NTK BLIND DEBATE · SEASON 1 · FEBRUARY 2027
No topic in advance. No script. Just you, thinking live.
NTK Blind Debate is a live online debate competition for young people aged 10–16. The topic is revealed live, opponents are revealed on the day, and the audience vote decides who advances.
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HOW IT WORKS
Five moments. One live result.
Know the rules, not the topic
Contestants know the format and the rules. The topic stays secret.
The reveal
Your opponent is revealed on the day. The topic is revealed live, then you get 15 minutes alone in the prep room.
The debate happens live
Opening, rebuttal, crossfire and closing, all in real time.
The audience votes live
The official vote opens the moment the debate ends.
The result changes the bracket
The winner is announced live and advances immediately.
You can't memorise your way through this. It rewards what matters most: thinking on your feet, respectful disagreement and clear reasoning under pressure.
ONE LIVE DEBATE
15 minutes to prepare. 15 minutes to make the case.
The topic is a surprise. The format never is.
THEN THE LIVE DEBATE
THE ROAD TO THE FINAL
16 contestants. 10 episodes. One champion.
A clean knockout, February to April 2027. Every live vote matters.
Shared between the champion, runner-up and third place.
WHY TAKE PART
A credible stage to think clearly, speak confidently and be heard.
Thinking on your feet
Build an argument on the spot, back it up and defend it under pressure.
Listening & rebuttal
Hear the other side properly and respond in real time.
Composure
Stay calm and clear in front of a live audience.
Recognition
Compete with young people across the diaspora and earn your place on a live stage.
HOW TO APPLY
Guardian-led from the first click.
A parent or guardian applies on their child's behalf.
- 1ApplyA parent or guardian completes the form, 1–30 November.
- 2ReviewEvery application is scored against the same criteria.
- 3InterviewShortlisted applicants are interviewed in December.
- 4Final 20 selected16 contestants and 4 reserves.
- 5RehearseConsent, tech check and a full rehearsal before Episode 1.
Key dates
- Register interestNow
- Applications open1 November 2026
- Applications close30 November 2026
- Interviews & shortlistingDecember 2026
- Final 20 confirmedDecember 2026
- Episode 1February 2027
- Season runsFeb–Apr 2027
What we look for
Clear thought and respectful communication. Accent and polish are not what we're judging.
FOR PARENTS
Exciting for them. Safe and fair for everyone.
Every contestant is under 18, so safety is built in from the start.
Guardian consent first
Participation, livestream and media consent are completed by a parent or guardian before anything goes live.
Privacy protected
Contestants appear by first name and contestant number only. No surnames, schools, exact locations or social handles.
Safeguarding lead every episode
A named safeguarding lead is on duty for every live show, with authority to pause or stop participation if a child's welfare is at risk.
Moderated live chat
Moderators and filters keep the audience chat respectful. Abusive comments are removed and reported.
Fair for ages 10–16
Age-appropriate motions that reward reasoning, not specialist knowledge, plus a balanced cast across the age range.
Dignity on screen
Mistakes, nerves or a dropped connection are never turned into entertainment. Fairness comes before the vote.
WATCH & VOTE
The audience decides.
Weekly on YouTube Live. Every vote is verified before the result is announced.
YouTube Live
Join the live stream, follow the reveal and watch both sides make their case.
2-minute window
Scan the QR code or use the short link on screen. One vote per person, in the official window.
Checked before announced
No guessing and no result without an official verified vote. A tie triggers a 90-second tie-break and a new vote.
Winner revealed live
The result is announced on the stream and the bracket updates straight away.
SPONSOR SEASON 1
Put your brand behind young voices.
NTK Blind Debate is a weekly live show for families across the UK, Canada, the US and beyond. Sponsors gain brand-safe visibility with an engaged audience of parents and young people, while helping the next generation build confidence and critical thinking.
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions.
What is NTK Blind Debate?
A live online debate competition for young people aged 10–16. Contestants know the rules, but their opponent is only revealed on the day and the topic is only revealed live. After each debate, the audience votes and the winner advances.
Do contestants know the topic in advance?
No. Topics are revealed live on the day. Contestants then have 15 minutes in the prep room to plan their arguments, on their own. No one can arrive with a prepared script, which is what makes it a true test of thinking on your feet.
Will contestants know who they are debating?
Not until the day of their debate. As the season goes on and contestants advance week by week, the remaining debaters become known, but who faces whom is only revealed on the day.
Can parents help during the 15-minute preparation?
No. Contestants prepare alone in the prep room, without support from parents, tutors or anyone else. It keeps the competition fair, and it's part of what makes it a real test of independent thinking.
How can my child prepare if the topic is a secret?
By building skills rather than memorising answers: structuring an argument quickly, listening carefully, rebutting respectfully and staying calm. Every contestant also receives the rules, the format and a full rehearsal before their first match.
Does my child need to be a Naijatutors student?
No. NTK Blind Debate is open to all young people aged 10–16, whether or not they learn with Naijatutors Konnect.
Who can apply?
Any young person aged 10–16; you don't need to be a Naijatutors student. Applications must be made by a parent or guardian. We're welcoming applications from families in the UK, Canada, the United States, the UAE, Europe and Australia.
When does Season 1 start?
Season 1 begins in February 2027 and runs through to April 2027, with one live episode each week. Applications are open from 1 to 30 November 2026, with interviews and shortlisting in December. Register your interest now to be reminded when applications open.
How are contestants chosen?
Every application is scored against the same criteria: reasoning, structure, clarity, evidence, composure, originality and respect. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed in December, and the final 20 are selected: 16 contestants and 4 reserves.
How is the winner of each debate decided?
By the live audience vote. The official vote opens for two minutes straight after each debate, and the result is verified before it is announced live.
What can contestants win?
A US$1,000 reward pool shared between three winners: the champion, the runner-up and the third-place finisher. Full details will be published in the official rules.
How do you keep my child safe and private?
Guardian consent is required before anything goes live. Contestants appear by first name and contestant number only, the live chat is moderated, and a named safeguarding lead is on duty for every episode with authority to pause or stop participation.
What if my child's internet drops during a debate?
Every contestant completes a technical check and rehearsal beforehand, with a backup plan. If a connection drops live, we pause and reconnect. Fairness always comes before the vote.
Is my child too young to compete against 16-year-olds?
No. Motions reward reasoning rather than specialist knowledge, the cast is balanced across the age range, and we avoid repeated first-round mismatches created only by age.
How do I watch and vote?
Episodes stream on YouTube Live. During each episode, a QR code and short link appear on screen so you can vote in the official two-minute window.
LIVE · SEASON 1
The debate is live.The vote is live.The result is live.
Season 1 · Ages 10–16 · February 2027. Applications open 1 November 2026 and close 30 November. Register your interest so you don't miss it.
Register your interest