The first general election debate of the 2024 election season is here, and it�s a historic moment no matter what happens on stage.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are taking part in Thursday night�s debate in Atlanta. Not only is it the first-ever matchup between a sitting president and a former one, but it�s also the first debate for either candidate in this year�s election. And it�s happening so early in the general election campaign cycle that neither man will have accepted their party�s formal nomination yet.

Here�s how to watch the debate:

What time is the debate?
The debate will start at 9 p.m. ET Thursday. It�s being moderated by CNN�s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.

What channel is the debate on?
CNN is carrying the debate live on its broadcast network, as well as on CNN International, CNN en Espa�ol and CNN Max. Viewers can also view it live right here on YWN!

Where is the debate?
The setting for the first general election debate is CNN�s studios in Atlanta. Unlike the Republican primary debates, no audience will be present.

Once a Republican stronghold, Georgia was a pivotal battleground in 2020. Both parties are preparing for another closely contested race in the state this year. Trump also faces an indictment in Georgia for his push to �find 11,780 votes� and overturn Biden�s victory based on false or unproven theories of voter fraud.

Which candidates will be on stage?
Two candidates � Biden and Trump � will be on stage. For a time, it seemed like they wouldn�t be meeting up at all.

Biden�s campaign had proposed excluding third-party candidates, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., from the debates outright. Under the debate commission�s rules, Kennedy or other third-party candidates could qualify if they secured ballot access sufficient to claim 270 Electoral Votes and polled at 15% or higher in a selection of national surveys.

Both CNN and ABC announced the same qualification threshold, saying candidates will need to reach at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters that meet their standards, between March 13 and a week ahead of Thursday�s match up. Last week, CNN announced that Kennedy hadn�t met those markers.

(AP)