Saturday, October 10, 2026 · Ballantine Hall, IU Bloomington
Tournament Schedule
The grid below covers every event except Novice Congressional Debate, which runs three shorter sessions on its own schedule. Check-in opens at 8:00 a.m.; awards run 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The structure below is set; exact minutes may shift as registration numbers are confirmed. Watch the event page for the final schedule and room assignments.
The day at a glance
| Time | What’s happening |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. | Registration & check-in. All competitors, judges, and observers check in and pick up materials. Every adult entering the building must bring a government-issued photo ID; we are required to inspect each one at check-in. |
| 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. | Welcome & orientation for students, families, and judges. |
| 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Round 1 — Policy, World Schools, Public Forum (Flights A/B), Lincoln-Douglas (Flights A/B). |
| 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Round 2 — Policy, World Schools, Public Forum (A/B), Lincoln-Douglas (A/B). |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Session 1 — Varsity Congressional Debate and Constitutional Convention Debate (extended sessions, with a mid-morning recess). |
| 12:00 – 12:45 p.m. | Lunch. Provided for participants; you are also welcome to bring your own food and snacks. |
| 12:45 – 2:15 p.m. | Round 3 — Policy, World Schools, Public Forum (A/B), Lincoln-Douglas (A/B). |
| 2:15 – 3:45 p.m. | Round 4 — Policy, World Schools, Public Forum (A/B), Lincoln-Douglas (A/B). |
| 12:45 – 3:45 p.m. | Session 2 — Varsity Congressional Debate and Constitutional Convention Debate (with a mid-afternoon recess). |
| 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. | Founding Documents Forum. Short remarks and an open Q&A with invited legislators, educators, and civic leaders, plus a primary-source showcase — open to students who have finished competing, families, and judges. Students in the four-round events and the extended sessions join as their final rounds end (about 3:45). |
| 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Awards ceremony. Premium awards for top debaters and a commemorative keepsake for every participant, plus team sweepstakes. |
How flighting works (Public Forum & Lincoln-Douglas)
Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas rounds run roughly half the length of a Policy round, so each 90-minute round block is split into two flights. Flight A debates begin at the top of the block; Flight B debates begin when Flight A concludes, in the same room with the same judge. Your entry will be assigned a flight on the postings. Flighting lets one judge cover two debates per block and reduces the number of rooms in use — please arrive at your room promptly so both flights finish on time.
A few practical notes
- Pre-set then power-matched: the first two rounds of the two-team events are pre-scheduled; later rounds are matched on results, so postings come out as ballots come in. Watch the postings between rounds.
- Policy timing: Policy rounds are long, and a block may occasionally run over; the schedule catches up at the next break. Policy debaters should expect shorter downtime between rounds.
- Balloting: electronic through SpeechWire, with a paper option from the tournament office. Judges: submitting ballots promptly keeps the whole tournament on time.
- Novice Congress runs three shorter sessions with passing periods — see the Novice Congress schedule.
- What to wear: business attire is encouraged but not required, and judges are instructed not to factor wardrobe into their decisions. Comfortable and respectful is perfect.
Getting there & parking
The tournament is at Ballantine Hall, 1020 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana. Free car parking (including ADA-accessible spaces) is available in the nearby Sycamore surface lot and the Atwater garage; free bus parking at the Stadium. Specific directions and room assignments will be posted by early October.
Next: see the Events & Rules page for each event’s format, times, and judging notes.