The National Speech & Debate Tournament is the largest academic competition in the world and serves as the capstone experience for thousands of speech and debate students each year. The event is hosted in a different city each summer and brings nearly 6,000 students from more than 1,200 schools from across the country, U.S. territories, and select guest countries together for a week of rigorous competition to determine national champions. High school students in the United States compete to attend Nationals through the district qualification series. The NSDA Last-Chance Qualifier is an opportunity for students who did not qualify through their district tournament to have a chance to attend the National Tournament. The NSDA Last-Chance Qualifier is an opportunity for students who did not qualify through their district tournament to have a chance to attend the National Tournament. Additionally, each member school may bring up to two non-qualifying students to compete in supplemental events. International schools who are interested in attending the tournament can see International Programs for more information.
The Middle School National Speech & Debate Tournament is an open invitational that attracts more than 850 students from 160 schools from across the country, U.S. territories, and select guest countries. Various public speaking, literary performance, and debate events are offered, which are modeled after the high school National Tournament. Other less-competitive events allow additional fun opportunities for students to exercise their skills.