What to buy for an anniversary volleyball tournament

Use this shopping list to prepare an anniversary volleyball tournament without missing the small items that slow registration, matches or catering down. Plan equipment for every court, plus backups for balls, scoring and power. For food and drinks, base quantities on the final player and guest count, then add a small buffer. Check borrowed equipment, ordered prizes and consumables one week before the tournament, not on the morning itself.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 110
Buffet tablesqty 4
Registration desk
Changing room benchesqty 12

Sports equipment

Volleyballsqty 12
Volleyball netsqty 3
Volleyball postsqty 6
Referees' chairsqty 3
Scoreboardsqty 3
Competition whistlesqty 6
Ball pumpqty 2
Backup ball basketsqty 3
Team bibsqty 32
Training conesqty 20
Athletic tapeqty 12
Ice packsqty 12
First aid kit
Ice packsqty 10

Equipment

Wireless microphone
Speakersqty 2
Music player
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable power banksqty 3
Prize display
Laptop
Printer

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Small bowlsqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 8
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Bread basketsqty 6
Thermos dispensersqty 3
Water jugsqty 8

Decorations

Anniversary bannerqty 2
Balloon archesqty 2
Balloonsqty 150
Tableclothsqty 12
Team table numbersqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 12

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED table lampsqty 8
Night lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Broomqty 3
Mop setsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Toilet brushesqty 4

Catering

Insulated bagsqty 4
Drink dispensersqty 4
Cake serversqty 2
Cake knivesqty 2
Label holdersqty 20
Corkscrewsqty 3
Bottle openersqty 4
Groceries
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Decaf coffee - 500 grams
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Herbal tea - 40 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 18 liters
- Cola Zero - 18 liters
- Orange Soda - 12 liter
- Iced tea - 12 liters
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 liters
- Still mineral water - 48 liters
- Sports drink - 24 liters
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Limes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Pepper mix - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Arugula - 8 bags
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Potato salad - 6 kilos
- Pasta salad - 6 kilos
- Couscous salad - 4 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Feta - 1.5 kilos
- Grated cheese - 1,5 kilos
- Herb cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Cheese - 2,5 kilo
- Vegan slices - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Yogurt dressing - 2 liters
- Balsamic dressing - 1 liter
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 250 grams
- Baguettes - 18 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Mini rolls - 180 pieces
- Mini croissants - 120 pieces
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 2 kilo
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Energy bars - 80 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Anniversary cake - 2 cakes
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Hand soap - 6 bottles

Tips

Plan at least one volleyball for each active court, plus two spare balls for the whole tournament. Test the ball pump and check that every net, post and referee’s chair is available before match day.
Allow one scoreboard, whistle and set of match forms for each court. Pack spare pens, tape and a clipboard with the scoring materials so results do not depend on one missing item.
For drinks, calculate two to three servings per person for the first hour and about one serving per person for each additional hour. Buy extra reusable cups and keep a separate supply near the registration desk.
Set aside enough team bibs to identify every team at once, with several spare bibs for late changes or damaged fabric. Athletic tape and ice packs should be kept courtside, not buried in the catering boxes.
Charge the microphone, speakers and power banks the day before. Bring extension cords and power strips, then test the complete setup at least 60 minutes before registration opens; keep cables away from playing areas.

Frequently asked questions

How many volleyballs do I need for a tournament?: Use one match ball per active court and add two spare volleyballs for the tournament. For example, three courts require at least five balls, provided all are properly inflated before the first match.
How much food and drink should I buy for a volleyball tournament?: Base catering on the final number of players, officials and guests, then add roughly 10% extra portions. For drinks, plan two to three servings per person in the first hour and one serving per person for every later hour.
What volleyball equipment is easy to forget?: The commonly missed items are spare balls, a ball pump, competition whistles, scoreboards, referee chairs and backup ball baskets. Check these seven days before the event so missing equipment can still be borrowed or hired.
When should I prepare the tournament shopping?: Complete the main shopping two to three days before the tournament, and buy fresh food and ice packs within 24 hours. Check prizes, materials and charged equipment again at least 60 minutes before registration starts.

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