Tournament Structure of NCFCA

NCFCA’s unique tournament structure seeks to meet the needs of Affiliates at all levels of commitment while providing for multiple ways to experience success. There are local level tournaments designed to provide the opportunity to experience NCFCA competition at minimal cost and with minimum time and travel, national level tournaments that offer a more broad scope of debate and speaking styles and aids in cross-cultural relationships, Regional Invitationals that offer a mid-level of competition, and an elite National Championship experience.

Specifically, NCFCA sanctions the following types of tournaments:

Qualifying Tournaments

Qualifying Tournaments (“Qualifiers”) are any of the numerous feeder tournaments in which a competitor can earn an invitation to the Regional Invitational Tournament. These tournaments are organized and planned according to NCFCA rules and guidelines by the Regional Coordinator and State Representatives within a region.

Regional Invitational

The Regional Invitational Tournament (“Regional”) is held in each region at the end of that region’s competitive season. Invitations to the Regional will be given by event to competitors meeting a set criteria at Qualifiers. The top competitors at this tournament will proceed to the National Championship.

National Open Tournament

A National Open Tournament (“Open”) is one of several tournaments approved by the NCFCA Board to be held in diverse locations each competitive season. These tournaments are designed to be very large, attract competitors from throughout the country, and offer all league events (debate and speech). The top competitors at an Open will proceed directly to the National Championship. The Opens are organized and run by NCFCA with assistance from local co-sponsors and/or hosts.

National Championship

The NCFCA National Championship (“Nationals”) is the highest level of competition within NCFCA. Nationals is held in June each year at various locations throughout the country.

NCFCA’s unique tournament structure seeks to meet the needs of Affiliates at all levels of commitment while providing for multiple ways to experience success. There are local level tournaments designed to provide for the opportunity to experience NCFCA competition at minimal cost and with minimum time and travel, national level tournaments that offer a more broad scope of debate and speaking styles and aids in cross-cultural relationships, Regional Invitationals that offer a mid-level of competition, an At-Large system that honors consistent excellence and an elite National Championship experience.

Specifically, NCFCA sanctions the following types of tournaments -

Qualifying Tournaments – Qualifying Tournaments (“Qualifiers”) are any of the numerous feeder tournaments in which a competitor can earn an invitation to the Regional Invitational Tournament. These tournaments are organized and planned according to NCFCA rules and guidelines by the Regional Coordinator and State Representatives within a region.

Regional Invitational – The Regional Invitational Tournament (“Regional”) is held in each region at the end of that region’s competitive season. Invitations to the Regional will be given by event to competitors meeting a set criteria at Qualifiers. The top competitors at this tournament will proceed to the National Championship.

National Open Tournament – A National Open Tournament (“Open”) is one of several tournaments approved by the NCFCA Board to be held in diverse locations each competitive season. These tournaments are designed to be very large, attract competitors from throughout the country, and offer all league events (debate and speech). The top competitors at an Open will proceed directly to the National Championship. The Opens are organized and run by NCFCA with assistance from local co-sponsors and/or hosts.

National Championship – The NCFCA National Championship (“Nationals”) is the highest level of competition within NCFCA. Nationals is held in June each year at various locations throughout the country.

Association