Everything you need to know about the US presidential debates

Jamie Roberton

Former Health and Science Producer

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will face off for the first time in the first of three presidential debates on Monday.

They are traditionally one of the most eagerly-anticipated events of the election season, offering Americans the chance to see who looks best suited to the Oval Office.

Here's everything you need to know about the debates - which should be a fun watch to say the least.

  • When and where are the debates?

It's also worth noting that the two vice-presidential candidates, Tim Kaine and Mike Pence, will also take part in one debate.

  • What time do they start?

Each debate starts at 9pm local time and runs for 90 minutes without any advert breaks.

  • So how does it all play out?

The press room at Hofstra University, where the first debate will take place. Credit: Reuters

The first debate is divided into six 15-minute sections.

The topics will be: America's direction, achieving prosperity and securing America.

Each candidate will receive a two-minute window to answer a question. They are then allowed to respond to each other.

The second debate works slightly differently. Half of the questions come from undecided voters, while the other half comes from the moderator.

Throughout the debates, the moderator will be allowed to press the candidate if he/she believes they are being evasive.

  • Wait, how are the questions chosen?

The moderators and their networks choose.

This year, in what is a first for a presidential debate, Facebook will also source questions from users.

  • Who's moderating?

Lester Holt from NBC will chair the first debate. Credit: PA

NBC's Lester Holt will moderate the first debate.

Martha Raddatz, from ABC, and CNN's Anderson Cooper, will take joint charge of the second before Chris Wallace, of Fox News, moderates the final duel.

CBS' Elaine Quijano will moderate the vice-presidential debate.

  • Will there be fireworks in this one?

With Trump involved, most likely.

The billionaire's pursuit of the White House was initially mocked but he eased past his 16 Republican rivals to win the nomination and is now presenting Clinton with a tougher challenge than she anticipated.

And this is despite Trump embracing an inflammatory campaign where he has described Mexicans as rapists, proposed banning Muslims from the US and even hinted that his presidential rival could be assassinated.

Monday will not be boring.

  • Analysis

Our Washington Correspondent Robert Moore writes: