2025 Online Congressional Debate &
Elementary Speech Tournament

Held online through NSDA Campus
Sunday, December 14, 2025 • 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Young Genius Association is excited to host this online Congressional Debate tournament for elementary and middle school students. We are one of few organizations that coordinate tournaments for younger competitors, and we invite all 4-5th graders and 6-8th grades to compete in Congressional Debate and 2-3rd grade students to compete in prepared speech.

If your student is affiliated with any speech and debate club/school, you must register through your club/school.

Divisions

2-3rd Grade: Elementary School Persuasive Speaking

4-5th grade: Elementary School Congressional Debate (see topics in the Tournament Docket & Procedures Handbook)

6-8th grade:Middle School Congressional Debate(see topics in the Tournament Docket & Procedures Handbook)

Read the detailed descriptions and rules of the speech formats in the Events & Division section.

Tournament Schedule
All times listed in Pacific Standard Time

9:00 - 9:15AM• Tournament Welcome

9:30 - 10:45AM• Round 1 for all levels of Congress and Speech

10:45 - 11:00AM• Break

11:00AM - 12:15PM• Round 2 for all levels of Congress and Speech

12:15 - 12:45PM• Break

12:45 - 2:00PM• Round 3 for all levels of Congress and Speech

2:00- 2:30PM• Break

2:30PM •Awards Ceremony