northern Africa and Western Asia
9. Northern America and Central America
10. South America and the Caribbean
11. South-eastern Asia, Southern Asia, and Oceania
12. Sub-Saharan Africa (Eastern, Middle, Southern, Western Africa)
13. The World Next Week

High School United States Extemp Topic Areas

(listed in alphabetical order)

1. Civil Liberties and Expression
2. Climate, Environment, & Energy Policy
3. Congress
4. Courts and the Law
5. Education
6. Health Care and Social Programs
7. Innovation and Emerging Technologies
8. Pop Culture
9. Presidency and Executive Power
10. Social and Cultural Issues
11. U.S. Economics and Business
12. U.S. Foreign Policy
13. The U.S. Next Week

High School Extemporaneous Debate

Tournament officials post the resolution to be debated for each round 30 minutes prior to the start of flight A. Each resolution will address one of the following topic areas (listed in alphabetical order). 

TOPIC AREAS: 
(listed in alphabetical order)

1. Environment and Conservation
2. Governmental Structure
3. Health and Wellness
4. International Policy
5. Social Culture
6. Sports
7. Technology
8. U.S. Economics
9. U.S. Politics

High School Extemporaneous Commentary Round Themes

(listed in alphabetical order)

• Flashpoint Events That Changed Civilization – Turning points in history
  Friends Far and Near: U.S. Relationships Around the World – The United States’ alliances, rivalries, and global partnerships
• Infamous Infestations – Outbreaks, crises, and problems that spread quickly
• Rest In Peace: Those We Have Lost – Legacies of influential figures whose deaths shaped public conversation
• Stand Up: Individuals Who Question the Status Quo – Changemakers who challenge norms
• The American Celebration – Happy 250th! – Reflections on the U.S. semiquincentennial
• The Wild, Wild World Cup – Impacts of the world’s biggest sporting event
• To Rebrand Or Not To Rebrand, That Is The Question – Shifts in image, messaging, and brand identity across business, politics, and culture

High School Impromptu Round Themes

(listed in alphabetical order)

• Being Animated: Animation Through the Years – Prompts related to animated films and characters
• Food That’s Fast: Unique Cuisine – Prompts related to quick, creative, or regional meals and dining culture
• Old and Faithful: Landmarks and Monuments – Prompts related to famous historical sites
• Poetic Perfection: Dr. Maya Angelou – Prompts and quotes related to the life and works of Maya Angelou
• Smile! – American Celebrity – Prompts related to celebrities from the United States
• Sun Tzu’s The Art of War – Quotations and prompts related to Sun Tzu’s classic text
• The Declarations of Thomas Jefferson – Quotations by and about Thomas Jefferson
• Virginia Is for Lovers – Famous places, people, and traditions that make Virginia unique
• W.W.W. – Words of Wisdom from Washington – Quotations by Booker T. Washington

High School Storytelling

Students competing in Storytelling may use any theme/topic area.