How It Works
Learn to think on your feet, speak with conviction, and hear the other side. Watch, train, or jump right in. Your first event is free.
THE PROCESS
No experience needed. Show up, take it in, and start training.
FIND YOUR EVENT
Browse what's coming up. Club sessions, workshops, tournaments, open practices, and community events — all in one place. Pick one and show up.
Browse EventsSIGN UP AND TRAIN
Registration takes 30 seconds. Browse the topic, research both sides, and form your own take. Training tools help you sharpen your thinking whether you're debating or just following along.
Debater's GuideWATCH, PARTICIPATE, OR COMPETE
Start by watching — most people do. Join in by giving feedback, asking questions, or weighing in during discussion. When you're ready to debate, you get scored on arguments, delivery, and refutation. Real feedback, not just applause.
How Scoring WorksJOIN THE COMMUNITY
The people you train with become the people you know. Start a club, join one, or just keep showing up. This is how it grows.
Start a ClubYOUR FIRST CLUB MEETING
Most people start at a club meeting. Here's how a typical session runs.
WHAT YOU'LL DEBATE
Topics vary by event. Some are announced ahead of time, some are voted on by the audience, and some are assigned on the spot. You might argue for something you believe in, or against it. That's the point.
COMMON QUESTIONS
First-timers always ask these. Here are the honest answers.
More questions? Visit the full FAQ
WHAT A DEBATE LOOKS LIKE
This is the structure debaters follow during a round. Each side gets time to speak, question, and respond.
This is the default structure. Your organizer might shorten rounds, drop cross-examination, or adjust for the group. Nobody memorizes this on night one. The organizer walks everyone through it before the first round starts.
Opening Speech
Cross-Examination
Opening Speech
Cross-Examination
Rebuttal
Rebuttal
Closing Statement
Closing Statement
WHAT ORGANIZERS CAN CUSTOMIZE
Team Size
Solo debates, 2v2, 3v3, or any combination. No limit, asymmetric teams welcome.
Speech Length
2 to 10 minutes per speech. Short for casual rounds, long for championship depth.
Round Structure
Add or skip rounds to fit your event. Drop cross-examination for speed, add extra rebuttals for rigor.
Total Duration
15 minutes for a quick round. 60+ for a deep dive. The format scales to fit.
Want the full speech-by-speech breakdown with scoring criteria?
View Full Format GuideCHOOSE YOUR ROLE
Everyone plays a part. Find yours.
WHERE IT GOES
Clubs are the starting line, not the finish.
CLUB NIGHTS
Weekly sessions at coworking spaces, libraries, and community venues. Show up, debate, get better. This is where everyone starts.
CITY TOURNAMENTS
Compete against other clubs in your city. Cash prizes, live audiences, real stakes. Winners advance.
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Regional and national stages with professional production, streaming, and media coverage. The best debaters in the country, competing for titles.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Find an event near you, start training, or build your own club. All you need is curiosity.
“In an era of decreasing attention spans and increasing polarization, SuperDebate stands as a counter-cultural force — training a new generation to think deeply, speak clearly, and listen genuinely.”
New to debate? Read the Debater's Guide