ABC News releases rules for 2024 presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — In less than a week, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will hold their first debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

The 2024 presidential debate will take place on September 10 and will be hosted by ABC News.

On Wednesday, ABC News released the rules for the highly anticipated event.

Officials say both Harris and Trump have accepted the guidelines.

Rules of debate:

• The debate will last 90 minutes with two commercial breaks.

• The two current moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, will be the only ones asking questions

• On September 3, a virtual coin toss was held to determine podium positions and the order of closing remarks; Trump won the toss and chose the order of speeches. He will deliver the final closing remarks, while Harris chose the right podium on the screen (left side of the stage)

• Candidates will be introduced by moderators

• Candidates will take the stage after being introduced from opposite sides; the incumbent party will be introduced first.

• There will be no opening statements; closing statements will be two minutes for each candidate.

• The candidates will stand behind the podium throughout the debate.

• No props or pre-written notes are allowed on stage.

• We will not share any topics or questions in advance

• Candidates will receive a pen, notebook and a bottle of water.

• Candidates will have two minutes to answer questions, two minutes for rejoinders, and one additional minute for additional actions, explanations, or answers.

• Candidates’ microphones will be turned on only for the candidate whose turn it is to speak, and muted when it is another candidate’s turn to speak.

• Candidates will not be allowed to ask each other questions

• Campaign workers are not allowed to contact candidates during commercial breaks.

• Moderators will try to enforce time limits and ensure a civilized discussion.

• There will be no audience in the hall.

SEE ALSO | ABC News Presidential Debate to Be Held at National Constitution Center in Philadelphia

As the debate approaches, Harris and Trump are increasingly pointing their paths to the presidency as their campaigns begin a two-month sprint toward Election Day.

Candidates are largely focused on influencing undecided voters. Their campaigns will try to focus their messages on three familiar issues — the economy, immigration and abortion — even in the midst of heated debates about character, culture and democracy.

“ABC News Presidential Debate | Race to the White House” will air on September 10 at 9:00 p.m. The event will be available on ABC and broadcast on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.