Competition Overview

The YMCA National Judicial Competition (NJC) is an annual competition for high school student participants in the model judicial components – Appellate Court and Mock Trial – of the YMCA Youth and Government program.

2026 YMCA National Judicial Competition
Monday, July 27th – Thursday, July 30th | Austin, Texas
Hosted by YMCA of the USA

Getting to NJC: Austin is served by one major airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which is located about 10 miles away from the competition hotel. 

Participating Youth and Government state programs select students from their state to compete in either the Appellate or Mock Trial competitions.

If you haven’t been in touch with your State Director/staff regarding attending NJC, please connect with them first before registering. You can find contact information for state programs here. 

Questions? Contact Angie Castilleja, Conference Director, at angie.castilleja@ymca.net

Registration

Register: (link will be posted here when published)

Registration Deadline: TBD

Student Fees: $510 |  Adult Fees: $510 (shared room), $780 (private room)
Competition fee includes hotel (triple occupancy for students; double occupancy for adults with an upcharge for a private room), two dinners, Tuesday night evening activities, and conference printed materials.

Mock Trial Competition

Case materials and rules/procedures for Mock Trial teams for the 2026 YMCA National Judicial Competition will be linked here when available. 

Appellate Competition 

Case materials for Appellate teams for the 2026 YMCA National Judicial Competition will be linked here when available.