Tournaments

Competition in the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) takes place at tournaments hosted by participating universities across the United States. Commonly, these events run from Friday to Sunday, with team division (TIPDA) debate taking place on Friday and all four individual divisions competing from Saturday to Sunday. The number of preliminary debate rounds ranges from four in the team division to six or seven in the individual divisions. These preliminary rounds are immediately followed by single-elimination rounds, where the top debaters compete against one another for the championship title. Awards are presented for speaking points accumulated and rounds won, both on an individual and overall program level.  

All members of the DBU Debate Program are required to attend six preliminary tournaments during the academic year as well as the IPDA National Championship Tournament in the Spring.

Nationwide Competition

• 8+ tournaments a year
• Travel through the Southeastern United States
• Weekend competitions

All Expenses Paid

• University-arranged transportation
• Hotels
• Meals
• Tournament fees

Rewards and Recognition

• Local & regional competitions
• National championship tournament
• Individual & overall awards
• Season-long rankings

Fall 2025 Schedule

• Lee College "Mendoza Debates" Tournament
  • Location: Baytown, TX
  • Date: September 25th - 28th, 2025

• Mississippi State University "StarkVegas Invitational" Tournament
  
  • Location: Starkville, MS
  • Date: October 9th - 12th, 2025

• University of Arkansas "Razorback Rumble" Virtual Tournament
  • Location: Virtual
  • Date: October 17th - 19th, 2025

• Louisiana State University in Shreveport "Red River Swing" Tournament
  • Location: Shreveport, LA
  • November 6th - 9th, 2025

Spring 2026 Schedule

• Arkansas State University "Southern Forensic Championship Tournament"
  • Location: Jonesboro, AR
  • Date: January 29th - February 1st, 2026

• Union University "Bulldog Bowl" Virtual Tournament
  • Location: Virtual
  • Date: February 6th - 8th, 2026

• Bossier Parish Community College "Eddy Shell Invitational" Tournament
  • Location: Bossier, TX
  • Date: February 19th - 22nd, 2026

• University of Central Arkansas "End of Hi-Bear-Nation" Tournament
  • Location: Conway, AR
  • Date: March 12th - 15th, 2026

• Dallas Baptist University "DBU Invitational" Tournament
  • Location: Dallas, TX
  • Date: March 20th - 22nd, 2026

• Middle Tennessee State University "IPDA National Championship Tournament and Convention"
  • Location: Murfreesboro, TN
  • Date: April 8th - 12th, 2026