When will the Trump-Harris debate take place – and what rules apply? What you should know | US elections 2024

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will face off in a presidential debate on Tuesday night, the first – and possibly only – meeting between the two before the November election. It is widely seen as a pivotal moment in the 2024 campaign, with both candidates currently neck and neck in the polls.

The US Vice President will likely use the 90-minute debate to further explain her campaign promises and present herself as a candidate apart from Joe Biden. Trump's campaign team hopes that the “happy” version of the former president will emerge.

In a tight race that could be decided by a tiny fraction of the electorate, even a minimal lead for either candidate could matter. The debate comes just 55 days before the Nov. 5 election.

Here's what else you should know about tonight's presidential debate.

When will the Harris-Trump debate take place?

The debate is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET (that's 8 p.m. CT, 7 p.m. MT, or 6 p.m. PT) on Tuesday, September 10. It will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, an institution dedicated to the study of the U.S. Constitution.

How long will the debate last?

The debate will last 90 minutes – the same length as the Biden-Trump debate in June. There will be two commercial breaks.

How to follow the presidential debate between Harris and Trump in the USA

The debate will air live on ABC channels beginning at 9 p.m. ET. ABC will stream the debate live for free on its website, app, and on Disney+ and Hulu. Major news networks will likely broadcast the debate in prime time. PBS will have live coverage of the debate beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

The Guardian has a team of reporters in Philadelphia who will stream the debate and cover it with a live blog, live analysis and news.

How to follow the debate outside the US

In the UK, the BBC will broadcast the debate and Channel 4 will broadcast it live. (The debate starts at 2am in the UK.)

In Australia, the debate will be available on Channel 9 and 9Now, as well as on SBS. It begins at 11am Sydney time.

Who moderates the debate?

ABC anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the debate. Muir is the anchor of ABC World News Tonight and Davis anchors World News Tonight on Sundays.

What are the debate rules?

The Trump and Harris campaigns had clashed over debate guidelines. The Harris campaign had previously pushed for live, or “hot,” mics, arguing that this would “fully enable meaningful exchanges between the candidates.” Meanwhile, the Trump campaign had pushed for them to be turned off, as was done for the first debate with Biden.

A statement from ABC clarified that both candidates' microphones will be muted during the debate when their opponent is speaking.

Other rules agreed to by both sides, according to ABC News, include:

• No opening speech, the closing speech will last two minutes per candidate

• The candidates stand behind lecterns for the duration of the debate

• Props and pre-written notes are not allowed on stage

• No topics or questions will be announced in advance

• Candidates are not allowed to ask each other questions.

Candidates will have two minutes to answer questions, two minutes for rebuttals, and an additional minute for follow-up questions, clarifications, or answers. After winning a virtual coin toss, Trump chose to deliver the second closing remarks; Harris chose the right podium position on the screen, meaning Trump will stand on the left.

What else you should know

Kamala Harris will be joined tonight by her husband Doug Emhoff, her sister Maya Harris and her husband Tony West at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, NBC News reported.

According to CNN, Donald Trump will be accompanied by his eldest son Eric Trump and his wife and chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, Lara Trump. It is unclear whether Melania Trump will also be present.

What’s next on the election calendar?

Vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz will participate in a debate on October 1. The vice presidential debate will be moderated by CBS News and will take place in New York City.

It is unclear whether Harris and Trump will participate in a second debate.