Guidance for Speech Contests

Rules, guidance and tips for speech competitions

2026/2027 Toastmasters Year

In District 71 there are four available speech competitions for the 2026-2027 Toastmaster’s year: one online, and 3 in-person competitions (International, Humorous and Evaluation)

Note: This year at all competition levels only one competitor will advance to the next round irrespective of number of clubs in the Area.

(To view some of the links below you may need to sign into the Toastmasters International Website)

 

Online Speech

The online speech contest has it’s own set of documents you can download at TI:
Toastmasters International -speech-contests
It is similar to an International Speech contest but has no entry requirements (i.e. L2 pathways)
It is open to all Toastmasters in good standing.

 

 

Online Contest latest completion dates.

District final will be on the morning of Saturday 28th November
Division contests should conclude by 15th November
Area contests should conclude by 24th October
Club contests should conclude by 10^th October

Club contest deadline dates may be modified with agreement from the Area Council.
Area contest deadline dates may be modified with agreement from the Division Council.
Division Contest deadline dates will not be changed to allow organisation of the District contest.

 

In Person Contests – International, Humorous and Evaluation

Contest latest completion dates.

District finals will be held at the District conference on 8-9 May
Division contests should conclude by  1st March
Area  contests should conclude by 21st February
Club contests should conclude by 7th February

In-person finals may be held on one day or over several as suits the governing council or committee.

Club contest deadline dates may be modified with agreement from the Area Council.
Area contest deadline dates may be modified with agreement from the Division Council.
Division Contest deadline dates will not be changed. These are set to allow organisation of the District conference and for delegates to organise travel and accommodation.

 

Advice For Club Contests

Remember : This year at all competition levels only one competitor will advance to the next round irrespective of number of clubs in the Area.

Clubs have a choice of 3 methods of selecting their competitor for the Area contest:

1. Run a “Speech Contest”.
   If you run a speech contest you must run it in accordance with the rules of Toastmasters International in this year’s rule book.
   Toastmasters International 2026-2027 Speech Contest Rulebook
2. Run a speech night.
   If you run a speech night where everyone is free to speak, you can ask the audience to vote on their favourite speech. You can then nominate that person to represent the club at the Area level.
3. Nominate your representative.
   If you don’t have the competitors or can’t run one of the two above options you can just nominate your representative for the Area contest.

The important part of a speech competition is completing form 1182- Notification of winners . This should contain the list of all competitors in place order. This is needed in case the first placed competitor isn’t available for the next competition level in which case the next available competitor is invited to take place until someone accepts.

Club Contests can be run on nights or days other than normal club nights, giving members the best opportunity to compete.

If you don’t hold a competition, then it is recommended that you nominate three competitors in order of priority. If you nominate only one competitor and they can’t make the Area contest you will not be represented at the contest.

Area and Division contests will run contests according to the Toastmasters International rules.

Toastmasters International 2026-2027 Speech Contest Rulebook

 

Tips and FAQ

The district has produced a list of Tips and FAQ to help with running speech contests. You can see it at: Club Speech Contests FAQ – Toastmasters UK North & Ireland

If you have any questions on running contests, please email:
D71_contests@outlook.com

 

Good luck with your contests and we’ll see you at the District Finals

D71 Contest team