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. Middle school speech events run four rounds, one in each round block. Check-in opens at 8:00 a.m.; awards run 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Tentative scheduleThe 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. Photographs and/or video will be taken at this event. By taking part in this event, you grant the event organizers full rights to use the images resulting from the photography/video filming, and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for fundraising, publicity or other purposes to help achieve the group’s aims. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in their printed and online publicity, social media, press releases and funding applications. If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform an event organizer. |
| 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. | Welcome & orientation for students, families, and judges, with a video greeting from Chancellor David A. Reingold (competitors in BH 013; judges in BH 003). |
| 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Round 1 — Policy, World Schools, Public Forum (Flights A/B), Lincoln-Douglas (Flights A/B), Middle School LD (Flights A/B), Middle School Speech (Round 1) |
| 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Round 2 — Policy, World Schools, Public Forum (A/B), Lincoln-Douglas (A/B), Middle School LD (A/B), Middle School Speech (Round 2) |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Session 1 — Varsity Congressional Debate (extended session, 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), Middle School LD (A/B), Middle School Speech (Round 3); Middle School World Schools: preparation period for the impromptu motion |
| 2:15 – 3:45 p.m. | Round 4 — Policy, World Schools, Public Forum (A/B), Lincoln-Douglas (A/B), Middle School LD (A/B), Middle School Speech (Round 4); Middle School World Schools: impromptu debate (its Round 3) |
| 12:45 – 3:45 p.m. | Session 2 — Varsity Congressional Debate (with a mid-afternoon recess). |
| 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. | Founding Documents Forum. In Woodburn Hall 100. Interim Executive Dean Caroline Chick Jarrold introduces Honorary Chief Judge Dawn Johnsen for short remarks and an open Q&A — 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 in Woodburn Hall 100, with Honorary Chief Judge Dawn Johnsen. Trophies, medallions, and ribbons for top finishers (the number of places awarded in each division depends on its entries; details on Events & Rules), a commemorative keepsake for every participant, and 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, who submits the Flight A ballot before starting Flight B. Your entry will be assigned a flight on the postings at live.speechwire.com. 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 — see the Novice Congress schedule.
- Middle school doubling: a Middle School LD debater may also enter one speech event; check your LD flight and go to that event first or second accordingly (see Events & Rules).
- 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.