Back to Listing2026 Regents’ Cup speech and debate competition kicks off at U of A this weekend
Scholarship contest theme is "Liberty and Responsibility"
WHAT: The 2026 Regents’ Cup, a tri-university speech and debate competition presented by the Arizona Board of Regents, will take place this weekend at the University of Arizona. The annual event celebrates free speech and civil discourse with participating student teams from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the U of A competing in Oxford-style debate and storytelling categories.
This year’s theme, “Liberty and Responsibility,” challenges participants to explore how constitutional freedoms and shared responsibility shape the trajectory of democracy.
44 student participants will compete for the opportunity to win scholarships to support their education. First place winners earn $15,000, second place $12,000 and third place $5,000. Students spend several months preparing for the event and earn course credit at their university for their work.
Judges representing a wide range of professional backgrounds from Arizona and across the nation will oversee the competition. Judges include leaders in the business community, policymakers, academics, elected and appointed officials and media professionals.
Since its inception in 2019, the Regents’ Cup has become a hallmark of Arizona’s commitment to free expression and viewpoint diversity. Arizona’s public universities consistently rank among the top institutions nationwide for free speech, earning green light ratings from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
To experience the Regents’ Cup, watch highlights of last year’s competition here.
WHEN: March 28, 2026
- Kickoff – 7:45 a.m.
- Competition rounds one and two – 8:45-11:15 a.m.
- Lunch – 11:15 a.m.
- Quarter and Semifinals – 1:30-5:05 p.m.
- Storytelling Finals – 5:10 p.m.
- Oxford Finals – 6:15 p.m.
- Awards Reception – 7:30 p.m.
The full schedule of tournament events is available here.
A live stream of the storytelling and Oxford debate finals, as well as the Awards Reception, will be broadcast here.
WHERE: McClelland Hall, 1130 E. Helen St., Tucson, Arizona, 85721
PARKING: Parking will be available at the Park Avenue Garage: 1140 N. Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85721
MEDIA: Media is invited to attend the event. Please email abormediarelations@azregents.edu to RSVP and check in at the McClelland Hall lobby upon arrival.