National Speech and Debate Tournament

2026 — Richmond, VA/US

Big Questions Debate

Abbreviation BQ
Format Debate
Entry Fee $140.00
Entry 1 competitors per entry
Locations
Des Moines East High School Hiatt Middle School Iowa Events Center/Downtown Hilton Iowa State Capitol Building Johnston High School Northwest High School South Middle School Theodore Roosevelt High School Timberline School Trailridge School Valley High School
Contacts
National Speech and Debate Association
General
Invitation Home Email Archive Events & Divisions
Events
Congressional Debate: House Congressional Debate: Senate
Big Questions Debate Extemporaneous Debate Lincoln-Douglas Policy Debate Public Forum
Dramatic Interp Duo Interp Expository Extemp Commentary Humorous Interp Impromptu Informative Speaking International Extemp Original Oratory Original Spoken Word Poetry Poetry Program Oral Interp Prose Storytelling United States Extemp
Worlds Schools Debate
Circuits
BQ – Big Questions Middle School – Middle School NatCir – National Circuit (US HS) NSDA – National Speech and Debate Association Past Years' Editions

Dates & Deadlines

 EST
Tournament Dates Jun 14 to Jun 19 2026
Registration Opens Sun Mar 15 at 7:00 AM
Registration Closes Tue Jun 2 at 12:59 AM
Fees Freeze After Tue Jun 2 at 12:59 AM
Judge Information Due Tue Jun 2 at 12:59 AM
Drop online until Tue Jun 2 at 12:59 AM
Change fees apply after Tue Jun 2 at 12:59 AM

These deadlines are set in Tabroom for technical purposes. Always consult the invitation or tournament notices for official policies about deadlines and procedures.