CPD Announces 2016 Debate Host Applicants

April 1, 2015

The following have submitted applications to host a 2016 general election debate:

Belmont University, Nashville, TN

City of Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

City of McAllen, McAllen, TX

Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA

Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY

Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

Houston Community College, Houston, TX

Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL

Longwood University, Farmville, VA

State University of New York Rockland Community College (SUNY RCC) in partnership with Rockland Debates 2016, Suffern, NY

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Las Vegas, NV

Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

West Virginia University and West Virginia State University, Charleston, WV

Wright State University, Dayton, OH




Jan 2, 2015

Request for proposals from sites interested in hosting a 2016 debate

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) is accepting applications from sites interested in hosting a 2016 presidential or vice presidential debate. The deadline to submit a proposal to host a debate is March 31, 2015.

Below is an overview of the requirements:

  • A debate hall of at least 17,000 square feet that is air conditioned.
  • A large parking area close to the debate hall for 40 television remote trucks, trailers and/or satellite trucks up to 53 feet in length.
  • A media filing center, located either in the same facility as the debate hall or extremely close to the debate hall that is a minimum of 20,000 square feet (may be a tent).  This space must be air conditioned.
  • A media parking lot, located approximately one-quarter to one mile away from the media filing center, that can accommodate approximately 500 passenger vehicles.
  • An accreditation center of at least 3,000 square feet, located one-half to one mile away from the debate hall, with parking for 75 vehicles.
  • Nearby hotels that can provide 3,000 rooms for the event.
  • Good air and ground transportation networks.
  • The host's guarantee of complete city services, including public safety personnel.

Specific requirements are subject to change.

Sites interested in applying to host a debate should e-mail applications@debates.org for complete site selection guidelines and application information.