The Tournament of Champions is committed to expanding opportunities for international students to participate in the TOC and its network of qualifying events.
For international teams, one bid in the silver division of Public Forum Debate (online), speech events, or World Schools Debate grants a team full qualification to the 2027 TOC. In 2027 international students may apply for at-large bid consideration in World Schools Debate, the silver division of Public Forum Debate (online), and speech events if they have demonstrated competitiveness at two or more qualifying events.
For more information on qualifying (bid) tournaments or the at-large process please visit Bid Tournaments and Bid Allocation.
For questions about program support please email tournamentofchampions@uky.edu
International Speech & Debate Initiative Tournaments
A collaboration between Harvard Debate Council and UK Debate/TOC. ISDI Tournaments will be time-zone friendly for both Asia and the Americas (especially west cost times). World Schools Debate, Silver Public Forum, and Original Oratory are bid earning events.
- Harvard Debate UKTOC International Qualifier (ISDI) #1: October 23-25, 2026 (online)
- Harvard Debate UKTOC International Qualifier (ISDI) #2: November 20-22, 2026 (online)
- Harvard Debate UKTOC International Qualifier (ISDI) #3: January 22-24, 2027 (online)
International Tournament of Champions Bid Earning Tournaments
| Dates | Tournament Name | Tournament Host | Bid Events | Modality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 22-24, 2026 | Summer Nationals | Dongguan | TOC Asia | Silver PF | In Person |
| October 9-11, 2026 | Taiwan Speech and Debate Invitational | Taipei American School | Finals Gold PF Semis Silver PF Speech World Schools | In Person |
| October | West China Regional | Chengdu | TOC Asia | Silver PF | In Person |
| Early October | AWCS Shanghai | Shanghai | TOC Asia | World Schools | In Person |
| Late October | Olympia International Debate and Speech Championship | Ha Noi, Vietnam | Finals Gold PF Semis Silver PF World Schools | In Person |
| October 23-25, 2026 | Harvard Debate UKTOC International Qualifier (ISDI) 1 | Harvard Debate Council/UK TOC | Silver PF World Schools Speech | Online |
| October/November | Online Qualifier 1 | TOC Asia | Silver PF | Online |
| Late October/Early November | AWCS Shenzhen | Shenzhen | TOC Asia | World Schools | In Person |
| Mid November | SSIS Fall Public Forum Invitational | Saigon South | Hô Chí Minh, Vietnam | Finals Gold PF Semis Silver PF | In Person |
| November 20-22, 2026 | Harvard Debate UKTOC International Qualifier (ISDI) 2 | Harvard Debate Council/UK TOC | Silver PF World Schools Speech | Online |
| November 21-22, 2026 | I Punta Cana Debate & Speech International Cup | Dialéctica Argumentativa | World Schools | In Person |
| November/December | Online Qualifier 2 | TOC Asia | Silver PF | Online |
| November/December | AWCS Fall Online | TOC Asia | World Schools | Online |
| Late December | Fall Championships | Hong Kong | TOC Asia | Finals Gold PF Semis Silver PF | In Person |
| Late January | Winter Invitational Online | TOC Asia | Silver PF | Online |
| January 22-24, 2027 | Harvard Debate UKTOC International Qualifier (ISDI) 3 | Harvard Debate Council/UK TOC | Silver PF World Schools Speech | Online |
| Late January | Vocalize - UAE | Vocalize | Dubai | World Schools | In Person |
| February | AWCS Winter Invitational Online | TOC Asia | World Schools | Online |