THE WORLD’S BIGGEST DEBATE TOURNAMENTS (YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT!)
If you think debating is just about talking fast and throwing in a few fancy words, think again! Debate is an art, a mental sport, and for some, even a lifestyle. Around the world, thousands of students train, prepare, and travel across borders just to prove their ideas matter.
Whether you’re a curious newbie or a seasoned speaker, here are the biggest debate tournaments in the world you definitely need to know about!
1. World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC)
Welcome to the Olympics of university debating. Held every year in different countries each year, the WUDC is the largest international English-language debating competition for university students.
It uses the British Parliamentary (BP) format, which means 4 teams in a room (2 gov, 2 opp), and a lot of brainpower flying around.
- Participants: Over 400 teams from all over the globe
- Past hosts: Thailand, Serbia, South Africa, and more
- Fun fact: Many WUDC alumni go on to become diplomats, researchers, and public speakers.
2. World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC)
This one’s for the high school legends. The WSDC brings together national teams of high schoolers from over 50 countries. Think of it as the World Cup but for teen intellectuals.
The format used is a mix of British Parliamentary and traditional styles, known as the World Schools format.
It’s intense, emotional, and incredibly inspiring
- Teams: Represent their countries, not just schools
- Debates often focus on real-world issues—climate, human rights, AI, politics
3. Asian British Parliamentary (ABP)
Asia has its own powerhouse tournament: the Asian British Parliamentary. It’s competitive, fast-paced, and filled with future leaders.
Mostly attended by university students in Asia, this tournament is a great space to sharpen your argumentation skills and connect with regional debaters.
A great space for building friendships and rivalries (in a good way!)
- Hosted in different Asian countries each year
- Debates in BP format
More Tournaments to Check Out!
Still hungry for more action? Here are other big names in the debate world:
- EUDC (European Universities Debating Championship) is like WUDC, but focused on Europe
- Australs (Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championship) The go-to for Asia-Pacific unis
- UADC (United Asian Debating Championship) another top-level tournament in Asia
Each has its own style, rules, and vibe but one thing they all share? Passion for ideas and strong voices.
Why Should You Care?
Because debate isn’t just about arguing. It’s about thinking critically, communicating clearly, and understanding others’ perspectives.
Joining or even just following these tournaments can open your eyes to global issues, improve your speaking skills, and maybe… inspire you to compete one day.
So whether you’re a debate club newbie or already dreaming of WUDC glory. Now’s the time to get involved. Research past motions, watch recorded debates on YouTube, and connect with local communities.
Who knows? Maybe your voice will be the next one echoing on the world stage.
References:
World Universities Debating Championship. (n.d.). About WUDC. Retrieved from https://www.worlddebating.org/
World Schools Debating Championships. (n.d.). WSDC Overview. Retrieved from https://www.wsdcdebating.org/services-4
Asian British Parliamentary (ABP) 2022 Retrieved from https://edudriftbackup.calicotab.com/abp2022/
International Debate Education Association. (n.d.). IDEA: Debatabase & Resources. Retrieved from https://idebate.org