Tournament tracker, 2026-27
Every North Carolina tournament this season, in one table.
The Tarheel Forensic League's published 2026-27 schedule, the NSDA topic release dates, the Carolina West district qualifier, the state championship, and the National Tournament. Filter by region or month, and add the whole season to your calendar.
Checked against ncspeechanddebate.org on September 13, 2026. CUDL local tournaments are announced to partner schools and added here when confirmed.
20North Carolina tournaments listed by the TFL
9within reach of Charlotte, including the district qualifier
Apr 9-112027 TFL State Championship (host to be announced)
Jun 13-182027 NSDA Nationals, Phoenix
Schedule
Status "Listed by TFL" means the date appears on the league's official schedule; hosts post registration on Tabroom. "Expected" follows the NSDA's release pattern. Confirm with your coach before travel.
27 entries
| Date | Event | Where | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grey Matter | Cary Academy, Cary | Invitational | Listed by TFL | |
| Myers Park Tutorial A teaching tournament for new competitors. | Myers Park High School, Charlotte | Novice tutorial | Listed by TFL | |
| DSDL #1 | Pinecrest High School, Southern Pines | Dogwood Speech and Debate League | Listed by TFL | |
| NSDA releases November/December LD and PF topics Follows the NSDA's first-of-the-month pattern. | speechanddebate.org/topics | Topic release | Expected | |
| Jimmy K. Poole Viking Classic | North Mecklenburg High School, Huntersville | Invitational | Listed by TFL | |
| DSDL #2 | Apex Friendship High School, Apex | Dogwood Speech and Debate League | Listed by TFL | |
| 55th Annual Laird Lewis Invitational The largest Charlotte-area invitational of the fall. | Myers Park High School, Charlotte | Invitational | Listed by TFL | |
| Corona Rostrensis | Charlotte Latin School, Charlotte | Invitational | Listed by TFL | |
| DSDL #3 | Terry Sanford High School, Fayetteville | Dogwood Speech and Debate League | Listed by TFL | |
| Cougar Classic | Asheville High School, Asheville | Invitational | Listed by TFL | |
| NSDA releases January/February LD and January PF topics | speechanddebate.org/topics | Topic release | Expected | |
| Marvin Ridge Invitational Union County, south of Charlotte. | Marvin Ridge High School, Waxhaw | Invitational | Listed by TFL | |
| DSDL #4 | Cary High School, Cary | Dogwood Speech and Debate League | Listed by TFL | |
| NSDA releases February PF topic | speechanddebate.org/topics | Topic release | Expected | |
| 13th Annual Cavalier Invitational | Durham Academy, Durham | Invitational | Listed by TFL | |
| 8th Annual Cavalier Challenge | Durham Academy, Durham | Invitational | Listed by TFL | |
| Ballantyne Ridge Invitational | Ballantyne Ridge High School, Charlotte | Invitational | Listed by TFL | |
| NSDA releases March/April LD and March PF topics The TFL state championship uses these topics. | speechanddebate.org/topics | Topic release | Expected | |
| DSDL #5 | Pine Forest High School, Fayetteville | Dogwood Speech and Debate League | Listed by TFL | |
| Cuthbertson Classic | Cuthbertson High School, Waxhaw | Invitational | Listed by TFL | |
| Steven Davis Invitational | Ardrey Kell High School, Charlotte | Invitational | Listed by TFL | |
| DSDL #6 | Cumberland Polytechnic High School, Fayetteville | Dogwood Speech and Debate League | Listed by TFL | |
| NSDA releases April PF topic | speechanddebate.org/topics | Topic release | Expected | |
| Carolina West District Tournament The NSDA district for the Charlotte area; qualifies students for the National Tournament. | Site to be announced | NSDA district qualifier | Listed by TFL | |
| 51st Tarheel Forensic League State Championship JV divisions in LD, PF, and Congress for first- and second-year competitors; bid-based entry in open divisions. | Host to be announced (bids due to TFL by late October) | State championship | Listed by TFL | |
| NSDA Last-Chance Qualifier A free online second path to Nationals for students whose school competed at districts. Registration closes April 16, 2027. | Online | National qualifier | Listed by the NSDA | |
| NSDA National Speech and Debate Tournament Confirmed on the NSDA's Last-Chance Qualifier page. Registration materials due May 15, 2027. | Phoenix, Arizona | National Tournament | Listed by the NSDA |
Add the season to your calendar (.ics)TFL scheduleRegister on Tabroom
How the pathway works
- CUDL local tournaments: novice-friendly, free for partner schools, with CUDL judges. Dates go to partner schools first.
- Invitationals: open tournaments hosted by North Carolina schools; most use Tabroom for registration and offer novice divisions.
- Carolina West district tournament (March 6-7, 2027): the NSDA qualifier for the Charlotte area; top finishers advance to Nationals.
- TFL State Championship (April 9-11, 2027): JV divisions in LD, PF, and Congress for first- and second-year competitors; open divisions require bids earned at NC tournaments. Uses the March/April LD and March PF topics.
- NSDA Last-Chance Qualifier (April 29 to May 1, 2027, online): a free second path for students whose school competed at districts. Registration closes April 16.
- NSDA Nationals (June 13-18, 2027, Phoenix): qualifiers from every district. Also the TFL's Road to States grant helps programs with costs.
What CUDL covers
For partner schools: registration, entry fees, transportation to CUDL-supported tournaments, trained judges to meet judge quotas, and a coach on site. Families never pay to compete. See how competitions work and the tournament day checklist.
Tournament updates by email
When CUDL local dates are confirmed and when the schedule changes.
Ready to enter a tournament?
Partner schools compete free. Tell us your school and we will handle registration.