diff --git a/app/controllers/contest_descriptions_controller.rb b/app/controllers/contest_descriptions_controller.rb
index 4d0dbd2a..52cff0af 100644
--- a/app/controllers/contest_descriptions_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/contest_descriptions_controller.rb
@@ -26,7 +26,22 @@ def create
   end
 
   def update
-    handle_save(@contest_description.update(contest_description_params), 'updated')
+    # Check if trying to deactivate with active instances
+    if contest_description_params[:active] == "0" && @contest_description.active_contest_instances.any?
+      flash.now[:alert] = "Cannot deactivate contest description while it has active instances. Please deactivate all instances first."
+
+      respond_to do |format|
+        format.turbo_stream {
+          render turbo_stream: [
+            turbo_stream.replace('flash', partial: 'shared/flash_messages'),
+            turbo_stream.replace('contest_description_form', partial: 'contest_descriptions/form', locals: { contest_description: @contest_description })
+          ], status: :unprocessable_entity
+        }
+        format.html { render :edit, status: :unprocessable_entity }
+      end
+    else
+      handle_save(@contest_description.update(contest_description_params), 'updated')
+    end
   end
 
   def destroy
diff --git a/app/controllers/contest_instances_controller.rb b/app/controllers/contest_instances_controller.rb
index 5011e151..19e90fa2 100644
--- a/app/controllers/contest_instances_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/contest_instances_controller.rb
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 class ContestInstancesController < ApplicationController
   before_action :set_container
   before_action :set_contest_description
-  before_action :set_contest_instance, only: %i[show edit update destroy send_round_results]
+  before_action :set_contest_instance, only: %i[show edit update destroy send_round_results deactivate]
   before_action :authorize_container_access
 
   # GET /contest_instances
@@ -213,6 +213,21 @@ def export_round_results
     end
   end
 
+  def deactivate
+    @contest_instance.update(active: false)
+    @contest_description = @contest_instance.contest_description
+    respond_to do |format|
+      format.turbo_stream do
+        render turbo_stream: turbo_stream.replace(
+          'active-instances-list',
+          partial: 'contest_descriptions/active_instances_inline',
+          locals: { contest_description: @contest_description }
+        )
+      end
+      format.html { redirect_to container_contest_description_path(@contest_description.container, @contest_description), notice: 'Instance deactivated.' }
+    end
+  end
+
   private
 
   def authorize_container_access
diff --git a/app/models/contest_description.rb b/app/models/contest_description.rb
index 38ea4aa4..ce798e5d 100644
--- a/app/models/contest_description.rb
+++ b/app/models/contest_description.rb
@@ -29,6 +29,19 @@ class ContestDescription < ApplicationRecord
 
   validates :created_by, presence: true
   validates :name, presence: true, uniqueness: true
+  validate :cannot_deactivate_with_active_instances
 
   scope :active, -> { where(active: true) }
+
+  def active_contest_instances
+    contest_instances.where(active: true)
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def cannot_deactivate_with_active_instances
+    if will_save_change_to_active? && !active && contest_instances.where(active: true).exists?
+      errors.add(:active, 'Cannot deactivate contest description while instances are active.')
+    end
+  end
 end
diff --git a/app/models/contest_instance.rb b/app/models/contest_instance.rb
index fca1cfe4..934af75c 100644
--- a/app/models/contest_instance.rb
+++ b/app/models/contest_instance.rb
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ class ContestInstance < ApplicationRecord
   validate :must_have_at_least_one_category
   validate :only_one_active_per_contest_description
   validate :date_closed_after_date_open
+  validate :cannot_activate_if_description_inactive
 
   # Scopes
   scope :active_and_open, -> {
@@ -88,6 +89,14 @@ class ContestInstance < ApplicationRecord
     where.not(id: maxed_out_contest_instance_ids)
   }
 
