2025-2026 Tournament Schedule
This tournament calendar and dates are subject to change, but we hope this provides a good snapshot of the year ahead.
Students are not expected nor encouraged to attend every tournament. We expect competitors to commit to at least two NMSDA local tournaments (outside of State and District Nat Quals) to be considered active members of the team.
All students should submit a Tournament Interest Survey with their preliminary anticipated weekends of involvement within the first month of the season.
Priority registration for travel tournaments, the State Championship, and the Nationals District Qualifier will go to students who have been actively competing.
Semester 1
9/10 (Weds) — Capitol Congress (Santa Fe, NM)
9/27 (Sat) — East Mountain Top of the World Invitational (Sandia Park, NM)
10/25 (Sat) — CCPS Congress (Albuquerque, NM)
10/31–11/2 (Fri–Mon) — FLORIDA BLUE KEY (Gainesville, FL)
11/8 (Sat) — Eldorado (Albuquerque, NM)
12/5–12/6 (Fri–Sat) — Cleveland Eye of the Storm (Rio Rancho, NM)
12/12–12/14 (Fri–Sun) — ISIDORE NEWMAN INVITATIONAL (New Orleans, LA)
Semester 2
1/9–1/11 (Fri–Sun) — ASU HDSHC INVITATIONAL (Tempe, AZ)
1/16–1/17 (Fri–Sat) — La Cueva Cave Classic (Albuquerque, NM)
1/30–1/31 (Fri–Sat) — Cottonwood Classic (Albuquerque, NM)
2/14 (Sat) — ***State & District Congress*** (Albuquerque, NM)
2/14–2/16 (Sat–Mon) — CAL INVITATIONAL (Berkeley, CA)
2/26–2/28 (Thurs–Sat) — ***NM State Speech & Debate Championship*** (Albuquerque, NM)
3/20–3/21 (Fri–Sat) — ***District S&D National Qualifier*** (Albuquerque, NM)
SUMMER: 6/14–6/19 (Sun–Fri) — *****NSDA NATIONALS***** (Richmond, VA)
Types of Tournaments
Local Circuit — NMSDA
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Anyone on the team is welcome to compete at our local NMSDA tournaments so long as they attend the majority of practices the month prior to a tournament they are registered for (or, if needed based on practice conflicts, if they make alternate arrangements for preparation outside of practice with their captains/coaching staff).
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The majority of these are held around the ABQ-metro area, although some across NM (i.e. Santa Fe, Farmington, Los Alamos). If the tournament takes place outside of the ABQ-metro area, the school will provide transportation. Otherwise, families are responsible for all transportation to/from local circuit tournaments — carpooling with other families is often a possibility!
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For local tournaments, families are billed after each tournament for the full cost of attendance (usually a $10 registration fee + any $10-20 meal fees we may purchase as a group). See Student Billing for more information.
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See below for the full list!
Capitol Congress
East Mountain (Sept)
Navajo Prep (Oct)
Cottonwood (Nov)
Eldorado (Dec)
Cleveland (Jan)
National Circuit — UKTOC
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National circuit tournaments are largely reserved for experienced competitors who wish to pursue more rigorous, nationally diverse competition styles. These students should expect and be willing to commit to considerable additional preparation outside of practice. Entries are limited, and students must apply for consideration. High-level success at these tournaments offers the potential to qualify for the Tournament of Champions held in April.
National circuit travel is not open to 8th graders, and new members interested in competing nationally are encouraged to start with ASU in January. -
These are held all over the country, i.e. Phoenix, New Orleans, L.A., Boston. We often drive to Phoenix to save on travel costs, but most often fly to these tournaments.
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For tournaments requiring out-of-state travel, families are provided a $250 credit from the school and then billed after each tournament for the remaining cost of their student's attendance in proportion to their tuition assistance.
These tournaments can be much more expensive, often requiring airline travel, multi-night hotel stays, rental cars, and higher registration fees of up to $50. Families should make the best decisions for themselves and remember that a fulfilling competitive career is fully possible without ever pursuing national circuit travel! There are wonderful tournament opportunities both near and far.
See Student Billing for more information. -
See below for the full list! These tournaments are capitalized and italicized.
LONG BEACH (Sept)
NEWMAN (Dec)
ASU (Jan)
HARVARD (Feb)
NSDA — Districts & Nationals
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The national body of the NSDA is comprised of many smaller district committees that oversee competition in their local district, distinct from the State League (the NMSDA).
