Harvard National High School Invitational Forensics Tournament

Location:

Harvard University in Cambridge, MA (in‑person), with online divisions for World Schools candidates

Cost:

Typically around $140 for Lincoln‑Douglas, $180 for Policy debate, $110‑170 for Public Forum, and $75‑100 for speech events

Contest Date:

Presidents’ Day Weekend — February 15–17, 2025

Application Deadlines:

Usually opens early December and closes by February 10–12, 2025

Eligibility:

Open to high school students in the U.S. and internationally; no prior qualification required, though select novice and JV divisions exist

This is widely regarded as the country’s largest and most prestigious high school speech and debate tournament. Hosted annually on Harvard’s campus, it features a wide range of events including Policy Debate, Lincoln‑Douglas, Public Forum, Student Congress, and multiple individual speech categories. Many top-performing teams secure bids to the prestigious Tournament of Champions.

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Please note: This information is compiled from publicly available sources and may change from year to year. Dates, locations, fees, and other details are subject to updates—please verify all information directly on the official competition website before applying.