Watch Wednesday’s Presidential Debate at the Movies

Regal Cinema locations across the country plan to air the third and final presidential debate between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Regals in the Tampa Bay area are taking part in the free event.

In recent national polling, Clinton leads head-to-head match-ups against Trump, with the Democrat holding 47.7 percent support compared to 42.2 percent for the New York businessman, according to averages compiled by RealClear Politics.

The poll was conducted among 1,999 registered voters Oct. 13-15 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Among Trump's talking points on the campaign trail over the weekend he suggested that he and Clinton take drug tests before this week's final debate. Some saw it as a jab at Clinton's health, after she was treated for pneumonia, while others took it as a response to social media suggestions that Trump's repeated sniffing into the microphone during the first two debates might have been prompted by recreational drug use.

"We're like athletes," Trump told a crowd Saturday in New Hampshire. "I think we should take a drug test prior to the next debate. Why don't we do that?"

Regal Cinemas in the Tampa Bay area that are offering the free showing include:

• Regal Citrus Park Stadium 20, Tampa
• Regal Hollywood Stadium 20, Sarasota
• Regal Park Place Stadium 16, Pinellas Park

“Regal Cinemas is excited to offer voters, debate teams, political science classes, or regular Joes the chance to watch Clinton vs. Trump in the third and final presidential debate on the big screen,” the movie theater company wrote on its website. Entry into the theater is free, but tickets must be picked up at the box office. To sweeten the deal, Regal is offering a free small soft drink with any popcorn purchase.

More via the Regal Cinemas website

Photo credit: Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump photos byGage Skidmore, Flickr Commons

Patch editor Deb Belt contributed to this story.