Basic info

Hello! We would like to formally invite you to the 2026-2027 UNM College Debate tournament. The event is hosted by the Department of Sociology and Criminology, The Department of Communication and Journalism, and the University of New Mexico Intercollegiate Debate Program. The ensuing information below contains information about the tournament as well as suggestions to facilitate your travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico this fall. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. George Weddington via email.



Travel:

Of course, the Albuquerque sunport is the easiest means to get to the tournament for those who plan to fly in. There are the major car rental companies on the west side of the airport, but it is possible to use public transit to get from the airport to the Nob Hill neighborhood where the UNM campus and hotels are; there are buses that go from the airport to the university and then buses that go along central ave (aka Route 66). The buses are completely free, but their timing can be inconvenient so it's better to be at the bus stop early!


For a bus schedule: https://www.cabq.gov/transit/routes-and-schedules#abq-ride-routes


Otherwise, it's about a 10 minute drive from the airport to Nob Hill.

Parking:


Parking at UNM is free on the weekends after 8pm on Friday evening at any of the permit lots (lot will have a sign that has an alphabetical letter). Exceptions are R-Lot and S-Lomas Structure during the weekends, and in any spaces restricted by signage.

For more information:

https://www.unm.edu/welcome/parking.html

HOTEL:

We have secured a room rate of $140+tax at the Hotel Zazz in Nob Hill about a 20 minute walk from campus. To receive this rate – please email the hotel manager, Sharmin Dharas, at sharmin@herstoryhospitality.com. The hotel block has a dozen double queen rooms.

https://www.hotelzazz.com/

The westbound 777 and/or 66 buses stop just in front of Hotel Zazz and take you to the main UNM entrance on Central Ave., which is just a 5 minute walk from the department of Communication and Journalism.


Food:

The tournament will provide a continental breakfast and snacks throughout the day. The daily schedule leaves ample time for teams to take advantage of the various food options that are across the street from campus and in the Nob Hill area for lunch and dinner.

Fees:

Tournament fees are $65/person non-refundable (including judges). They can be paid online here:

https://secure.touchnet.com/C21597_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=571&SINGLESTORE=true

Or they can be paid in person (or mail) by check made out to "University of New Mexico" and "UNM Debate" in the memo.


***old schedule***

Schedule:

October 24, 2026

Breakfast served: 7:00am

Round 1-2 pairings released: 7:30am

Round 1 start time: 8:15 am

Round 2 pairings: 10:15 am

Round 2 start time: 11:00 am

Lunch break: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Round 3 pairings released: 2:00 pm

Round 3 start time: 2:45 pm

Round 4 pairings released: 4:45 pm

Round 4 start time: 5:30 pm

Dinner

October 25, 2026

Breakfast served: 7:00am

Round 5 pairings released 7:30 am

Round 5 start time 8:15 am

Round 6 pairings released: 10:15 am

Round 6 start time: 10:45 am

Awards: 12:30-1:00pm

Lunch: 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Elim 1 pairings: 2:00 pm

Elim 1 start time: 2:30 pm

Elim 2 pairings: 4:30 pm

Elim 2 start time: 5:00 pm

Elim 3 pairings: 7:00pm

Elim 3 start time: 7:30 pm

(if there needs to be a fourth elim round, it will be on Monday morning, will update schedule should the tournament grow to that point.)

***preferred/likely new schedule***

Schedule:

October 24, 2026

Breakfast served: 7:00am

Round 1-2 pairings released: 7:30am

Round 1 start time: 8:15 am

Round 2 pairings: 10:15 am

Round 2 start time: 11:00 am

Lunch break: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Round 3 pairings released: 2:00 pm

Round 3 start time: 2:45 pm

Round 4 pairings released: 4:45 pm

Round 4 start time: 5:30 pm

Dinner

October 25, 2026

Breakfast served: 7:00am

Round 5 pairings released 7:30 am

Round 5 start time 8:15 am

Round 6 pairings released: 10:15 am

Round 6 start time: 10:45 am

Awards: 12:30-1:00pm

Lunch: 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Elim 1 pairings: 2:00 pm

Elim 1 start time: 2:30 pm

Dinner – 5pm

Monday 26 October

Breakfast: 7:00am

Elim 2 pairings: 7:30

Elim 2 start time: 8:00 am

Elim 3 pairings: 10:30am

Elim 3 start time: 11:00am