HARVARD

Dear Coaches,
We are delighted to invite you to attend the annual Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament, which will be held in person on Presidents' Day Weekend, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday, February 14-16, 2026.

Hospitality. We will be providing breakfast to participants in all events. Coaches and judges will still be provided with breakfast and lunch in the lounges at each site. These hospitality costs are included in the entry fees.

We look forward to seeing you in Cambridge once again!

Event Specific Rules, Locations, Procedures, and Eligibility
Due to scheduling conflicts, no student may enter more than one of the following events.

The Public Forum Debate Tournament
Location: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School 459 Broadway Ct, Cambridge, MA 02138
Four divisions will be in-person: Varsity PF, Junior Varsity PF, and Novice PF, & Middle School PF
Two divisions will be online: Beginner PF & Open PF.

In-Person Divisions
All divisions will use the National Speech & Debate Association time format and rules. We encourage coaches to enter students in the division that best approximates their skill and experience level, and we leave that judgment up to you. The novice division is intended for high school students in their first year of competition. The middle school division is intended for students in the sixth through eighth grade.
In the Junior Varsity division, there will be an international schools breakout division in the elimination rounds. To be eligible to participate in the breakout, students must attend a school located outside of the United States and indicate so when entering the tournament.
We will start with the following entry limits, but will adjust them as necessary and as we can secure the necessary rooms:
Varsity: 325 teams. Middle School: 200 teams
Junior Varsity: 225 teams Novice: 250 teams

Online Divisions
We will offer two online international divisions for students who are unable to travel to Cambridge, including those from the United States. There will be no entry limits.
The Open International Division is open to all participants. The Beginner International Division is open to students in their first or second year of competition; it is intended for middle school and novice high school competitors.

Vital Stats:

Varsity: 6 preliminary rounds, clear to partial-quads.
Junior Varsity: 6 Preliminary Rounds, Clear to Triple Octafinals.
- JV International Schools – Breakout to Quarterfinals.
Novice, Middle School: 5 preliminary rounds, clear to Triple Octa-finals.
Beginner and Open International Online: 5 preliminary rounds, clear to Doubles.

The Lincoln-Douglas Debate Tournament
Location: East Somerville Community School. 81 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
NB: We will run a continuous shuttle stopping at the Science Center (IE) - CRLS (PF) - and E. Somerville HS (LD).
There will be two divisions, varsity and junior-varsity. Both will use the January-February National Speech and Debate Association topic and time limits. We encourage coaches to enter students in the division that best approximates their skill and experience level, and we leave that judgment up to you. We will utilize a mutual preference judging system for the Varsity division.
Both divisions of LD will use the Jan/Feb NSDA topic (nuclear weapons).
Judging: In LD, we will continue to use round commitments for judging and will accordingly request that all coaches who plan to be on site at the LD tournament be in the pool for at least 1 debate. We will also shift to ordinal ranking for MPJ judge placement.
All judges must post a paradigm on Tabroom.com and must have a high school diploma in order to be qualified to judge in either division. It is the affirmative obligation of all individuals who are coaching and/or sharing materials with other schools/debaters in private prep sharing arrangements to actively conflict themselves from judging those students/schools.
Due to room limits, we will start with the following limits:
Varsity - 220 entries
Junior Varsity - 180 entries
Vital Stats:
Varsity - 6 prelims, all 4-2s clear to partial quads. Initial entry limit of 220.
Junior Varsity - 6 prelims, clears to triples. Initial entry limit of 180.

The Speech Tournament
Location: Harvard Campus - Science Center and surrounding buildings, 1 Oxford St, Cambridge MA 01238
The tournament will feature competition in eight events with initial entry limits as listed (and adjusted should more rooms become available)

Original oratory - 350 entries
Extemporaneous speaking (no foreign/domestic split) - 280 entries
Dramatic interpretation - 244 entries
Informative speaking - 189 entries
Program oral interpretation - 175 entries
Impromptu Speaking - 140 entries
Humorous interpretation - 130 entries
Duo interpretation - 105 entries

Double-entry is permitted, and triple-entry is not unheard of. Triple-entries will receive lowest priority once the waitlist is active. National Speech & Debate Association rules will govern all competitions. Objections must be brought to the attention of the tournament director in a timely manner. Judges will be required to submit ranks and ballots electronically. Elimination rounds will be sectioned by preliminary round seeds to balance out the competition.
Vital Stats: Prelims: 4. Elims: Octafinals, or Double-Octafinals for events with more than 300 entries.

