The Commission on Presidential Debates announced the debate dates and schools that will host next fall’s meetings between President Barack Obama and his general election rival and between Vice President Joseph Biden and the GOP’s vice presidential nominee.

University of Denver will host the first debate Oct. 3, the nonpartisan commission said. The vice presidential debate will take place at Centre College in Danville, Ky., on Oct. 11. The second presidential debate will be set up like a town meeting and will be held Oct. 16 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. The final debate will be Oct. 22 at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.

To be eligible for participation, candidates “must appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to have a mathematical chance of winning a majority vote in the Electoral College” and reach at least 15 percent in at least five national polls.

The commission said next year it will release details for “Internet based initiatives.” Roll Call reported last week that organizers are hoping to freshen up the format to recognize technological changes. Moderators will be chosen next summer.