After the State Championship, students have the opportunity to compete for the chance to represent the New Mexico district at the National Championship held each third week of June.
There are multiple pathways to qualification, but the two most common ways are through the District Congress tournament in February and the District S&D National Qualifier in March.
8th graders are ineligible for the District series. -
Students who have earned a spot to Nationals via the District Qualifiers will compete and represent our district at the largest academic competition in the world!
Students can also compete at this tournament in World Schools Debate with other students from New Mexico or in supplemental events that are not typically done during the regular school year.See the NSDA Nationals page for more information.
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The NSDA also hosts free online scrimmage practice rounds for students free-of-charge several times each semester. These are fantastic ways for brand new students to get experience prior to a competition, or, for additional practice/feedback prior to a high-stakes tournament.
They are also fantastic places for brand new judges to get comfortable with judging!
Juniors and Seniors with at least 250 NSDA points are eligible to judge the "Rising Stars" divisions of these scrimmages. Get more information on the Springboard Scrimmages page.
September 2025
Capitol Congress
Tournament date: Wednesday, September 10th (9/10)
Our first tournament of the year will be the Capitol Congress tournament hosted by the New Mexico Speech & Debate Association (NMSDA). This is a fantastic first tournament for anyone new to the team!
East Mountain — Top of the World Invitational
Tournament dates: Saturday, September 27th (9/27)
Our first local tournament of the year will be the East Mountain Top of the World Invitational hosted by EMHS in Sandia Park, NM (Tijeras). It will offer all of our MAIN Speech & Debate events, but no Congress.
This tournament will be a great place to try out a new Speech or Debate event for our new members! New students are especially encouraged to attend, and varisty level / leadership team members are strongly encouraged to attend and support as well. Those with busier schedules are especially encouraged to attend, as this is a one-day tournament.
*Attendance at September practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
October 2025
Cottonwood Congress
Tournament dates: Saturday, October 25th (10/25)
The second Congress tournament of the year will be the Cottonwood Congress Invitational hosted by CCPS in Albuquerque, NM. It will offer Congressional debate only.
This tournament will be a great place for those particularly interested in Congressional debate to consider attending — debaters will benefit from “cross-training” with Congress. Those with busier schedules are especially encouraged to attend, as this is a one-day tournament.
*Attendance at October practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
November 2025
Florida Blue Key (Nat Circ)
Tournament dates: Fri to Sun, Oct 31st–Nov 2nd (10/31–11/2)
Our first national circuit tournament of the year will be the Florida Blue Key hosted by the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. It is a UKTOC bid tournament for all events we compete in.
This tournament is a great place for advanced and upper-level students to apply for consideration, particularly if they have put in extra time during the early season to be prepared to compete. Debate students interested in Newman may want to consider FBK as well for two rounds of national-circuit level debate on the Nov/Dec topics. Students must submit an application for consideration.
*Attendance at October practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
Eldorado — Winter Classic
Tournament dates: Saturday, Nov 8th (12/8)
The second local tournament of the first semester will be the Eldorado Winter Classic hosted by Eldorado HS in Albuquerque, NM.
This tournament is great for anyone who would like to get extra practice going into semester two! Those with busier schedules are especially encouraged to attend, as this is a one-day tournament.
*Attendance at some October and early November practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
December 2025
Cleveland — Eye of the Storm
Tournament dates: Fri to Sat, Dec 5th–6th (12/5–12/6)
The first two-day tournament of the season will be the Cleveland Eye of the Storm hosted by V. Sue Cleveland in Rio Rancho, NM. It will feature all of the main Speech & Debate events we compete in, but no Congress.
This tournament is great for anyone who plans to compete in semester 2 to consider as it will allow you to experience the schedule of a two-day tournament with elimination rounds. It will be a great tournament for all members to consider attending.
*Attendance at November practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
Isidore Newman School Invitational (Nat Circ)
Tournament dates: Fri to Sun, Dec 12th–14th, (12/12–12/14)
Our second national circuit tournament of the year will be the Newman Invitational Tournament hosted by Isidore Newman in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is a UKTOC bid tournament for all events we compete in.
This tournament is a great place for advanced and upper-level students to apply for consideration, particularly seniors who will have completed the bulk of their earlier college applications. Students must submit an application for consideration.
