New York City's Campaign Finance Board unveils the schedule for the general election debates, along with the identified sponsors.
Announcing the New York City Debate Schedule for October 2025
The New York City Campaign Finance Board has unveiled the schedule for debates for citywide candidates in October 2025. The debates are set to provide New Yorkers with the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates who are running to represent them.
The debates will kick off on October 9, 2025, with the Public Advocate 1st General Election Debate. Hosted by NY1 and WNYC, this debate will feature candidates vying for the position of Public Advocate. Candidates who aren't participating in the public matching funds program may be invited to the debate by sponsors. The final schedule based on the eligibility requirements will be announced once data is available.
In a statement, the CFB Executive Director, Paul S. Ryan, emphasized the importance of these debates, particularly at a time when trust in government is eroded, and many people don't know where to get trustworthy information about elections.
The mayoral debates will take place on October 16 and October 22, 2025. The first debate will be held on October 16, 2025, at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBC 4, co-hosted with Telemundo and Politico. WNBC will also host the Mayoral 1st General Election Debate on October 16, 2025.
The second mayoral debate will be on October 22, 2025, at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on WNYC and NY1, co-hosted by Spectrum Noticias, The City, Museum of the City of New York, CUNY's Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and New York Law School's Center for New York City and State Law. There will also be a Mayoral Leading Contender General Election Debate on Oct. 22, 2025, hosted by NY1 and WNYC.
The debates for public advocate and comptroller will be hosted by PIX 11 and its partners. The Public Advocate Leading Contender General Election Debate will be held on Oct. 21, 2025, and the Comptroller 1st General Election Debate will take place on Oct. 14, 2025. The Comptroller Leading Contender General Election Debate will be held on Oct. 23, 2025.
Pix 11, along with partners El Diario NYC, Schneps Media, 1010 WINS, 94.7 WXBK, and WINS Noticias, will host these debates.
It is important to note that candidates who meet the debate stage criteria and opted into the city's matching funds program are required to participate in the debates. No candidates have been officially invited yet for the leading mayor, city council, and city controller elections in October 2025; internal party decisions and nominations, such as those from the CSU for the Munich city council, are still ongoing and will be finalized only after summer 2025.
The debates will be televised and broadcast on various channels, giving New Yorkers ample opportunity to engage with the candidates and make informed decisions ahead of the elections.
