The Loyola Debating Society was founded 1875 and is the oldest student organization at Loyola University of Chicago. In 2025, the team will celebrate 150 years in existence.

Although the team primarily participates in British Parliamentary Debate, the team welcomes all majors and all levels of experience. The Debating Society hosts on-campus events, related to debate but not competitive, such as the Harry Potter Debate and the Game of Thrones Debate. Other events include Presidential debate watch parties and film screenings.

The team has traveled nationally and internationally and has received local, regional and national recognition in competitions. In 2012 success at the first Civic Debates Tournament held at George Washington University earn two debaters a study tour of Europe and an invitation to the Oxford Inter-Varsity Debate Tournament the following year. Loyola has attended the event several times since 2013.The team also hosts debate tournaments at Loyola University of Chicago. Teams from around the country compete. International teams have visited Loyola University of Chicago, such as the British National Touring Team.

The team is committed to Loyola’s mission of social justice. Team members have served as coaches and judges for Chicago Debates (formerly Chicago Debate Commission), which serves the Chicago Public School System. In 2001, the Loyola Debate Team hosted a tournament for this organization, which was, at the time, the largest tournament in the United State for urban debate league students.

In 2017, Loyola hosted the Urban Debate National Championship, the only national tournament exclusively for urban debate leagues. More than 100 top-ranked debaters and coaches attended.

For information about joining the team or attending events email the Director of Debate David Romanelli at dromane@luc.edu.