+  scope :active_for_contest_description, ->(contest_description_id) {
+    where(active: true, contest_description_id: contest_description_id)
+  }
+
+  scope :for_contest_description, ->(contest_description_id) {
+    where(contest_description_id: contest_description_id)
+  }
+
   def open?
     active && Time.current.between?(date_open, date_closed)
   end
@@ -171,4 +180,10 @@ def date_closed_after_date_open
       errors.add(:date_closed, 'must be after date contest opens')
     end
   end
+
+  def cannot_activate_if_description_inactive
+    if active && contest_description && !contest_description.active?
+      errors.add(:active, 'Cannot activate a contest instance when its contest description is inactive.')
+    end
+  end
 end
diff --git a/app/views/containers/_container_detail.html.erb b/app/views/containers/_container_detail.html.erb
index 5698d7c3..32cd81e7 100644
--- a/app/views/containers/_container_detail.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/containers/_container_detail.html.erb
@@ -74,6 +74,11 @@
         </label>
       </div>
 
+      <div class="mb-3">
+        This collection has <span class="fw-bolder small"><%= pluralize(container_contest_descriptions.active.count, "active description") %></span>
+        and <span class="fw-bolder small"><%= pluralize(container_contest_descriptions.count - container_contest_descriptions.active.count, "inactive description") %></span>.
+      </div>
+
       <div class="container w-100 mx-auto">
         <% if container_contest_descriptions.present? %>
           <%= render 'contest_descriptions_table',
diff --git a/app/views/contest_descriptions/_active_instances_inline.html.erb b/app/views/contest_descriptions/_active_instances_inline.html.erb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..adc682eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/views/contest_descriptions/_active_instances_inline.html.erb
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+<turbo-frame id="active-instances-list">
+  <% active_instances = contest_description.active_contest_instances %>
+  <% if active_instances.any? %>
+    <div class="mt-4">
+      <h5>Active Contest Instances</h5>
+      <ul class="list-group">
+        <% active_instances.each do |instance| %>
+          <li class="list-group-item d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center">
+            <span>
+              <strong><%= instance.display_name %></strong>
+              <span class="text-muted small">[<%= l(instance.date_open, format: :short) %> - <%= l(instance.date_closed, format: :short) %>]</span>
+            </span>
+            <%= button_to 'Deactivate',
+                  deactivate_container_contest_description_contest_instance_path(
+                    contest_description.container, contest_description, instance
+                  ),
+                  method: :patch,
+                  data: { turbo_frame: 'active-instances-list' },
+                  class: 'btn btn-danger btn-sm' %>
+          </li>
+        <% end %>
+      </ul>
+    </div>
+  <% else %>
+    <div class="mt-4 text-muted">No active contest instances.</div>
+  <% end %>
+</turbo-frame>
diff --git a/app/views/contest_descriptions/_form.html.erb b/app/views/contest_descriptions/_form.html.erb
index 57a49f80..a8dacf87 100644
--- a/app/views/contest_descriptions/_form.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/contest_descriptions/_form.html.erb
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 <div id="contest_description_form" class="mb-1">
-  <%= simple_form_for([@container, @contest_description], html: { id: 'new_contest_description_form' }) do |f| %>
+  <%= simple_form_for([@container, @contest_description],
+    html: {
+      id: 'new_contest_description_form'
+    }) do |f| %>
     <%= f.error_notification %>
     <%= f.error_notification message: f.object.errors[:base].to_sentence if f.object.errors[:base].present? %>
 
@@ -18,3 +21,5 @@
     </div>
   <% end %>
 </div>
+
+<%= render 'contest_descriptions/active_instances_inline', contest_description: @contest_description %>
diff --git a/app/views/contest_descriptions/edit.html.erb b/app/views/contest_descriptions/edit.html.erb
index 8a29312a..667893df 100644
--- a/app/views/contest_descriptions/edit.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/contest_descriptions/edit.html.erb
@@ -6,4 +6,4 @@
 </div>
 <div id="contest_description_form">
   <%= render 'form' %>
-</div>
\ No newline at end of file
+</div>
diff --git a/app/views/contest_instances/index.html.erb b/app/views/contest_instances/index.html.erb
index ac97b501..b41dd3f5 100644
--- a/app/views/contest_instances/index.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/contest_instances/index.html.erb
@@ -47,6 +47,10 @@
       Show only <span class="fw-bolder">Active</span> contest instances
     </label>
   </div>
+  <div class="mb-3">
+    This contest has <span class="fw-bolder small"><%= pluralize(@contest_instances.active_for_contest_description(@contest_description.id).count, "active instance") %></span>
+    and <span class="fw-bolder small"><%= pluralize(@contest_instances.for_contest_description(@contest_description.id).count - @contest_instances.active_for_contest_description(@contest_description.id).count, "inactive instance") %></span>.
+  </div>
 
