Kearney to Host 2027 American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament
Kearney, Nebraska, has been selected to host the 2027 American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament, scheduled from April 2–5, 2027. This prestigious collegiate competition is expected to attract approximately 65 college and university teams, along with hundreds of coaches, judges, family members, and spectators, to central Nebraska. The event will utilize four local venues: Kearney High School, Central Community College, Younes Conference Center North, and Younes Conference Center South. The AFA National Speech Tournament, established in 1978, is a premier event in collegiate speech, where competitors qualify through a rigorous district and at-large process to compete for national titles across 11 categories, including persuasive speaking, informative speaking, extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking, dramatic interpretation, poetry, and prose. The annual tournament rotates nationally, with the 2026 championship hosted by Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, drawing 58 institutions.
