Richmond to host national speech, debate tournament
11/22/2023, 6 p.m.
The National Speech & Debate Association has selected the Richmond region as the host of its 2026 National Speech & Debate Tournament, an event that is expected to attract 10,000 student contestants and visitors to the area.
The competition, one of the largest academic events in the country, will take place June 14-19, 2026, according to a Richmond Region Tourism and Richmond Forum announcement.
Over the past five years, the Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative has engaged more than 1,000 students in speech and debate in the Richmond region, growing from nine teams to 28 with 43 coaches. Last year’s regional tournament circuit attracted 750 student contestants, according to the Richmond Forum.
The tournament will involve 7,000 competitors and take place in some 750 classrooms across six schools in the region.
For more details, please visit https://www.richmondforum.org.