   <div id="contest_instances" class="table-responsive">
       <table class="table table-striped table-bordered">
diff --git a/config/routes.rb b/config/routes.rb
index 84f7a14a..e8ba039b 100644
--- a/config/routes.rb
+++ b/config/routes.rb
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@
           post 'send_round_results'
           get :export_entries
           get :export_round_results
+          patch :deactivate
         end
         resources :judging_rounds do
           member do
diff --git a/spec/controllers/contest_instances_controller_spec.rb b/spec/controllers/contest_instances_controller_spec.rb
index 677c62fd..e811233d 100644
--- a/spec/controllers/contest_instances_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/controllers/contest_instances_controller_spec.rb
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     let(:department) { create(:department) }
     let(:user) { create(:user, :axis_mundi) } # Admin user with full privileges
     let(:container) { create(:container, department: department) }
-    let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+    let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
     let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description) }
     let(:judging_round) { create(:judging_round, contest_instance: contest_instance, completed: true) }
 
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
     let(:department) { create(:department) }
     let(:user) { create(:user, :axis_mundi) } # Admin user with full privileges
     let(:container) { create(:container, department: department) }
-    let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+    let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
     let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description) }
 
     before do
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@
   describe 'GET #export_entries' do
     let(:department) { create(:department) }
     let(:container) { create(:container, department: department) }
-    let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+    let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
 
     context 'with authorized users' do
       let(:user) { create(:user, :axis_mundi) }
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@
   describe 'GET #export_round_results' do
     let(:department) { create(:department) }
     let(:container) { create(:container, department: department) }
-    let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+    let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
     let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description) }
     let(:judging_round) { create(:judging_round, contest_instance: contest_instance, completed: true) }
 
diff --git a/spec/controllers/entry_rankings_controller_spec.rb b/spec/controllers/entry_rankings_controller_spec.rb
index 2b999790..fa9ece59 100644
--- a/spec/controllers/entry_rankings_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/controllers/entry_rankings_controller_spec.rb
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 RSpec.describe EntryRankingsController, type: :controller do
   let(:container) { create(:container) }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description) }
   let(:judging_round) { create(:judging_round, contest_instance: contest_instance) }
   let(:entry) { create(:entry, contest_instance: contest_instance) }
diff --git a/spec/controllers/judge_dashboard_controller_spec.rb b/spec/controllers/judge_dashboard_controller_spec.rb
index 821e7626..5274ee6a 100644
--- a/spec/controllers/judge_dashboard_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/controllers/judge_dashboard_controller_spec.rb
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 RSpec.describe JudgeDashboardController, type: :controller do
   let(:container) { create(:container) }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
 
   # Start at a known point in time
   before(:all) do
diff --git a/spec/controllers/judging_assignments_controller_spec.rb b/spec/controllers/judging_assignments_controller_spec.rb
index 3ecdebc4..b0b818f6 100644
--- a/spec/controllers/judging_assignments_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/controllers/judging_assignments_controller_spec.rb
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 RSpec.describe JudgingAssignmentsController, type: :controller do
   let(:container) { create(:container) }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description) }
   let(:admin) { create(:user) }
   let!(:judge_role) { create(:role, kind: 'Judge') }
diff --git a/spec/controllers/judging_rounds_controller_spec.rb b/spec/controllers/judging_rounds_controller_spec.rb
index 240bad03..ea25c104 100644
--- a/spec/controllers/judging_rounds_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/controllers/judging_rounds_controller_spec.rb
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 RSpec.describe JudgingRoundsController, type: :controller do
   let(:container) { create(:container) }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description) }
   let(:judging_round) { create(:judging_round, contest_instance: contest_instance) }
   let(:admin) { create(:user) }
diff --git a/spec/features/bulk_contest_instance_creation_spec.rb b/spec/features/bulk_contest_instance_creation_spec.rb
index 95fca3ad..956474c3 100644
--- a/spec/features/bulk_contest_instance_creation_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/features/bulk_contest_instance_creation_spec.rb
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
     end
 
