2028 presidential debates
No 2028 debate schedule has been announced yet. Debates are organized by campaigns and media organizations, not set by law. Based on recent cycles, primary debates are expected to begin in 2027 and general election debates in the fall of 2028 - but no dates, formats, or host networks have been confirmed.
When are the 2028 presidential debates?
Not yet scheduled. No organization has announced 2028 debate dates, formats, or qualifying thresholds. In recent election cycles, general election debates have been held in September and October of the election year. Primary debates organized by the national parties typically begin roughly 12 to 18 months before the first primary - pointing to 2027 for the 2028 cycle. Until the candidates and organizers are in place, no firm dates can be given.
Primary debates vs. general election debates
Primary debates
Primary debates feature candidates from the same party competing for the nomination. They are organized by the national party committees in partnership with television networks. To qualify for the stage, candidates must typically clear both polling and fundraising thresholds set by the organizers.
- Timing: Typically begin 12-18 months before the first primary - pointing to 2027 for the 2028 cycle.
- Format: Multiple candidates on stage; question-and-answer with rebuttals. Rules vary by organizer.
- Voluntary: Frontrunners sometimes skip primary debates; underdog candidates rely on them to raise their profile.
- 2028 status: No schedule, thresholds, or networks announced yet.
See also: 2028 primary calendar and how primary debates work.
General election debates
General election debates put each party's nominee on the same stage. They draw the largest audiences of the campaign cycle and can significantly shift voter sentiment. Unlike primaries, the general election stage typically features only two candidates.
- Timing: Typically September and October of the election year - so fall 2028 for the 2028 cycle.
- Organization: Historically organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) from 1988 to 2020; in 2024, debates were arranged directly between campaigns and networks. The 2028 model is not yet set.
- Voluntary: Candidates are not required by law to participate.
- 2028 status: No sponsor, dates, or format announced.
See also: 2028 election date and timeline and 2028 party conventions.
How presidential debates are organized
Presidential debates are not required by the Constitution or federal law. They are organized through negotiations between campaigns, political parties, and media organizations. The rules - who qualifies, how long each candidate speaks, whether there is a live audience, how moderators can follow up - are re-negotiated each cycle.
The Commission on Presidential Debates, a nonpartisan nonprofit, organized general election debates from 1988 through 2020. In 2024, the major parties bypassed the CPD and agreed to debates organized directly by CNN and ABC News under terms negotiated with the campaigns. Whether the 2028 cycle will use the CPD model, the network model, or something else is not yet determined.
For primary debates, the national party committees typically publish qualifying thresholds - polling percentages, donor counts - months in advance. Candidates who clear those thresholds are invited to participate. For 2028, no qualifying criteria or primary debate schedule has been published by either party.
2028 debates FAQ
When are the 2028 presidential debates?
Are presidential candidates required to debate?
Who organizes the 2028 presidential debates?
How many presidential debates will there be in 2028?
How are primary debates in 2028 different from the general election debates?
See also: When is the first 2028 debate? · How primary debates work · 2028 primary calendar · Full candidate tracker