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Tournament Resources
Notes for Everyone:
Ballots for prelims will be released after the first elimination rounds are posted. Your ballots will not be released until you are eliminated.
Breakfast: Breakfast opens at 6:00am. Be aware of your departure time in the morning. Give yourself enough time to eat so that we can leave on time. If you are not a fan of the selection at the hotel, there is the option offered at the school venues also available. See the LUNCH page for more info.
Link to Final Rounds Livestream
Download the Guidebook App
When you get into the app you may have to create a login for it. But if not, go to the bottom right of the screen and you will find "Find Guides". Click on that and search Nats26. The first option that comes up should be the NSDA guidebook with this year's logo as the profile picture. Download that guidebook and you will be all set! This is a helpful tool to stay up to date on tournament schedules, judge paradigms, links to final round videos, and important messages that the NSDA wants to communicate with attendants.
WiFi
There will be free WiFi available at the Iowa Events Center (Congress Venue). Anyone competing or judging at the school venues will use the internet option NSDA-MPS. The password is NSDA2026!
(Potential Legislation Released April 29)
Voting Takes Place on Tabroom:
April 29 - May 2
(Final Legislation Released May 15)
Lincoln Douglas Topic:
Resolved: Democracies ought to prioritize the protection of civil liberties over national security.
Topics will release HERE
Notes for LD: There will be 2 judges in each prelim round. You will need 8 wins in order to advance to the first elimination rounds (7 & 8). Ballots will be released for the previous round after each elimination round is posted.
United States Extemp Topic Areas:
- Civil Liberties and Expression
-Climate, Environment, & Energy Policy
-Congress
-Courts and the Law
-Education
-Health Care and Social Programs
-Innovation and Emerging Technologies
-Pop Culture
-Presidency and Executive Power
-Social and Cultural Issues
-U.S. Economics and Business
-U.S. Foreign Policy
-The U.S. Next Week
Extemp Debate Topic Areas:
-Environment and Conservation
-Governmental Structure
-Health and Wellness
-International Policy
-Social Culture
-Sports
-Technology
-U.S. Economics
-U.S. Politics
Congress Competitors,
***Keep in mind the NSDA Nationals policy regarding electronic communication during a round:
"Once the chamber is called to order, competitors in the chamber shall not engage in electronic communication with anyone inside or outside the chamber until the session is adjourned.
This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, electronic messaging, email, group chats, shared live documents like Google Docs, or any platform that permits real-time or delayed communication with another person. Should students request to examine evidence, the evidence exchange shall be done through the Presiding Officer and Parliamentarian via a point of information as per National Tournament policy. Shared electronic access of official chamber resources, including the Unified Manual, is permitted. This prohibition does not apply during recesses."
Be careful...
Impromptu Round Themes:
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Being Animated: Animation Through the Years – Prompts related to animated films and characters
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Food That’s Fast: Unique Cuisine – Prompts related to quick, creative, or regional meals and dining culture
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Old and Faithful: Landmarks and Monuments – Prompts related to famous historical sites
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Poetic Perfection: Dr. Maya Angelou – Prompts and quotes related to the life and works of Maya Angelou
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Smile! – American Celebrity – Prompts related to celebrities from the United States
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Sun Tzu’s The Art of War – Quotations and prompts related to Sun Tzu’s classic text
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The Declarations of Thomas Jefferson – Quotations by and about Thomas Jefferson
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Virginia Is for Lovers – Famous places, people, and traditions that make Virginia unique
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W.W.W. – Words of Wisdom from Washington – Quotations by Booker T. Washington
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