Yale Motions Tournament (Final Tournament)
- Tournament dates: Apr 3–4
- Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Deadline: Mar 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET (Self executing)
Sign-ups are open now.
Yale Motions Tournament (Final Tournament)
Open nowYale is our final tournament. This is a motions tournament, so no case prep is required.
- Yale sign-up: Open sign-ups ↗
- Deadline: Mar 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET (Self executing, auto-closes).
- Priority: Priority spring target, high turnout requested.
This card updates automatically at the exact signup deadline.
Final Tournament
Live deadlines are listed in ET. Sign-up buttons auto-close when the deadline passes.
Notable Achievements
2024–25
UVA Tournament, 5th best varsity speaker
American University Tournament, 6th best varsity speaker
2023–24
2nd best team of the year, Ailin Jia and Aadhavaarasan Raviarasan
8th best club of the year
2nd best speaker of the year, Aadhavaarasan Raviarasan
Judging
Great rounds need great judges. You can sign up to judge using the same interest form as debaters - just select “Judge.” We’ll provide a quick briefing, a timer, and a flow sheet. No prior APDA experience required.
- Before: Read the case statement, note any CWs, track protected time.
- During: Flow key claims and responses, weigh clearly; watch for valid POOs.
- After: Give a concise Reason for Decision and fair speaks.
How APDA Tournaments Work (60-second primer)
- Schedule: Most run Fri–Sat (occasional Sun). Expect an opening assembly, 5+ prelim rounds, then elims.
- Break: Teams with strong prelim records “break” to elimination rounds; exact cut depends on field size.
- Speaks & ranks: Judges award speaker points and ranks each round; totals determine breaks and awards.
- Judging: Experienced judges “flow” rounds, weigh comparative strength, assign speaks, and call winners.
- Pairing: A tab system pairs teams each round based on records and constraints.
Eligibility & Selection
To be considered for a tournament, meet the rolling three-week minimum before the sign-up deadline:
- At least 1 Monday Lesson + 2 Wednesday Training meetings
- Selection signals: commitment, experience balance, learning opportunity, roster size & logistics
Tournament Info Documents (TIDs)
Each tournament has a TID - a single source of truth with timelines, travel, lodging, maps, schedules, packing lists, equity reminders, and contacts. Sign-up links and statuses below update automatically when each deadline passes.
Logistics & Costs
Costs
$0 to compete. PDU covers travel, registration, and lodging.
Travel & ID
We travel by train/bus/van depending on distance. Bring a valid photo ID. Exact meet-up times are in each TID.
Travel release form
If you are confirmed to attend, complete the PDU Travel Release Form before departure so we can keep university travel records up to date.
Meals
Hosts usually provide lunch on Day 1 and breakfast/lunch on Day 2. Pack snacks and a water bottle.
Absence letters
Need a letter for professors? Contact the Operations Director - we’ll coordinate.
Day-of updates
Urgent changes appear on the Calendar and via email/Discord. Check both during travel weekends.
Partners & Roles
Northeastern is closed, and pairings are confirmed as follows:
- Veronica & Cornelia
- Amish & Ben
- Rhea & Varsha
- Beckett & Alexandra
Equity & Safety
Follow host equity policies and PDU standards: debate ideas, not identities; use Content Warnings (CWs) and honor opt-outs. Report concerns to the Equity Team or a PDU officer immediately.
Results & Highlights
Boston University Tournament attendees — congrats on a great tournament!
- Amish Gupta
- Veronica Leahy
- Wesley Liu
- Cornelia Hsieh
- Claire Cordonnier
- Benjamin Golden