What you need for a badminton tournament

A badminton tournament needs more than rackets and shuttlecocks. You will need one complete net setup for every court, enough scoring materials for matches running at the same time, and a registration area that does not block play. Plan catering separately, including cups, plates and hot-drink equipment. This shopping list covers the practical equipment and supplies to prepare before opening the hall, including items people often leave until the last minute.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Beer benchesqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Badminton netsqty 6
Net polesqty 12
Shuttlesqty 24
Badminton racketsqty 40
Scoreboardsqty 12
Scorecard holdersqty 12
Whistlesqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 6
Shuttle tubesqty 6
Floor marking tapeqty 6
First aid kitsqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Badminton tournament bannersqty 4
Wayfinding signsqty 8
Name badgesqty 80
Badge holdersqty 80
Tableclothsqty 8

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea assortment - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Chocolate milk - 4 liters
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Kaiser rolls - 80 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 40 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1.5 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Apples - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Sugar-free cookies - 3 packs
- Vegetarian spreads - 6 tubs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Disinfecting wipes - 3 packs

Tips

Plan one net, one pair of net poles and one scoreboard per court in use. Buy or bring at least one spare shuttle tube for every two courts, because shuttles can be damaged or lost during a full day.
Count rackets by simultaneous players, not by total participants. For doubles, allow four usable rackets per active court and keep at least two spare rackets available for breakage or forgotten equipment.
Prepare one scorecard holder, a whistle and a stopwatch for each court or match official. Print extra competition forms and bring floor-marking tape several days before the tournament so missing supplies can still be replaced.
For registration and catering, provide one table with chairs, name badges and signage, then keep serving platters, tongs and cutting boards away from the playing area. Pack reusable cups, plates and cutlery by attendee count plus roughly 10% spare.
Check power and access at least one day before the tournament. Test the speakers and microphone, and bring enough extension cords for the coffee machines, kettles and any other equipment that cannot reach a wall socket.

Frequently asked questions

How many badminton shuttles do I need for a tournament?: Start with one full tube per court for every two to three hours of play, then add at least one spare tube for every two courts. A four-court tournament running for six hours should therefore pack at least 10 tubes, with more needed for high-level or fast-paced matches.
How many badminton rackets are needed for a tournament?: Allow four working rackets per court for doubles play, plus two spare rackets for every four courts. For six active courts, pack at least 24 usable rackets and 4 spares unless all players bring their own.
What scoring equipment is needed for a badminton tournament?: Prepare one scoreboard, scorecard holder, whistle and stopwatch per court in use. Bring at least 10% extra scorecards and printed competition forms, and pack the scoring supplies before the final setup day.
How many cups and plates should I buy for a badminton tournament?: Count one reusable cup, one plate and one cutlery set per attendee, then add 10% spare. For 60 people, prepare at least 66 cups, 66 plates and 66 cutlery sets, plus enough coffee cups and hot-drink capacity for the expected breaks.

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