What to buy for a basketball tournament

A basketball tournament needs more than balls and a scoreboard. Plan supplies for the court, score table, referees, volunteers and the breaks between games. This list covers game equipment, food and drinks, serving supplies, prizes and the cables needed to keep phones, tablets and speakers running. Check what the sports hall already provides before shopping, especially tables, benches, chairs and power access.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Folding tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Benchesqty 6
Tableclothqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Basketballsqty 12
Conesqty 30
Marker discsqty 20
Team bibsqty 40
Whistlesqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 2
Basketball pumpqty 2
Ball needle setqty 2
Sports bagsqty 6
Medal holdersqty 3

Equipment

Laptop
Tabletqty 2
Printer
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Charging cablesqty 6
Power banksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Ice packsqty 24

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Buntingqty 8
Paper tapeqty 6
Markersqty 12
Name badgesqty 120
Table numbersqty 12

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4

Safety

First aid kit
Ice packsqty 10
Athletic tapeqty 8
Hand sanitizerqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Multigrain bread - 12 loaves
- White sandwich loaves - 8 loaves
- Wholegrain wraps - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Boiled ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Apple syrup - 2 jars
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Red onion - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Yogurt dressing - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Pretzels - 8 bags
- Rice cakes - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Bananas - 120 pieces
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Oranges - 80 pieces
- Yogurt - 60 cups
- Cola - 30 liters
- Coca-Cola Zero - 30 liters
- Orange soda - 20 liters
- Ice tea - 20 liters
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Rood - 48 bottles
- Sports drink - 72 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 4 kilograms
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Milk - 16 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Ice lollies - 120 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Plastic storage containers - 20 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Air freshener - 4 spray cans
- Diet bread - 2 loaves
- Gluten-free wraps - 12 pieces
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Vegan spread - 1 kilogram
- Nut-free granola bars - 30 pieces
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Herb cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle

Tips

Count one reusable cup per participant plus at least 10% extra; cups disappear quickly when teams move between the court and refreshment area.
Pack one basketball pump and a ball needle set in the sports bag, even if every ball is inflated the night before. A leaking ball can otherwise delay the next game.
Bring at least two whistles for the referees and keep a spare available at the score table. Test the microphone, portable speakers, extension cords and power strips before the first match.
Prepare sandwiches and drinks in separate serving areas, with enough plates, cutlery, serving platters and serving tongs for each break. Chill drinks before teams arrive rather than during the tournament.
Buy or collect prizes before tournament day and check the medal holders against the number of awards. Keep team bibs, cones, marker discs and scoreboards together so volunteers can set up without searching.

Frequently asked questions

What food and drinks do I need for a basketball tournament?: Plan roughly 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per person for each additional hour. For food, allow 1 to 2 sandwiches per participant, referee and volunteer, with extra portions for late arrivals.
How many basketballs are needed for a tournament?: Have at least 1 game ball plus 1 spare basketball for each court in use. Add a basketball pump and a ball needle set, and check all balls the evening before.
What should I bring for the score table?: Pack the scoreboards, laptop or tablet, printer, charging cables, power banks, extension cords and power strips. Test the setup at least 60 minutes before the first game so there is time to solve connection or power problems.
When should I buy prizes and tournament supplies?: Order prizes at least 2 to 3 weeks before the tournament and check the full shopping list 7 days before game day. Buy perishable food and chill drinks the day before, unless the venue has reliable cold storage.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.