Dear Coach: We hope this finds you well. If you have not seen our 'NIETOC Stands with Minnesota' letter, you can find that here -- https://nietoc.org/nietoc-minnesota-support-letter/

 

We are proud to extend this invitation for you and any qualified students to participate in the 2026 National Individual Events Tournament of Champions. To see if you have qualified students, you will want to read the details found here -- https://www.speechwire.com/files/20612-2026%20QUALIFICATION%20METHODS.pdf

 

You can also search our 25-26 earned bid database here -- https://nietoc.org/qualifying-tournament-results/

 

The NIETOC is committed to bringing the nation's best and brightest students and teachers together to participate in a high-caliber and high-quality national speech tournament. The NIETOC is designed to give competitors an amazing competitive experience, with a student-centered schedule, competitive costs, and minimal judge requirements.

 

Our 2026 tournament will be hosted by Justin Bertram of Shakopee HS in Shakopee, MN (part of the Twin Cities metro area). Our tournament hotel information and reservation details will be posted asap under ‘Files for Download.’

While there is certainly helpful information on our website (www.nietoc.org), most of the pertinent details for 2026 will be found on our SpeechWire page -- https://www.speechwire.com/c-info.php?tournid=20612

 

The entire NIETOC Board is hopeful that many of you can join us for what will be our 17th national tournament intended to celebrate, once again, the power of the spoken word.

 

Some of the key aspects of the 2026 competition include:

 

-Four preliminary rounds in all individual events. This year’s tournament will be flighted:  Round 1A -- DI, IX, HI, OO. Round 1B -- DUO, INF, POI, USX.

 

-Students may enter a maximum of two main events, which may be in the same flight. One exception is that Extemporaneous speakers will need to choose between USX and IX; they are welcome to double in a non-extemp event.

 

-Supplemental Events. We will offer Poetry, Prose, Expository (all 5-minute maximum) along with Impromptu (7-minute max for both prep and speaking) for those students not advancing to main event elimination rounds. 

 

-Students may pre-register for a maximum of two supplemental events and will then re-register (to confirm participation) on Saturday morning of the competition, once main event breaks are posted.

 

-Two bonus entries (per school) are available in supplemental events this year. Please see details under ‘Files for Download.’

 

-Extemp & Impromptu Topics will be thematic in nature with those themes posted in late April or early May.

 

-2026 NSDA qualifiers earn one bid in that event, if qualification occurs before March 31st. Your 2025 and 2026 state tournaments may also provide opportunities to qualify. Again, please read the ‘How To Qualify’ section carefully for other tournament results that may help your student earn acceptance. 

 

To confirm bid status (from our regular season bid tournaments or last year’s NIETOC) please check our website and the searchable bid recipient database: https://nietoc.org/qualifying-tournament-results/ Previous and current year post-season bids are not reflected in this database and will be independently confirmed.

 

-The initial entry deadline is March 31, with a 24-hour late registration window. Entries will not be accepted after April 1. 

All of the pertinent information regarding the many aspects of this year’s competition can be found under our SpeechWire ‘Files for Download’ here -- https://www.speechwire.com/c-files.php?tournid=20612 

 

ALL ENTRIES WILL INITIALLY BE ON THE WAITING LIST UNTIL VERIFICATION OF RESULTS IS CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTANCE IS GRANTED. 

 

If you have any questions, please email us at info@nietoc.org. We look forward to hosting you at our 2026 NIETOC Experience!

 

-The NIETOC Executive Committee

(vr24)