General Tournament Rules

Judge Requirements
All judges provided by schools must be qualified, which at a minimum means a high school diploma.
In Speech, judges must be available for the entire tournament, including through the final round.
In LD and PF, all judges must be available for all preliminary rounds, the first elimination round, and for one round beyond elimination of the last contestant from the school that the judge represents in the tournament.
All schools providing judges for the debate tournaments with divisions should be flexible as to which division judges are assigned. The tournament may need to balance the divisions and place judges appropriately.
All judges are bound by the codes of conduct governing activities at Harvard College and those promulgated by the NSDA. Judges will be required to attest that they have read and understand these codes of conduct before being able to judge. Instructions will be provided closer to the start of the tournament.
Judges may not simultaneously judge at any other tournaments. If we discover that you are doing so, we will remove you from the judge pool and notify the other tournament.
Any complaints about judge qualifications must be addressed to the appropriate tab room prior to or immediately after the competition involved. All tab room directors have been authorized to impose penalties against schools whose judges do not appear for the rounds to which they have been assigned.
Elimination Round ParticipationWe expect participants in the various tournaments to compete in the elimination rounds. Debaters who choose not to debate rounds for any reason (other than that they are scheduled against another competitor from the same school) will be treated as having forfeited the round. The tournaments will no longer certify “co-champions” in final rounds.

Conduct Policy
The tournament strives to foster an environment promoting inclusivity and respect. The tournament will abide by Harvard College’s policies and procedures for sexual, gender-based, and racial harassment and discrimination. The Interim Policy on Sexual Harassment and the Interim Policy on Other Sexual Misconduct are available here: https://titleix.harvard.edu/policies-procedures. Per its regulations, Harvard College has a designated representative of its Title IX office to receive any complaints directly or indirectly by means of the tournament director. The tournament will also abide by policies governing codes of conduct within the Harvard community, including those prohibiting racial discrimination and harassment. They are available here: https://handbook.fas.harvard.edu/book/conduct-within-community.

Tournament Ombuds Committee
The tournament will designate an ombuds committee of three individuals to receive complaints and concerns regarding equity issues. Please note that this is not the appropriate place to report sexual or racial discrimination and harassment as detailed in the prior section; those reports should be made to the Tournament Director directly who will report to the appropriate Harvard offices. Additionally, concerns about tournament procedure and tabulation should be reported to your event’s tab room.

Online Technology Policies: Recording, Observers, Platforms
Recording: For the privacy and protection of students and other participants, any recording of speeches is prohibited, with the exception that students are permitted to record their own speeches.
Observers: Observers are permitted but must remain on mute, with videos off at all times, and rename themselves as “Observer -- Name.” All observers must be affiliated with an institution with active entries at the tournament and must be registered as an observer to the roster of that institution. Any individuals who wish to observe will need: (A) to have a tabroom.com account, (B) be added as competitors or judges to the team roster, (C) have their account linked, and (D) entered into the “Observer Division” as a competitor or as a judge. Unregistered observers will not be able to access the classrooms.cloud zoom rooms. The tournament reserves the right to remove any observers from any room at any time.
Alternative Platforms: For the safety of all participants, no one (judge, coach, student) may switch their rounds to an alternative video platform outside of the tournament hosted rooms. If anyone suggests moving to an alternative platform, please alert tournament personnel immediately. Judges who move to a separate platform will be fined as if they did not judge their rounds and removed from the tournament.
Judge Video: The tournament believes that competitors deserve to be able to see their judges as much as possible. Accordingly, to the maximum extent possible, the cameras of competitors and judges should be on (and on them) while a student is speaking and during RFDs. Brief pauses are understandable. To the extent needed, cameras can be off to enhance streaming quality.
AI PoliciesIn events in which speeches must be the original created work of a competitor (OO, Informative, Extemp, Impromptu) students are prohibited from quoting or paraphrasing text directly from generative AI sources. Generative AI should not be cited as a source. The exception is that a student delivering a speech about the topic of AI may quote AI to illustrate their points about AI, in accordance with existing quoted word limits. While generative AI may be used to guide students to articles, ideas, and sources, the original source of any quoted or paraphrased evidence must be available if requested.
In debate events, generative AI should not be cited as a source; while generative AI may be used to guide students to articles, ideas, and sources, the original source of any quoted or paraphrased evidence must be available if requested.
In Interpretation events, students are prohibited from performing material created by generative AI sources. Generative AI should not be used as a source of material; while generative AI may be used to guide students to articles, ideas, and material, the original source of any material that is performed must be available if requested.

