Here are your Nationals updates for this week, Coach!
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Download the Nats26 Guidebook App
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The Nats26 Guidebook app includes schedules, maps, award details, and more. It is your most important tournament resource. Follow these steps to download the Nats26 app, presented by The Friends of The Christian Science Monitor.
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- Go to the app store that corresponds with your device and search for “Guidebook.”
- Follow the prompts on your screen, and Guidebook will download.
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Open up the Guidebook app on your device.
- You may be prompted to allow push notifications and location services. We strongly encourage allowing push notifications for important reminders.
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Use the Search box under Find Guides to type in “Nats26.”
- Tap “Download” to get the guide on your device.
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Check out the 2026 Tournament Program Book
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The commemorative tournament program book contains tournament info, award winner details, district ads, and more. Check out the online version before you arrive! Each student and two adults per school will receive a copy at registration.
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High School Students Judging Middle School
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High school National Tournament participants who are no longer competing on Wednesday are welcome to judge at the Middle School National Tournament! To participate, students must:
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Have completed their junior or senior year of high school and have 250+ Honor Society points. Rising juniors cannot judge Middle School Nationals.
- Not be planning to participate in supplemental events.
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Sign up in advance beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16 using the Judge Signup tab at msnats.tabroom.com with their Tabroom.com account.
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Arrive at either Glen Allen (debate events) or Highland Springs (speech events) by 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday and check in with tournament staff to be registered. Check out the middle school schedule for round details.
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Attend a judge training session at 9:00 a.m.
- Wear their wristbands and high school competitor ribbons to enter the middle school venue.
- Have devices to judge online ballots.
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Consider completing the relevant judge accreditation modules in advance, or bring headphones so they can do it on-site!
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Are you attending Nationals for the first time (or the first time in a while)? Be sure to join us Sunday for the New Coach Reception presented by FGS Global at either 10:00 a.m. or 3:00 p.m. in the Richmond Marriott Capital Ballroom across the street from the convention center. It's an opportunity to connect with tournament staff and experienced coaches to tackle any final questions or concerns headed into the big week!
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Can't make either session? Stop by the General Questions table outside the registration room for support!
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Rule Reminders for Nationals
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Congressional Debate Electronic Communications Prohibition: 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.
Full Text of Manuscript Required in POI, Poetry, and Prose: Performances must be from a manuscript (which may be in a folder). Students must have the full text of their manuscript in the binder or folder.
World Schools Materials Must Be Printed: No electronic devices are permitted in World Schools rounds. This means that students will not be reading arguments off of their laptops, even in prepared rounds. The only exception is that a cell phone in airplane mode can be used for timing only. Debaters in World Schools should come prepared with their materials printed, as we will not have printers available at the competition venue
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Upcoming Judge Swap Window
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You will be able to check your school’s judging assignments by day and event during the Judging Swap Window from Thursday, June 11 to Saturday, June 13 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET. There is no way to enter judge availability until the window opens. During the swap window, you may log in to Tabroom.com and check which judge(s) we have assigned to judge which day(s) of the National Tournament. You will have the ability to swap around judges who are qualified in that event to ensure all of the days your school is obligated to judge in an event are covered. We understand that it can be hard to manage judge schedules, and we hope that this process will allow you the flexibility to schedule judging on the days and in the buildings that work best for you and your team! We will notify you when the window opens. Learn more about judging requirements »
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Safety and Security Reminders
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Your safety and well-being are our highest priorities. Over the past year, we’ve carefully reviewed and strengthened our safety protocols to ensure every participant feels secure and supported throughout the competition.
*NEW* Controlled Entry Points: Access to venues will be limited to designated entrances with security checkpoints for safety and monitoring. Details on entry point locations will be shared prior to the event.
*NEW* Entry Inspection at All Venues: All attendees will be required to enter through OPENGATE weapons detection system at all tournament venues and may be subject to search. Items like laptops, glasses cases, and binders must be removed from bags and handed to security before walking through the OPENGATE system.
*NEW* Wristbands Required for Entry: All participants must wear a wristband for entry into tournament venues. Wristbands are non-transferrable and cannot be removed for the duration of the tournament. They will be distributed at registration to individuals listed with your team in Tabroom. If a replacement wristband is required, the participant must present valid identification before being permitted entry into a tournament venue.
Identification Badges/Ribbons: Within tournament venues, attendees must wear identifying ribbons at all times. This includes approved observers like parents and chaperones. Ribbons are distributed during registration to individuals listed with your team in Tabroom.
Prohibited Items:
Firearms, ammunition, explosives, or weapons of any kind.
Chemical sprays or irritants.
Pocket knives, utility knives, multi-tools, or box cutters.
Controlled substances, including illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or vape products.
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A clear bag policy will be in effect for the Altria Theater in accordance with venue security protocols. Personal belongings must be placed in clear bags 12x12x6 or smaller. Each school will receive an allotment of clear bags at registration (one per student, plus two additional bags per team).
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