This guide to debate competitions will walk you through the landscape of competitive debating in North America, Europe, and worldwide. We’ll cover the most prestigious tournaments (for both university and school-level debate), regional circuits, and tips on getting ready for competition day.
The British Parliamentary (BP) debate format – sometimes called “Worlds style” – is one of the most exciting and widely-used formats in competitive debating. If you’ve ever watched or participated in tournaments like the World Universities Debating Championship, you’ve seen BP debate in action.
The Spelman College Speech and Debate Team achieved a historic victory at the 2025 HBCU National Speech and Debate Championship in Washington, D.C., earning *12 separate awards across multiple events.