For those planning to travel on their own

Hotel Block Information
The Harvard Debate Council has arranged several hotel blocks throughout Boston and Cambridge. To make reservations, either use the link provided or call the number listed directly. Additional blocks and reservation links will be added as they become available. In most cases, you can always call the hotel directly and ask to reserve rooms in the Harvard Debate block.

Marriott Cambridge Center -- 2 Cambridge Center, Cambridge -- $210
Next door to the Kendall Square T-stop, for a quick ride straight to Harvard and from the airport - no rental cars required. A restaurant is located on property, with several more food options in the area. Conference space will be available on Friday for student congregation and luggage storage. Please download the following forms and email them to the address provided: Marriott School Reservation Form & Marriott Rooming List Form
Hyatt Regency Cambridge, 575 Memorial Drive, Cambridge -- $199/229
Situated on the Charles River, a five-minute drive to Harvard. The Hyatt is a spectacular property. Reservations can be made at this link: Hyatt Booking Link. Cutoff date is Jan 22.
Le Meridien Cambridge -- 20 Sidney St, Cambridge, MA 02139 -- $209
Le Meridien is a 4 Diamond rated property, located 3 blocks walking distance from the Central Square subway stop on the Red Line, one stop to Harvard Square. Sydney's Grille located on property. Lots of food and shopping are available in the neighborhood. Grocery store is located in the same complex. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet is available in all guestrooms and public areas. Cutoff date is Jan 13. Le Meridien Booking Link.
Liberty Hotel Boston -- $259
Conveniently located next to the MGH/Charles St. T stop on the red line (3 stops from Harvard Square). The Liberty Hotel is a spectacular renovation of the old Suffolk County Jail. It offers easy access to a wealth of outdoor activities, shopping, dining, entertainment venues, and downtown Boston. Luxurious beds, baths, HD LCD Televisions available. Destination is waived for the tournament block. Cutoff date is Jan 23. Liberty Hotel Booking Link
Boston Marriott Newton 2345 Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA 02466 - $110
Boston Marriott Newton for 110.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book : Friday, January 16, 2026 Book your group rate for Harvard Debate at the Marriott Newron
Freepoint Hotel by Hilton -- 220 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA 02138 -- $142
Located very close to Harvard with easy access to all venues, the hotel offers complimentary hot breakfast and bus parking. Reservations can be made until January 12, 2026. Please click here to reserve: Freepoint Hilton Booking Link
Royal Sonesta Boston, 40 Edwin H Land Blvd, Cambridge, MA 02142 – $209
The hotel is conveniently located along the Charles River and within a short walk to the Lechmere T Station where you can connect to the Red Line or a 10 minute walk or drive to the Kendall Square T Station for direct T access to Harvard University. Cutoff: Jan 31.
Indoor swimming pool and 24 hour fitness center onsite. Sonesta Booking Link.
Residence Inn Cambridge, 120 Broadway, 6th St, Cambridge, MA 02142 - $211/241
Next door to the Cambridge Center Marriott and the T, for a quick ride straight to Harvard. Reservations can be made at this link: Residence Inn Cambridge Booking Link
Wyndham Beacon Hill, Blossom St, Boston, MA 02114 - $179
Wyndham property on Beacon Hill near the Charles/MGH red line stop. To make a reservation, please call Nicole Caraglia, Sales Manager, 617.239.2404, [email protected] to receive the group rate.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston Brookline-Longwood Medical - $189
Located in boston. daily free hot breakfast and a full in-suite kitchen. Homewood Suites booking link
Hilton Garden Inn Brookline. 700 Brookline Ave, Brookline MA 02446 – $199
The property is located across the river about 10 minutes from Harvard. Cutoff date: Jan 15. Hilton Garden Inn Booking Link
AC Hotel Boston/Cambridge - $TBD
Westin Copley Place Boston, 10 Huntington Ave, Boston -- $TBD
Beautiful hotel next to the Back Bay train station and Copley Square in Boston.
Courtyard Marriott Brookline, 40 Webster St, Brookline, MA 02446 -- $TBD
Located in Brookline, just across the river from Cambridge.

Flight Discount Information

Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for Harvard Debate Council
Please click here to book your flights.
You may also call Conferences and Events® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code NY49K
*Please note there is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.

HARVARD NATIONAL SPEECH AND DEBATE TOURNAMENT

14-16 February 2026

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