TCFL Fall Open Speech & Debate Tournament
& TCFL Annual Workshop

Saturday, October 18th - Sunday, October 19th, 2025

Burbank HS

902 N. Third St.

Burbank, CA 91502

Entry Fees

$20 per Speech (excluding DUO/Improv DUO) and LD entry, $40 per Debate (excluding LD) and DUO/Improv DUO entry. Please pay your TCFL and CHSSA Dues if this is your first tournament of the season. Make checks payable toTri-County Forensic League. $40 per WSD for TCFL member schools, $50 per WSD entry for non-TCFL members.

World Schools Debate

TCFL will continue to offer World Schools Debate at our Debate tournaments. In addition, registration for WSD (and ONLY WSD) will be open to non-TCFL member schools. Hybrid teams WILL be allowed. For TCFL members, the entry fee for WSD will be $40 (the same for all team entries), and for non-TCFL members, the entry fee for WSD will be $50.

Tentative Schedules

Saturday, October 18th - Speech

08:00am - 08:30am - Registration (Coaches & Judges)

08:30am - 9:30am - Judge Orientation

09:30am - 11:30am - Round 1

11:30am - 01:30pm - Round 2

01:30pm - 02:00pm - Lunch Break

02:00pm - 04:00pm - Round 3

05:00pm - 06:30pm - Final Round

Awards to follow immediately after in the Cafeteria!

Sunday, October 19th - Debate

08:00am - 08:30am - Registration (Coaches & Judges)

08:30am - 9:30am - Judge Orientation

09:30am - 11:30am - Round I

11:30am - 01:30pm - Rd II

01:30pm - 02:00pm - Lunch Break

02:00pm - 04:00pm - Rd III (Hi-Low Power Match within brackets)

04:30pm - 06:30pm - Round IV (Hi-Low Power Match within brackets)

Awards to follow immediately after in the Cafeteria!

Debate Topics

2025-2026 Policy Debate Topic: "Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic."

September/October Lincoln Douglas Debate Topic: "Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, plea bargaining is just."

September/October Public Forum Debate Topic: "Resolved: The United Kingdom should rejoin the European Union."

Parliamentary Debate: Topics announced 20 minutes before round.

World Schools Debate: Round 1 & 2 Prepared Motion: TBD (teams debate both sides), Rounds 3 & 4 Impromptu Motions

Judges

Judges ARE allowed to be entered in both judge categories (Speech on Saturday, Debate on Sunday).

Speech Judges

Each school is obligated to provide one qualified judge per every 6 Speech entries, or fraction thereof.

Debate Judges

Each school is obligated to provide one qualified judge per every 2 Policy, Parli, PF, and WSD teams,* and one qualified judge per every 4 LD entries.* If your judging quota is not met, your entries may be dropped. Judges should have pens, flow pads, and laptops.

* or fraction thereof

Entry Deadline

Entries must be registered no later than Friday, October 10th, 2025, by 11:55pm. Register at Tabroom.com. E-mail Brandon Batham at brandonbatham@gmail.com for any questions. Entries will only be accepted by coaches on contact sheet.

Because of the differences that exist in human perception, a subjective quality is present in the scoring of Speech and Debate rounds. Even with rules and evaluation criteria for guidance, judges will not evaluate the same performance in an identical manner. While we do everything possible to maintain consistency in scoring, winning results are not guaranteed.

Upon entering, you agree to the following:
In consideration for my participation in events sponsored or run by TCFL, I hereby expressly and irrevocably grant TCFL and its assigns, successors, licensees, affiliates, and designees (collectively the “Association”) the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right, license, and permission to use my name, image, likeness, voice, appearance, biographical information, statements, performance, and/or testimonials (collectively, the “Appearance”) in all forms and media including composite or modified representations for all purposes, including advertising, promotion, trade, or any commercial or non-commercial purpose throughout the world in perpetuity. The foregoing right and license extends to my Appearance in any video or audio recordings, photos, and any other media, how known or later developed, that are created in connection with any Association events and/or activities in which I participate, whether in person or virtually. I waive the right to inspect or approve versions of my Appearance used for publication or the written copy that may be used in connection with the Appearance or such publication.