     it "shows only contest descriptions that have existing instances" do
-      description1 = create(:contest_description, container: @container)
-      description2 = create(:contest_description, container: @container)
+      description1 = create(:contest_description, :active, container: @container)
+      description2 = create(:contest_description, :active, container: @container)
       create(:contest_instance, contest_description: description1)
       create(:contest_instance, contest_description: description2)
 
@@ -22,13 +22,13 @@
       expect(page).to have_content(description2.name)
 
       # Create a new contest description without instances
-      new_description = create(:contest_description, container: @container)
+      new_description = create(:contest_description, :active, container: @container)
       expect(page).to have_no_content(new_description.name)
     end
 
     it "allows selection of multiple contest descriptions" do
-      description1 = create(:contest_description, container: @container)
-      description2 = create(:contest_description, container: @container)
+      description1 = create(:contest_description, :active, container: @container)
+      description2 = create(:contest_description, :active, container: @container)
       create(:contest_instance, contest_description: description1)
       create(:contest_instance, contest_description: description2)
 
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
     end
 
     it "requires date selection" do
-      description = create(:contest_description, container: @container)
+      description = create(:contest_description, :active, container: @container)
       create(:contest_instance, contest_description: description)
 
       visit new_container_bulk_contest_instance_path(@container)
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
     end
 
     it "creates new instances based on most recent existing instances" do
-      description = create(:contest_description, container: @container)
+      description = create(:contest_description, :active, container: @container)
       existing_instance = create(:contest_instance, contest_description: description)
       new_open_date = 1.month.from_now
       new_close_date = 2.months.from_now
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
     end
 
     it "validates date ranges" do
-      description = create(:contest_description, container: @container)
+      description = create(:contest_description, :active, container: @container)
       create(:contest_instance, contest_description: description)
 
       visit new_container_bulk_contest_instance_path(@container)
diff --git a/spec/features/judging_round_selection_spec.rb b/spec/features/judging_round_selection_spec.rb
index ac736a73..85afd56c 100644
--- a/spec/features/judging_round_selection_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/features/judging_round_selection_spec.rb
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 RSpec.describe 'Judging Round Selection', type: :system do
   let(:container) { create(:container) }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description) }
   let(:judging_round) do
     create(:judging_round,
diff --git a/spec/mailers/results_mailer_spec.rb b/spec/mailers/results_mailer_spec.rb
index 505e5b6b..6b02f3b2 100644
--- a/spec/mailers/results_mailer_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/mailers/results_mailer_spec.rb
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     let(:profile) { create(:profile, user: user) }
     let(:department) { create(:department) }
     let(:container) { create(:container, name: 'Test Container', department: department, contact_email: 'contact@example.com') }
-    let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, name: 'Test Contest', container: container) }
+    let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, name: 'Test Contest', container: container) }
     let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description, date_open: 2.months.ago, date_closed: 1.month.ago) }
     let(:category) { create(:category, kind: 'Poetry') }
     let(:entry) { create(:entry, title: 'Test Entry', profile: profile, contest_instance: contest_instance, category: category, pen_name: 'Writer Pen') }
diff --git a/spec/models/container_spec.rb b/spec/models/container_spec.rb
index e2ab38e9..524dc457 100644
--- a/spec/models/container_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/container_spec.rb
@@ -162,12 +162,22 @@
     end
 
     it 'excludes entries from inactive contest descriptions' do
-      inactive_desc = create(:contest_description, container: container, active: false)
-      inactive_instance = create(:contest_instance, contest_description: inactive_desc, active: true)
-      create(:entry, profile: create(:profile, campus: campus1), contest_instance: inactive_instance)
+      # Create an active contest description with an active instance and entry
+      active_desc = create(:contest_description, container: container, active: true)
+      active_instance = create(:contest_instance, contest_description: active_desc, active: true)
+      create(:entry, profile: create(:profile, campus: campus1), contest_instance: active_instance)
 
