The question
Pick the issue. Prove it matters most. Fix it.
Every team answers the same question, but chooses its own issue. Your job is to convince the judges that your issue outranks every other one on stage, and to set out a policy that would actually work.
Issues teams might take on
Teams name their issue when they register. A maximum of two teams can argue the same issue, so register early to claim yours.
Order of business
How it works
One team per university. A video round decides who reaches the stage.
- 1
Register your team
Two or three students from the same university. Name your speakers and your issue.
- 2
Film your speech
One video, up to 6 minutes, every speaker on camera. A phone and one take is enough.
- 3
Public vote and shortlist
Every video is published. The public votes for People's Choice while the judges pick six finalists.
- 4
The final
Six teams, 8 minutes each on stage, then 4 minutes of questions from the judges and a rival team.
The video rules
- Up to 6 minutes, filmed on a phone is fine.
- One take allowed. No editing needed. We judge the argument, not the production.
- Every speaker on camera, each with a real part of the case.
- Name your issue and your solution in the first minute.
Why enter, even if you do not make the final
- Published and promoted: your video goes out on SOTU channels with your team and university tagged.
- People's Choice, £50: rally your friends and societies to vote.
- Written feedback from a judge for every team.
- Five free tickets to the final for every entering team.
- Coaching call with a judge for the first five videos in.
- A certificate and a line for your CV and LinkedIn.
Judging
Marked on the argument, not the politics
The rubric is public. A panel of three judges from academia, the media and the law score every team the same way, whatever side of the house it sits on.
Prizes
£500 in prizes
Plus the SOTU trophy and their speech published in full.
Second-placed team.
The strongest individual on the night.
Most votes in the public video round.
The final · Thursday 28 January 2027
Marylebone Theatre
Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT. Five minutes' walk from Baker Street and Marylebone stations.
Tickets £5 for students, £10 general admission. About 100 seats.
Running order
| 18:00 | Doors and drinks |
| 18:30 | Welcome and the question |
| 18:40 | Teams one to three |
| 19:20 | Interval, with entry clips on screen |
| 19:35 | Teams four to six |
| 20:15 | People's Choice announced |
| 20:35 | Results and prizes |
| 20:45 | Reception |
Tickets · Thursday 28 January 2027 · Marylebone Theatre
Get a seat for the final
Watch six university teams argue for Britain's most important issue, then join them for drinks after the result.
General ticket
Everyone else: alumni, professionals, family and friends.
Buy general ticketTeam allocation
Every team that submits a video gets five free tickets for its speakers and supporters, sent by email when the video is submitted.
Enter your teamPayment is handled securely by Stripe. Your receipt is your ticket: your name is on the door list.
Seats are unreserved. Doors open at 18:00. Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event.
Partners
Back the next generation of political voices
Put your name in front of politically engaged students from ten universities, on every published video and on stage in London.
Headline partner
£1,000 · one placeSOTU "in association with" your brand, a short address from the stage, presenting the winner's prize, and six tickets.
Supporting partner
£400 · three placesName the Best Speaker or People's Choice award, logo on site and screen, three tickets.
In-kind partner
Goods or servicesDrinks, filming, print or media support, credited on the site and from the stage.
Enter
Register your team by 20 November
One team per university, free to enter. Every team that submits a video gets five free tickets to the final. If your politics, debating or law society wants the place, get in first.