October 16, 2026 · Online tournament
A full day of one-on-one debate, open to everyone. Compete in three guaranteed rounds, meet people who love a good argument, and earn your place in the championship bracket.
First-time competitors welcome. No teammate needed.
Your place in the Open
Same tournament. Two ways to cover your judge. Every entry includes three preliminary rounds and a place in the playoffs if you qualify.
$25USD / competitor
Three guaranteed preliminary rounds, plus semifinals and the final if you advance. Bring a friend, coach, or club member to join the judging pool.
$150USD / competitor
Three guaranteed preliminary rounds, plus semifinals and the final if you advance. We arrange a certified SuperDebate judge; the judge day rate is included.
The format
You compete solo in a private video room, with a live judge and a clear structure. Each round takes roughly 30 minutes.
Topics span Technology & AI, Politics & Policy, Culture & Society, Business & Economics. You don’t need a prepared speech or a tournament résumé—just a webcam, a microphone, and a willingness to think on your feet.
Thirty minutes before each round, you receive three topic options. The negative side strikes one; the affirmative chooses from the remaining two.
Win or lose, you debate all three preliminaries. Each round is a fresh topic and another opportunity to make your case.
The top four advance: first plays fourth, second plays third. The semifinal winners meet in the final to decide the first Open champion.
Three full SuperDebates, recorded live. This is the format you will be competing in.
Friday, October 16
Check in at 11 AM Eastern. Three preliminary rounds lead into the semifinal bracket, the final, and awards.
All times are ET. This is the proposed schedule and may shift with the field size. Your video room link arrives with each round’s topic reveal.
Choose your entry →Strike & confirm
Strike & confirm
Strike & confirm
Final preliminary round
Top 4 advance
Strike & confirm
Strike & confirm
Something to play for
Cash prizes for the champion and runner-up, with bonus awards from our sponsors. The full prize breakdown will be announced as partners confirm.
Cash prize + sponsor bonus
Cash prize + sponsor bonus
Sponsor bonus prizes
Bring your own, or let us arrange one. Either way, it's covered before you're paired
A coach, club member, or debate-savvy friend can join the judging pool. We send them the scoring criteria and round schedule ahead of time.
Add judge arrangement at registration and we pair you with a certified SuperDebate judge for your rounds.
Want to judge the Open instead of competing?
Apply to JudgeThe cash prizes and bonus awards come from partners who back better arguments
Put your brand in front of every debater, judge, and viewer at the Open.
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