Have you ever been knocked down and counted out, and then found your way back anyway? Speaker Slam® is kicking off its 11th season with The Comeback, and applications are now open.
The deadline to apply is January 1st, 2027. The competition takes place February 23rd, 2027 at Lula Lounge in Toronto. The event is livestreamed, so your friends and family can cheer you on from anywhere in the world.
What This Theme Is About
The Comeback is about the return. The moment you got back up after everything told you to stay down. Maybe you rebuilt after losing everything. Maybe you came back from a failure people were sure would define you. Maybe you found your way back from a place you never thought you'd leave. These are the kinds of stories this theme was made for.
We are looking for real stories from people who came back stronger than the thing that knocked them down. If you have ever refused to let your lowest moment be the end of your story, we want to hear it. Your story might be the push someone else needs to believe their own comeback is still possible.
Who Should Apply
Speaker Slam® welcomes speakers at every level. First-time speakers have won competitions on our stage before. A strong personal story carries more weight than polished delivery, and if you have lived a comeback that genuinely changed the direction of your life, we want to hear it.
This competition draws coaches, entrepreneurs, advocates, authors, and healthcare professionals, alongside people who simply have a story worth telling. If you have ever gotten back up when staying down would have been easier, this theme was written for you.
About the Competition
Twelve selected speakers each deliver a five-minute inspirational speech on the night of the competition. Four industry judges score each performance across six categories using a 100-point system, and the audience votes for their favourite. The winner takes home a prize package valued at up to $10,000, including $2,000 cash. The top three speakers advance to the 2027 Grand Slam: Inspirational Speaking Finals.
Every speaker who competes receives a professionally filmed, multi-camera video of their speech. That video becomes a lasting asset for building a speaking career, pitching media, and sharing their story beyond the stage.
Event Details
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 23rd, 2027 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
📍 Location: Lula Lounge, Toronto, Ontario
🏆 Prize: Package valued at up to $10,000 including $2,000 cash
🎤 Format: 12 speakers · 5-minute speeches · 4 industry judges
One Speech Can Change Your Life
Speaker Slam® has been running since 2016. In that time, more than 1,000 speakers have taken the stage and collectively generated over 100 million video views. Speakers have gone on to land TEDx talks, book deals, national media coverage, and full-time speaking careers. For many of them, it started with a five-minute story on our stage.
This is the first of four themes in Season 11. Applications are reviewed personally. If your story is a fit for this theme, we will reach out to set up a conversation.
Application Deadline
January 1st, 2027
Spots are limited to 12 speakers. Early applications are encouraged.