Tonight’s the night.  The first presidential debate is set for 6pm pacific.  It's the first of three debates tonight between HILLARY CLINTON and DONALD TRUMP. It takes place at Hostra University, in Hempstead, Long Island, and will be moderated by NBC's LESTER HOLT.

Here’s what to expect by way of format:

--The debate will be divided into six segments of approximately 15 minutes each, over a 90-minute period, with no commercial breaks, from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
   --Holt will open each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. Candidates will then have an opportunity to respond to each other. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a deeper discussion of the topic.

--The topics to be covered are America's direction, achieving prosperity and securing America.

--Ticket holders to the debate will receive instructions about how to behave and what to wear. The Secret Service will screen them and security will confiscate signs and posters and no "overt political costumes" will be tolerated.

--About a third of the tickets go to the campaigns, distributed in equal proportions. Another third go to the host school or university, which bears most of the cost of debate preparations. The final third go to the Commission on Presidential Debates, to be distributed among members of the organizing group, sponsors and local VIPs.

What each party says their candidate must do:

--Key goals for Trump: Establish that Clinton cannot be trusted, appear "presidential," have specifics on policy, don't take any "bait" and convince undecided voters that Clinton doesn't have any fresh ideas.

--Key goals for Clinton: Establish that Trump cannot be trusted, tell viewers that she understands how Washington works, be able to last 90-minutes with no physical issues, have ready responses to any questions about of her honesty

Listen live on NewsTalk 1280 KIT... let the games begin!

More From News Talk KIT