WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) - The first U.S.

presidential debate between incumbent Joe Biden and Republican

rival Donald Trump on June 27 will include two commercial

breaks, no props and muted microphones except when recognized to

speak, CNN said Saturday.

In May, the candidates agreed to face off in two debates

including one this month that will be moderated by CNN anchors

Jake Tapper and Dana Bash in Atlanta, while the other on Sept.

10 will be hosted by ABC.

CNN said Saturday both candidates will appear at a uniform

podium during the 90-minute debate, podium positions will be

determined by a coin flip and candidates will be given a pen, a

pad of paper and a bottle of water but cannot use props.

"Microphones will be muted throughout the debate except for

the candidate whose turn it is to speak," CNN said.

CNN, a division of Warner Bros Discovery ( WBD ), said the

moderators "will use all tools at their disposal to enforce

timing and ensure a civilized discussion."

During the two commercial breaks, campaign staff may not

interact with their candidate, and there will be no studio

audience.

CNN said candidates eligible to participate must appear on a

sufficient number of state ballots to reach the 270 electoral

vote threshold needed to win and receive at least 15% in four

separate national polls.

CNN said it is "not impossible" Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is

running as an independent, could qualify, saying he has received

at least 15% in three qualifying polls to date and has qualified

for the ballot in six states, making him eligible for 89

electoral college votes.

Debates, which will draw a U.S. live television audience in

the tens of millions, are fraught with risks for both

candidates, who face a close race.

Biden has three preferred debate topics, according to a campaign

memo viewed by Reuters: abortion rights, the state of democracy

and the economy.

Trump refused to debate his rivals during the Republican

nominating race. His team has pointed to immigration, public

safety and inflation as key issues ahead of the debate.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama )