Presidential debate 2020: How to watch Trump vs. Biden debate live on Sept. 29 - CNET

Three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate are scheduled to take place before Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 9 pm. to 10:30 p.m. ET (6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PT) at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. 

The debate will run for 90 minutes and comprise six 15-minute segments with no commercial breaks. Chris Wallace of Fox News will moderate. Debate topics will be announced prior to the event, but there should be plenty to discuss, from the coronavirus pandemic and wildfires ravaging the country to racial unrest, a struggling economy and a sudden Supreme Court vacancy after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

How can I watch the debate on TV or online?

The debate will be shown live on every major network and cable news channel, including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and C-SPAN. You'll also be able to stream the debate live on YouTube.

What is the full debate schedule?

There will be three presidential debates between Trump and Biden and one vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris over the next four weeks.

First presidential debate

• Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29
• Location: Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio
• Time: 9-10:30 p.m. ET (6-7:30 p.m. PT)
• Moderator: Chris Wallace, anchor of Fox News Sunday

Vice presidential debate

• Date: Wednesday, Oct. 7
• Location: University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah
• Time: 9-10:30 p.m. ET (6-7:30 p.m. PT)
• Moderator: Susan Page, USA Today Washington Bureau chief

Second presidential debate

• Date: Thursday, Oct. 15
• Location: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida
• Time: 9-10:30 p.m. ET (6-7:30 p.m. PT)
• Moderator: Steve Scully, political editor of C-SPAN

Third presidential debate

• Date: Thursday, Oct. 22
• Location: Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee
• Time: 9-10:30 p.m. ET (6-7:30 p.m. PT)
• Moderator: Kristen Welker, NBC News White House correspondent

Why only one moderator per debate?

In previous years, two or three people shared moderator duties for the debates. With the coronavirus pandemic this year, there will be a single moderator at each debate to reduce the number of people in the room.

How can I watch the first presidential debate without cable?

If you don't have a cable or satellite TV subscription, then you can watch the debate with a live-TV streaming service. All of the services listed below carry the major networks and cable news channels. If you want to watch the debate on a particular local network, you can check if each service carries it in your area with the links below.

If you live in an area with good reception, you can watch the debate on ABC, CBS, Fox or NBC for free on over-the-air broadcast channels just by attaching an affordable (under $30) indoor antenna to nearly any TV.

All of the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our massive streaming services guide.