The 2026 ADA National Tournament will be hosted by Emory University from March 7-9.

Full Invitation Available --->

Some ADA Nationals Specific Rules To Note:

**Judges must have at least 9 rounds of judging on the 2025/26 debate topic prior to ADA Nationals to count toward your team's judging commitment. Otherwise they will be a free strike.

**Judges must be in for at least 2 debates.

**Hybrid teams composed of debaters from different schools are welcome to debate, but cannot make elimination rounds unless they have debated together at 3 ADA tournaments as a team prior to ADA Nationals.

**To participate, each school must be a patron member of the ADA. You can pay for membership when you pay your entry fees or you can pay now.

Schedule:

The tentative schedule is available here: 2026 ADA Nationals Schedule

Saturday: 4 Prelims

Sunday: 2 Prelims + 1st Elim + Awards

Monday: Rest of Elims

Information:

The tournament will run Saturday, March 7 to Monday, March 9 and will be at Emory University and hybrid via Zoom.

There will be 6 rounds of preliminary debates in Novice, JV, and Varsity divisions, followed by an appropriate number of elimination debates, not to exceed double octafinals.

Hybrid entries composed of debaters from different schools are welcome, but see invitation for the ADA specific rules on eligibility to clear to elimination rounds as a hybrid team.

Nick Ryan will tab the tournament.

Payment & Fees:

You can pay fees & dues at this link: ADA Nationals Fees & Dues Payment

Fees for in-person teams: $100.00 per participant (debater/judge), covering the above costs in addition to food and cleaning expenses.

Fees for online teams: $100.00 per team covering tabbing expenses, trophies, and staffing.

Fees will be locked on Tuesday, March 3.

ADA membership: In order to participate at ADA Nationals, each institution must be a member of the ADA for 2025-26. Dues are $100.

New, emerging programs, or anyone else that does not have a budget and would otherwise have to pay out of pocket please contact the ADA President, Patrick Waldinger (contact info is on the right hand side of this page).

Hotel:

Everything in person will take place on the Emory University's campus, including the awards ceremony and elimination rounds.

Emory has secured two blocks for the tournament:

1. Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory

149.00USD per night + tax

Start Date: Friday, March 06, 2026 & End Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Last Day to Book: Monday, February 16, 2026

Click here to book online: Courtyard ADA Hotel Block

Emory Debate ADA National Room Block Group Code: EDAEDAB

2. Atlanta Marriott Northeast/Emory Area (previous NDT hotel; formerly called Century Center)

149.00 USD per night + tax

Start Date: Friday, March 06, 2026 & End Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Last Day to Book: Friday, February 20, 2026

Click here to book online: Marriott Northeast ADA Hotel Block

Emory Debate ADA Nationals at Emory University Code: ADAADAA