The Riga Debate Tournament is an international school-level debate competition that will take place on April 18–19 in Riga, Latvia, at RTU ISST, Āzenes iela 12. The event is designed primarily for school students from Estonia and Latvia and aims to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for those who want to try debating in English or develop their existing skills.

The tournament will be conducted in a school debate format and all debates will take place in English. The structure is beginner-friendly, meaning that no prior experience in debating is required to participate. At the same time, the format allows participants to gain a meaningful and engaging competitive experience. The tournament capacity is limited to 34 teams, each consisting of three members.

Participation in the tournament is free of charge. The organizers will provide accommodation and meals for all participants throughout the event. However, participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to Riga. Limited travel reimbursement is available (20€ per person), and participants are strongly encouraged to book their transport in advance in order to secure more affordable options.

To register for the tournament, all participants must complete the registration questionnaire available via registration link below. Each team member is required to fill in the form individually. The registration deadline is April 13, and team confirmation will take place on April 13. By the time of confirmation, all teams must have valid tickets to Riga.

Debate motions for the tournament will be announced on March 29, giving participants time to prepare in advance.

The tournament will begin on April 18 with arrival and registration at 12:00, followed by the opening ceremony and three preliminary rounds. On April 19, participants will continue with the final preliminary round, after which the break to semi-finals will be announced. The second day will conclude with semi-finals, the grand final, and the closing ceremony, ending at 17:00.

We recommend planning your trip in advance. Ideally, you should arrive at Riga Bus Station at 11:00 on April 18 and depart after 18:00 on April 19, so you have enough time and do not need to rush.

Judges are subject to the same conditions as participants, including free accommodation, meals, and the same registration process. All judges must complete the registration form individually. Selection will be based on prior judging experience and proficiency in English, ensuring a high-quality and fair adjudication process throughout the tournament.

Full tournament infopack will be available on April 13th for registered participants after confirmation of participation.

Day 1 — April 18

• 12:00–12:30 — Arrival & Registration
• 12:30–13:00 — Opening Ceremony
• 13:00–14:30 — Round 1
• 14:30–15:30 — Lunch Break
• 15:30–17:00 — Round 2
• 17:15–18:45 — Round 3
• 18:45–19:00 — Day 1 Closing
  
  

Day 2 — April 19

• 08:30–09:00 — Registration & Motion Release
• 09:00–10:00 — Breakfast & Preparation Time
• 10:00–11:30 — Round 4 (Impro)
• 11:30–11:45 — Break Announcement & Motion Release
• 11:45–12:45 — Lunch & Preparation Time
• 12:45–14:15 — Semi-Finals
• 14:15–14:30 — Final Break Announcement
• 14:30–16:00 — Grand Final
• 16:00–17:00 — Closing Ceremony