Contests

30,000 Members!

That’s how many members participate in speech contests all around the world in Toastmasters.

Participating in Speech Contests provides you with an opportunity to grow as a communicator by challenging you to step up every aspect of your skills. It gives you an opportunity to hone your speaking skills to a greater degree and receive recognition in front of new audiences beyond your club. It’s also a chance to introduce new people to Toastmasters, hold a special event for your club, and develop organizational skills along the way.

Contest season begins with Club Contests conducted at the club level in January. Club winners advance to the Area Contests in February, Area winners to the Division Contests in April, and Division winners compete at the District 101 District Contests during the Annual Conference in May. The winner of the International Speech contest at the District level will have their recorded speech judged at the Quarterfinals. Those winners will advance to the Toastmasters International Convention in August where they give their speech live at the Semifinals in a battle for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking.

Challenge yourself and others in your club and participate in the speech and evaluation contests. You’ll be glad you did!

2026 Contests

District 101 offers two different speech contests this spring. Members will compete at the District level in a Tall Tales Speech Contest and the International Speech Contest.

Tall Tales

Contestants present a 3-5 minute speech on a topic that is highly-exaggerated and improbable in theme or plot.

International Speech

Contestants present a 5-7 minute speech on any subject they choose. The International Speech contest has three levels of competition beyond the District Contest: the Quarterfinals (video record of the District speech), the Semifinals, and the World Championship of Public Speaking® which occurs at the Toastmasters International Convention.

Contest Planning and Resources

Planning your speech contest involves preparation of your contest kit. Find the contest kit (handouts), rule book, FAQ, contest briefing documents, and editable scripts on our Contest Resources page.

Area and Division Contest Schedule

District 101 Contest Finals

Past Winners

Other Possible Contests

Evaluation

Contestants observe a 5-7 minute “test speech” and then present a 2-3 minute evaluation of that test speech.

Humorous

Contestants present a 5-7 minute humorous speech that must be thematic in nature (opening, body, and closing), not a monologue (series of one-liners).

Table Topics

Contestants give a 1-2 minute impromptu speech based on a topic given to them when the contest chair introduces them. All contestants receive the same topic.

Questions?

Contact our Program Quality Director