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NMSDA State Speech & Debate Championship

When: February 26-28, 2026

Where: La Cueva High School, 7801 Wilshire Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM

Registration Deadline: February 20, 2026 at 5:00pm

Judge Entry Deadline: February 23, 2026 at 5:00pm

Entry Fees: $10 per entry, $20 for team events (CX, PF, DUO)

Thursday rounds will be virtual via NSDA Campus. Friday and Saturday rounds will be held in person at La Cueva.

Events Offered:

Humorous Interpretation

Dramatic Interpretation

Duo Interpretation

Program Oral Interpretation

Original Oratory

Informative Speaking

International Extemporaneous

United States Extemporaneous

Lincoln Douglas Debate (Novice and Varsity)

Public Forum (Novice & Varsity)

Policy (Novice & Varsity).

Maximum debate entries in one division per school: 6

Maximum speech entries per event per school: 4

*Students may enter in up to 2 speech events and 1 debate event. Students may not double-enter in IX and USX.

**Divisions will be subject to collapse based on low entry numbers.

School Eligibility:

A competing school must be a member of the NMSDA and the NMAA to compete at

the State Tournament. A school must have paid its annual dues to the treasurer, Elise Matton, before the start of the state tournament to compete in the state tournament. A school must have completed the State 2026 Checklist sent out by the NMSDA. Please contact Atalie Nelson if you did not receive the checklist.

Student Eligibility:

An eligibility list (see NMAA non-athletic handbook) must be sent to the NMSDA President prior to the start of the state tournament as specified in the invitation. This list will include the name of each participating student, and an administrator will sign to affirm that all names on the list are academically eligible to participate.

*The NMAA eligibility form and the Coaches’ Verification form need to be uploaded into Tabroom by February 20th at 5:00pm.