+      # Verify the entry is included initially
       summary = container.entries_summary
-      expect(summary.find { |s| s.campus_descr == 'Campus A' }.entry_count).to eq(2)
+      expect(summary.find { |s| s.campus_descr == 'Campus A' }.entry_count).to eq(3) # 2 from setup + 1 new
+
+      # Deactivate both the instance and description (business rule: must deactivate instance first)
+      active_instance.update!(active: false)
+      active_desc.update!(active: false)
+
+      # Now verify that entries from the deactivated contest description are excluded
+      summary = container.entries_summary
+      expect(summary.find { |s| s.campus_descr == 'Campus A' }.entry_count).to eq(2) # Back to original 2
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/spec/models/contest_description_spec.rb b/spec/models/contest_description_spec.rb
index 3223f01c..f7174550 100644
--- a/spec/models/contest_description_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/contest_description_spec.rb
@@ -64,4 +64,27 @@
       end
     end
   end
+
+  describe 'deactivation with active instances' do
+    let(:container) { create(:container) }
+    let!(:description) { create(:contest_description, container: container, active: true) }
+    let!(:active_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: description, active: true) }
+    let!(:inactive_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: description, active: false) }
+
+    it 'is not valid to deactivate if any contest_instance is active' do
+      description.active = false
+      expect(description).not_to be_valid
+      expect(description.errors[:active]).to include('Cannot deactivate contest description while instances are active.')
+    end
+
+    it 'is valid to deactivate if all contest_instances are inactive' do
+      active_instance.update!(active: false)
+      description.active = false
+      expect(description).to be_valid
+    end
+
+    it 'returns only active contest_instances from #active_contest_instances' do
+      expect(description.active_contest_instances).to contain_exactly(active_instance)
+    end
+  end
 end
diff --git a/spec/models/contest_instance_spec.rb b/spec/models/contest_instance_spec.rb
index 90bcc15f..845257ad 100644
--- a/spec/models/contest_instance_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/contest_instance_spec.rb
@@ -252,4 +252,19 @@
       end
     end
   end
+
+  describe 'activation with inactive contest_description' do
+    let(:description) { create(:contest_description, active: false) }
+    let(:instance) { build(:contest_instance, contest_description: description, active: true) }
+
+    it 'is not valid to activate if contest_description is inactive' do
+      expect(instance).not_to be_valid
+      expect(instance.errors[:active]).to include('Cannot activate a contest instance when its contest description is inactive.')
+    end
+
+    it 'is valid to activate if contest_description is active' do
+      description.update!(active: true)
+      expect(instance).to be_valid
+    end
+  end
 end
diff --git a/spec/policies/contest_instance_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/contest_instance_policy_spec.rb
index 03a6ef6c..03c384b7 100644
--- a/spec/policies/contest_instance_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/contest_instance_policy_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   subject { described_class.new(user, contest_instance) }
 
   let(:container) { create(:container) }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description) }
   let(:container_admin_role) { create(:role, kind: 'Collection Administrator') }
   let(:axis_mundi_role) { create(:role, kind: 'Axis Mundi') }
diff --git a/spec/system/email_preferences_spec.rb b/spec/system/email_preferences_spec.rb
index 9621dcca..edf4962a 100644
--- a/spec/system/email_preferences_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/email_preferences_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   let(:department) { create(:department, name: 'Test Department') }
   let(:admin_user) { create(:user, :axis_mundi) }
   let(:container) { create(:container, name: 'Test Container', department: department, contact_email: 'admin@example.com') }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, name: 'Test Contest', container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, name: 'Test Contest', container: container) }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description, date_open: 4.months.ago, date_closed: 3.months.ago) }
 
