FCDI National Civics and Debate Championship

General information	Files for download	Tournament schedule	Fees	Registration handbook

General information

This is a High School tournament in Florida.

View manager contact information

TOURNAMENT NAME AND #

This is a Middle/High School tournament in Orlando Florida.

You are cordially invited to the FCDI National Civics and Debate Championship, to be held January 16th,2026 - January 19th,2026.  Lodging will be at the Caribe Royale Orlando, 8101 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821.  Competition will take place at off site locations TBD.  Bus transportation will be provided from the Caribe Royal Orlando to the competition venues. This tournament will be live, in person.

This Northeast FCDI Tournament offers Middle School (5^th – 8^th grade), high school novice (first year competing ever), and high school varsity (has competed for more than one year) competition. All schools are welcome to compete.

This tournament will be a 4 day triathalon event.  All students MUST compete in Legislative Debate, Impromptu Speaking, and Extemporaneous Debate.

The full schedule can be found in the Schedule tab on the Speechwire registration page for the tournament.

Applications for admission to the tournament will open September 1st, 2025.

EVENTS and DIVISIONS: We offer middle school (M), novice (N), and varsity (V) divisions. If numbers allow, we will offer separate middle school and novice divisions. We reserve the right to combine divisions. If we combine divisions, there will be a Middle and Novice winner also chosen. 

No Double Entry.  If a coach submits the same student for two events, that student will be automatically disqualified for both events.

EVENTS INCLUDE:

• EXTEMPORANEOUS DEBATE (EXTD)
• LEGISLATIVE DEBATE (LEG)
• IMPROMPTU SPEAKING (IMP)

Observers are allowed.

TOPICS: Topics for some events may be pre-announced (see below). Participants should familiarize themselves with potential topics/resolutions and prepare accordingly.

Impromptu Topics: Topic Areas: TOPIC AREAS TBA

Extemporaneous Debate Topic Areas: TOPIC AREAS TBA

Legislative Debate Topics: Legislation will be found in the "Files for Download" tab when released.

JUDGES: FCDI JUDGING REQUIREMENTS

Because tournaments rely on volunteer judges, recruiting and training judges is vital.  Judges must be trained via the Canvas courses provided by FDI to fulfill your judge obligations.  If you bring judges that are not trained, the missing judge fee will apply. The FCDI requires teams provide judges proportional to the number of students they have registered for a given tournament.

• Judges will be in one pool and will judge all 3 events.
               

For every two entries (individuals or teams), one judge must be registered.

Additional speech, debate, and judging resources can be found here: HANDBOOK LINK

Adults and coaches may judge any division. Judges must be trained. It is the affirmative duty of the coach to ensure that all judges must be approved as vetted volunteers through their district’s volunteer system.

At every FCDI tournament, a team member will present a judge orientation, event overview, and answer any final questions judges may have. On-site judge training will be available the first day.

If a judge misses a round, other than in the case of an emergency, the team they are representing will be charged a $100.00 missed round fee.

CONCESSIONS: Concessions (pizza, snacks, drinks, etc.) will be available for purchase. NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR BEVERAGES PERMITTED. Host schools use concessions as a fundraiser. Support your tournament host by purchasing food on site.

COACHES: All teams must have either a coach or assistant coach present at every event the team participates in for the duration of the tournament. If an FCDI registered coach cannot attend the tournament, coaches may designate a proxy coach on a per tournament basis. This change must be asked for in writing and approved by the FCDI. Proxy coach requests must be submitted with a letter from the principal stating that the proxy coach is approved to supervise the students. Any team found in violation of this rule will be disqualified from the tournament and asked to leave. A letter will also be sent to the school principal notifying them of this rule violation

TOURNAMENT CONTACTS:

Claude Smith
FCDI Program Manager
Email: claude.smith@fldoe.org
Phone: 352-210-9825

Regional Ambassador Name
Regional Ambassador
Email:
Phone:

FLORIDA CIVICS AND DEBATE INITIATIVE CONTACT INFORMATION:

John Duebel
Director, Florida Civics and Debate Initiative 

Email address: John.Duebel1@fldoe.org
Phone number: 850-245-0504

The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative is proud to partner with the Florida Debate Initiative, which manages the Regional Ambassadors who facilitate our tournaments and help bring our mission to life.

Florida Civics and Debate Initiative Handbook

Click here to view the FCDI handbook

Manager contact information

Claude Smith
Email address: Claude.Smith@fldoe.org
Phone number: (352)210-9825

Mailing address

325 W.Gaines St., Suite 1524
Tallahassee, FL 32399