The 2026 ADA National Tournament will be hosted by Emory University from March 7-9.

Full Invitation Available --->

Important Information for ADA INP participants

Building Access. Unfortunately, Emory has made on-campus buildings accessible only with an Emory ID. To facilitate access, an Emory representative will be assigned to each building. You can call or text the phone number below to request to be let in. You must meet at the designated door; these will be marked with signs that say “DEBATE” and are also identified below.

SAVE THIS PHONE NUMBER: (770) 765-2663. This is the number you should TEXT OR CALL for building access (see below).

Center of Operations. Our “home base” will be in the Goizueta Business School. Meals will be served on the ground floor of this building. If you have attended the Policy division of the Barkley Forum for High Schools, this area of campus will be familiar. Do NOT use muscle memory from the 2024 NDT; review this memo in detail.

Parking: You should park in the Fishburne Deck. The address is 2003 Fishburne Lane, Atlanta, GA. Parking is free on Saturday/Sunday and paid on Monday. More info available here: https://transportation.emory.edu/visitor-parking

Campus maps. See HERE for a map with the relevant buildings circled and the appropriate doors starred. An interactive campus map is also available here: https://map.emory.edu

Gender neutral restrooms. A map of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus can be found here: https://lgbt.emory.edu/resources/campus/index.html

Meals and Ramadan. We are serving all meals on Saturday and Sunday, as well as coffee. We are making all efforts to accommodate dietary restrictions and Ramadan observance. If you have dietary needs not met by one of the options available, please let us know and we will work to secure an alternative. If you are observing Ramadan, please e-mail carlyjanewatson@gmail.com and we will make sure you get a meal post-sundown.

WiFi. Internet access is available using the Emory Guest network–no registration required. Eduroam is also available, should your institution participate.

Online judging spaces. There are many spaces to judge on the 1^st floor of the Goizueta Business School building, near where meals will be served. Other buildings generally also have appropriate spaces–if you have trouble identifying a space, let us know.Please use headphones.

Entrances for Building Access - MAP ACCESSIBLE HERE
Anthro- Plaza level facing toward B school
Bowden- main door facing Quad
Callaway- 2nd floor facing the B school/quad
Candler- side further from B school, faces the Callaway Center
Carlos Hall- man door facing Quad. NOT THE CARLOS MUSEUM, one building further.
Goizueta/GBS- East wing, closest to Clifton Rd & Fishburne drive, ground level (opposite side from small quad)
Law School - door faces Clifton Rd, says “school of law” above it
Modern Languages- on brick path facing B school/quad.
PAIS/Psych- plaza level, above the door it says “36 Eagle row- main lobby”
Rich- faces parking deck
Tarbutton - Plaza level facing toward B school

Some ADA Nationals Specific Rules To Note:

**Judges must have at least 9 rounds of judging on the 2025/26 debate topic prior to ADA Nationals to count toward your team's judging commitment. Otherwise they will be a free strike.

**Judges must be in for at least 2 debates.

**Hybrid teams composed of debaters from different schools are welcome to debate, but cannot make elimination rounds unless they have debated together at 3 ADA tournaments as a team prior to ADA Nationals.

**To participate, each school must be a patron member of the ADA. You can pay for membership when you pay your entry fees or you can pay now.

Schedule:

The tentative schedule is available here: 2026 ADA Nationals Schedule

Saturday: 4 Prelims

Sunday: 2 Prelims + 1st Elim + Awards

Monday: Rest of Elims

Information:

The tournament will run Saturday, March 7 to Monday, March 9 and will be at Emory University and hybrid via Zoom.

There will be 6 rounds of preliminary debates in Novice, JV, and Varsity divisions, followed by an appropriate number of elimination debates, not to exceed double octafinals.

Hybrid entries composed of debaters from different schools are welcome, but see invitation for the ADA specific rules on eligibility to clear to elimination rounds as a hybrid team.

Nick Ryan will tab the tournament.

Payment & Fees:

You can pay fees & dues at this link: ADA Nationals Fees & Dues Payment

Fees for in-person teams: $100.00 per participant (debater/judge), covering the above costs in addition to food and cleaning expenses.

Fees for online teams: $100.00 per team covering tabbing expenses, trophies, and staffing.

Fees will be locked on Tuesday, March 3.

ADA membership: In order to participate at ADA Nationals, each institution must be a member of the ADA for 2025-26. Dues are $100.

New, emerging programs, or anyone else that does not have a budget and would otherwise have to pay out of pocket please contact the ADA President, Patrick Waldinger (contact info is on the right hand side of this page).

Hotel:

Everything in person will take place on the Emory University's campus, including the awards ceremony and elimination rounds.

Emory has secured two blocks for the tournament:

1. Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory

149.00USD per night + tax

Start Date: Friday, March 06, 2026 & End Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Last Day to Book: Monday, February 16, 2026

Click here to book online: Courtyard ADA Hotel Block

Emory Debate ADA National Room Block Group Code: EDAEDAB

2. Atlanta Marriott Northeast/Emory Area (previous NDT hotel; formerly called Century Center)

149.00 USD per night + tax

Start Date: Friday, March 06, 2026 & End Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Last Day to Book: Friday, February 20, 2026

Click here to book online: Marriott Northeast ADA Hotel Block

Emory Debate ADA Nationals at Emory University Code: ADAADAA