The ISDI aims to help schools around the world host high quality tournaments to facilitate regional and global debate opportunities for students. The training and support the ISDI offers covers every major aspect of tournament hosting including:

One of the most impactful ways to expand access to high-quality competition is to host your own tournament—and the ISDI is here to support you every step of the way.

Through our Tournament Administration Training program, we equip schools with the tools, training, and guidance needed to successfully run local, regional, or international events. Whether your goal is to host a novice scrimmage, a regional invitational, or apply for TOC bid status to draw in additional regional and international competitors, the ISDI help turn your vision into a reality.

There are many benefits associated with hosting a tournament including:

o   Create local opportunities for your students and neighboring schools

o   Build prestige and visibility for your program and institution

o   Develop leadership among students, coaches, and administrators

o   Earn revenue to support team travel, scholarships, and outreach

o   Contribute to the TOC ecosystem by becoming a qualifying bid tournament

Pre-Tournament Planning

o   Selecting dates and securing facilities (or setting up online platforms)

o   Choosing events and divisions

o   Crafting a schedule

o   Coordinating with TOC staff for bid alignment

o   Creating an invitation and registration plan

o   Budgeting and sponsorship strategies

Tabroom.com & Technology Setup

o   Tabroom.com and Technology Setup

o   Creating a tournament page

o   Setting registration limits and judge requirements

o   Posting schedules and setting up event configurations

o   Managing digital ballots and tab staff coordination

o   Live support and walk-throughs for first-time hosts

Adjudication & Ethics Standards

o   Creating inclusive and supportive judging pools

o   Setting community norms for behavior and accessibility

o   Training judges and volunteers

o   Handling conflicts and protests fairly

Student and Coach Leadership

o   Empowering students to run help desks, tech checks, or judge hospitality

o   Mentoring novice tabbers and room managers

o   Building year-over-year tournament leadership capacity

*Host Tiers

The ISDI works will programs of all levels:

o   Local Scrimmage Hosts – Schools just beginning to host; we assist with 1-day or intra-district events

o   Regional Invitational Hosts – Schools ready to host multi-state or international online competitions

o   TOC Bid Hosts – Programs interested in becoming official TOC-qualifying events; we help guide the application and execution process

 If you’re interested in hosting a tournament, the ISDI can help.

How to Get Started

o   Email contact@isdi.world if you’re interest in hosting[LGN1] 

o   Share your goals, available dates, and capacity

o   We’ll match you with an ISDI advisor who will assist in planning the tournament

o   You’ll receive access to our Tournament Hosting Toolkit and join an orientation session