Happy holidays! We at Union Debate are busy working on a block file for you guys. But what use is a block file if there’s no tournaments for you to go to? That’s why we’re dedicated to bringing you information about virtual, independent entry friendly national tournaments. Here are two tournaments for January-February 2025.

Columbia Invitational

Dates: 1/31-2/2

Registration Deadline: 1/19

Type: Virtual

Cost: $85 per Varsity LD entry, $75 per Novice LD entry

Independent Entries ALLOWED BUT WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS

• Must be representing an accredited institution

• Must have approval from administration and coaching staff

• Must be under the actual name of your institution (no “____ Independent”)

• Must have a responsible adult Tabroom contact reachable during all competition hours

• Experienced, national-circuit judge

Judging Obligation: 1 judge for every two teams, judge through octafinals and 1 round over most successful debater

Hired Judge rate: $300 (limited availability)

Other notes: 5 minutes prep time

You may need to skip parts of the school day on 1/31 depending on your schedule and time zone.

https://www.tabroom.com/index/tourn/index.mhtml?tourn_id=33361

Stanford Invitational

Dates: 2/8-2/10

Registration Deadline: 1/10 (recommended, see the tournament invitation for more details)

Type: Virtual

Cost: $75 per LD entry, +$50 per entry Unaffiliated Entry fee if debating independently

Independent Entries ALLOWED 

• Must fill out “Individual Waiver” and “Parent/Guardian Permission Letter” (see invitation for more details)

• Must have a responsible adult Tabroom contact reachable during all competition hours

• Experienced, national-circuit judge

Judging Obligation: 1 judge for every two teams

Hired Judge rate:

• $75 per round for TOC LD Divisions

• $250 per entry for all other divisions 

Other notes: Four divisions:

1. TOC (Progressive, circuit debate)

2. California (Traditional Debate, no plans, counterplans)

3. JV (grades 6-11)

4. MS (grades 6-8)

5. Novice (no experience prior to August 2024)

Four minutes prep time

You may need to skip parts of the school day on 2/10 depending on your schedule and time zone.

https://www.tabroom.com/index/tourn/index.mhtml?tourn_id=30931

http://goto.stanford.edu/si/invitation

Once again, happy holidays and thank you for reading!