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Find out how to register your school for the next round of debates.
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Competition Stages
The Concern Debates competition runs for several months and is completed over a number of stages. Every year, more than 120 schools argue their motions in the hope of being our next debating champions.
From September - December each school will have three online debates.
In January the top 64 schools will progress to the knockout stages of the programme. The knockout stages will continue online for four more rounds.
The Semi finals will take place in person in a neutral venue organised by the Concern Debates team in April 2023.
The final will take place in Dublin on May 4th 2023.
Stages explained
Here are the several stages of the Concern Debates.
Registration
Registration for the Concern Debates usually begins before schools close for the summer holidays and continues into early September. Please note that completing the registration form does not automatically guarantee a place on the programme. A Concern Debates staff member will be in touch to let you know if your application is successful. Then your Debates journey can begin!
League Phase
Knockout Stage
Quarter Finals
Semi Finals
National Finals
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