JOIN WASDL

The Washington Area Speech and Debate League

Serving middle and high schools in the Greater Washington D.C. Metropolitan area
tournament schedule
competition events
About WASDL

Founded in 1952, the Washington Area Speech and Debate League (WASDL) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization. We serve all public and private middle and high schools in the greater Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area, running competitive tournaments most Saturdays from October through March.

Participating in Speech and Debate is an invaluable activity for all students, helping them develop essential, lifelong skills in critical thinking, confident communication, and research. Students learn to analyze complex issues, express themselves persuasively, and foster collaboration. Participants often experience improved academic performance and form lasting friendships.

Speech and Debate is for everyone. Please encourage your student to join their school’s team today! If your school doesn’t have a team, WASDL is here to help you form one. Contact us to get started! 

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Learn more about WASDL
Information for judges
information for students
information for coaches
The Value of Participation

According to the National Speech and Debate Association, of students who compete in speech and debate:

0 %

Experience higher self-esteem.

0 %

Attend classes more regularly.

0 %

See an increase in their reading test scores.

0 %

Improve their analytical skills.

Tournament Schedule

WASDL is a closed league, meaning only member schools are eligible to participate in our tournaments. However, all middle and high schools in the greater Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area are welcome to join! Contact us today to learn more about becoming a WASDL member school. New coaches, judges, and students are encouraged to observe competition rounds to learn how this amazing activity works. Even better, adults can volunteer to judge at a tournament! We provide all necessary training, and judging is the best way to quickly learn about each event while supporting our students.

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Us
judge an event

EVENT

HOST

DATE

Public Forum 2 tournament

George C. Marshall HS
Falls Church, VA

November 8, 2025

Speech & Policy 2 tournament

Charles J. Colgan Sr. HS
Manassas, VA

November 15, 2025

Lincoln-Douglas & Congress 2 tournament

Rock Ridge High School
Ashburn, VA

November 22, 2025

Public Forum 3 tournament

George C. Marshall HS
Falls Church, VA

December 6, 2025

FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Speech Events

Speech (aka Forensics) are presentations by one or two students.  There are two categories of speech events, public address and interpretive.  Public address events feature speeches that can answer a question, share a belief, persuade or educate an audience.  Interpretative events are performance focused and appeal to students who enjoy acting and theatre.  WACFL offers seven different speech events from which students can choose.

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Debate Events

Debate involves one or two students working to convince a judge that their side of a resolution or topic is more valid. Students in debate come to thoroughly understand both sides of a current public policy issue, having researched each side extensively in advance. Competitors learn to think critically about how to respond to arguments that could be made on each side.  WACFL offers four different styles of debate from which students can choose.

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What Students Say
Speech and Debate is one of the best activities I've picked up in my academic career. I love the creative freedom and community that comes with it!
11th grade studentFairfax High School
Participating in Speech and Debate meant pushing my comfort zone and introducing myself to pressure, learning about controversial topics, and keeping an unbiased opinion. I learned how to research credible sources and enjoyed countering our opponents' arguments.
9th grade studentWestfield High School
Speech allows us to create a sense of community without being made fun of. We are able to grow as individuals in a supportive space which allows us how to learn, win, and take constructive criticism. We are able to express ourselves more than we ever have before, and maybe ever will.
9th grade studentPotomac Falls High School
Speech and Debate means everything to me. When I first joined debate it felt scary to give a full four minute speech and to go against someone on a topic which affects the nation. I love participating in debate and this is my absolute favorite extracurricular of all time.
9th grade studentBriar Woods High School
Debate has transformed my life. It has provided me with incredible opportunities to stretch the limits of my public speaking and research skills. I will forever be grateful for the confidence, skills, and friends I made because of it.
12th grade studentOakton High School
I like the research part, as debates are usually won even before both teams step inside the room.
10th grade studentBriar Woods High School
Through debate, I've met lifelong friends, both on my team and from other schools. Debate is the reason I get compliments on my public speaking and interview skills, which has helped me in school, during the college admissions process, and applying to jobs and leadership positions. Debate has taken up almost all my weekends and many school nights and I have LOVED every second of it.
12th grade studentChantilly High School
Speech and Debate is helpful for communicating effectively in real world situations. For example, there have been times before when I couldn't get my ideas or thoughts across to people, but after practicing against stubborn opponents who don't want to understand, I can effectively communicate ideas and thoughts.
10th grade studentBriar Woods High School
I learned from debate the importance of listening.
11th grade studentFairfax High School
Debate is an opportunity to learn deeply about various topics and have extensive discussions with others to grow and improve.
9th grade studentOakton High School