   # Create applicant user and entry
diff --git a/spec/system/judge_dashboard_spec.rb b/spec/system/judge_dashboard_spec.rb
index b121c3e5..1b45b40d 100644
--- a/spec/system/judge_dashboard_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/judge_dashboard_spec.rb
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ def last_entry_title
   let(:judge) { create(:user, first_name: 'John', last_name: 'Doe', email: 'judge+gmail.com@umich.edu') }
   let(:judge_role) { create(:role, :judge) }
   let(:container) { create(:container) }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container, name: 'Test Contest') }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container, name: 'Test Contest') }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance,
     contest_description: contest_description,
     date_open: 2.months.ago,
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ def last_entry_title
     it 'only shows assigned contests' do
       # Create another contest that the judge is not assigned to
       other_container = create(:container)
-      other_contest_description = create(:contest_description, container: other_container, name: 'Other Contest')
+      other_contest_description = create(:contest_description, :active, container: other_container, name: 'Other Contest')
       unassigned_contest = create(:contest_instance,
         contest_description: other_contest_description,
         date_open: 2.months.ago,
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ def last_entry_title
 
     context 'when attempting to access unassigned contest data' do
       let(:unassigned_container) { create(:container) }
-      let(:unassigned_contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: unassigned_container, name: 'Unassigned Contest') }
+      let(:unassigned_contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: unassigned_container, name: 'Unassigned Contest') }
       let(:unassigned_contest) { create(:contest_instance,
         contest_description: unassigned_contest_description,
         date_open: 2.months.ago,
diff --git a/spec/system/judge_management_spec.rb b/spec/system/judge_management_spec.rb
index 820d2ea6..c3a3718c 100644
--- a/spec/system/judge_management_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/judge_management_spec.rb
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 RSpec.describe 'Judge Management', type: :system do
   let(:container) { create(:container) }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description) }
   let(:admin_user) { create(:user) }
   let(:admin_role) { create(:role, kind: 'Collection Administrator') }
diff --git a/spec/system/judge_round_visibility_spec.rb b/spec/system/judge_round_visibility_spec.rb
index 81dbde3b..f6ff55e9 100644
--- a/spec/system/judge_round_visibility_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/judge_round_visibility_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   include ApplicationHelper
 
   let(:container) { create(:container) }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance,
     contest_description: contest_description,
     date_open: 5.days.ago,
diff --git a/spec/system/judging_results_email_spec.rb b/spec/system/judging_results_email_spec.rb
index 6ca16d80..2c6f6ef9 100644
--- a/spec/system/judging_results_email_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/judging_results_email_spec.rb
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
   let(:department) { create(:department, name: 'Test Department') }
   let(:admin_user) { create(:user, :axis_mundi) }
   let(:container) { create(:container, name: 'Test Container', department: department, contact_email: 'admin@example.com') }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, name: 'Test Contest', container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, name: 'Test Contest', container: container) }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description, date_open: 4.months.ago, date_closed: 3.months.ago) }
 
   # Create applicant user and entry
diff --git a/spec/system/judging_rounds_spec.rb b/spec/system/judging_rounds_spec.rb
index 2a3bd94a..287a1d30 100644
--- a/spec/system/judging_rounds_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/judging_rounds_spec.rb
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
   let(:admin) { create(:user) }
   let(:container) { create(:container) }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance,
     contest_description: contest_description,
     date_open: 2.days.ago,
diff --git a/spec/system/profile_access_spec.rb b/spec/system/profile_access_spec.rb
index 142af47a..c273754f 100644
--- a/spec/system/profile_access_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/profile_access_spec.rb
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 RSpec.describe 'Profile Access', type: :system do
   let(:container) { create(:container) }
-  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, container: container) }
+  let(:contest_description) { create(:contest_description, :active, container: container) }
   let(:contest_instance) { create(:contest_instance, contest_description: contest_description) }
   let(:profile) { create(:profile) }
   let(:profile_owner) { profile.user }