*Attendance at November practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
January 2026
ASU — HDSHC Invitational (Nat Circ)
Tournament date: Fri–Sun, 1/10–1/12
Our third national circuit tournament of the year will be the HDSHC (Hugh Downs School of Human Communication) Tournament hosted by ASU in Tempe, Arizona. It is a UKTOC bid tournament for all events we compete in.
This is our friendliest and easiest tournament to attend for students newer to the national circuit who wish to try national-level competition. It is a great place for advanced and upper-level students to apply for consideration, particularly if they are willing to work over Winter Break to ensure that they are prepared to compete. Students must submit an application for consideration.
*Attendance at December practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
La Cueva — Cave Classic
Tournament dates: Fri to Sat, Jan 16th–17th (1/16–1/17)
Our fourth local S&D tournament of the year and the first of Semester 2 will be the La Cueva Cave Classic hosted by LCHS in Albuquerque, NM. It will offer all of our MAIN Speech & Debate events and a few additional supplemental events, but no Congress.
This tournament will be a great place for students to jump-start their semester 2 tournaments and help prepare for the State and District tournaments in February and March.
*Attendance at December practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
CCPS — Cottonwood Classic
Tournament dates: Fri to Sat, Jan 30th–31st, (1/30–1/31)
Our fifth and final regular season local tournament of the year, prior to the State and District tournaments, will be the Cottonwood Classic hosted by CCPS in Albuquerque, NM. It will offer all of our MAIN Speech & Debate events and a few additional supplemental events, but no Congress.
This tournament will be a great place for students to complete their local competition and help prepare for the State and District tournaments in February and March.
*Attendance at January practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
February 2025
Congress District Qualifier / State Championship
Tournament date: Saturday, Feb. 14th (2/14)
Our first tournament in the end-of-season championships/qualifiers is the NM District Congress National Qualifier/Congress State Championship hosted by the NM District Committee at the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque, NM. The top-performing students will qualify for the NSDA National Championship in June and the top-placing student in each NM District Tournament Congress event (Senate & House) will be named the NMSDA State Champions in Congressional Debate.
This is one of the first pathways that students can pursue to qualify for Nationals, and our participation in this tournament helps maximize the amount of slots that the NM District gets generally to send students from New Mexico to Nationals!
*Attendance at February practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
Berkeley — Cal Invitational (Nat Circ)
Tournament date: Sat to Mon, Feb 14th–16th (2/14–2/16)
Our fourth and final national circuit tournament of the year will be the Cal Invitational hosted by the Berkeley University in Berkeley, California. It is a UKTOC bid tournament for all events we compete in.
This is the most rigorous and prestigious national circuit tournament that we attend and is great opportunity for advanced and upper-level students to apply for consideration, particularly if they put in considerable time and preparation. Students must submit an application for consideration.
*Attendance at February practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
NMSDA State Speech & Debate Championship
Tournament dates: Thurs to Sat, Feb 26th–28th (2/26–2/28)
The culmination of our local NMSDA competition season, the State Speech & Debate Championship will be hosted the New Mexico Speech & Debate Association at (TBD) in Albuquerque, NM. It will offer all of our MAIN Speech & Debate events in an end-of-season championship showcase.
This tournament will be a great place for students to culminate their local competition season and attempt to earn a State Championship title prior to the District National Qualifier in March.
*Attendance at February practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
March 2025
NM District National Qualifier — Speech & Debate
Tournament dates: Fri to Sat, March 20th–21st (3/20–3/21)
The final competitive opportunity of the year for students, the District National Qualifier for Speech & Debate will be hosted by the NM District Committee at Albuquerque Academy in ABQ, NM. Only students in grades 9-12 are eligible to compete in this qualifier for NSDA Nationals, and students must meet other eligibility requirements. See NSDA Nationals for more information.
This tournament is great for anyone who hopes to reach the achievement of qualifying for the National Championship, an incredible honor for high school students. Please note that the National Championship will require a one-week period of travel and availability from 6/13-6/19 for those who qualify and wish to attend.
*Attendance at March practices is required to register unless other arrangements are made with coaching staff.
June 2026
NSDA National Championship
Tournament dates: Saturday to Friday, 6/13–6/19
The culminating tournament of our season is held the third week of June each year. Students who qualify for Nationals are eligible to attend this week-long national championship hosted by the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) in Des Moines, Iowa. There are multiple pathways for students to qualify for Nationals; see NSDA Nationals for more information.
This tournament is an incredible honor for any student to attend. Please note that the National Championship will require a one-week period of travel and availability from 6/13-6/19 for those who qualify and wish to partake.