Show off your speech and debate skills at the Regents’ Cup — apply by Oct. 30

Regents Cup

The Arizona Board of Regents is proud to present the Regents’ Cup, a tri-university speech and debate competition that celebrates free speech at Arizona’s public universities, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona.

Student orators apply to represent their university in Oxford debate and storytelling categories at this annual event. University teams are selected in November and on-campus coaches prepare students for the competition in April. This event honors participants for articulating different points of view in an environment where competitors remain civil and respectful.

Students selected to represent their university at the Regents’ Cup are eligible to receive internship or course credit for their work and earn scholarships for participating.
The board awards generous scholarships to first, second and third place winners — $15,000, $12,000 and $5,000 respectively. All other team members receive a $500 scholarship. The funds can be used at the student’s discretion to support and advance their education. Students are also eligible to receive internship or course credit for their work. 

All students may apply, regardless of former debate experience. Students will compete in either Oxford debate or persuasive storytelling, sharing true stories from personal experiences.

Regents’ Cup honors participants for articulating different points of view in an environment where competitors remain civil and respectful. This year’s competition — centered around the theme The Government and the People: The Social Contract — is on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Northern Arizona University.

University teams are selected in November and on-campus coaches will prepare students for the competition in April.

Requirements

  • Full-time student (first-year through graduate students) at one of Arizona’s public universities at the time of the Regents’ Cup.
  • 2.50 or higher cumulative GPA.
  • Application and essay submitted to Arizona Board of Regents’ website.
  • Meet university expectations for preparation and participation.
  • Participate in Regents’ Cup on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Northern Arizona University.

Watch the 2024 Regents’ Cup storytelling winner and the 2023 Oxford debate winner. Watch other Regents’ Cup content.

Apply by Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. Learn more about the Regents’ Cup.