What to buy for a basketball tournament

A basketball tournament needs more than basketballs and a scoreboard. You will need enough game equipment for every court, backup supplies for faults, and a clear setup for referees and table staff. Plan refreshments around the number of players, coaches and spectators, then add first-aid and cleaning supplies before shopping. This list helps you gather the items people often remember only when registration, setup or the first match has already started.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Basketballsqty 12
Spare basketballsqty 4
Ball pumpqty 2
Needle valvesqty 10
Whistlesqty 6
Referee Shirtsqty 6
Team bibsqty 40
Conesqty 30
Marker discsqty 20
Training laddersqty 2
Skipping ropesqty 8
Team wristbandsqty 80
Competition clockqty 2
Scoreboardsqty 2
Scoreboard remotesqty 2
Clipboardsqty 6
Pensqty 30
Competition formsqty 50
Notepadsqty 10
Medalsqty 30
Cupsqty 3
Basketball netsqty 4
First aid kit
Ice packsqty 12

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 80
Score tablesqty 2
Benchesqty 8
Waste binsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2
Coolersqty 6

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable lampsqty 6
Laptopsqty 2
Printer
Handheld microphone
Portable speaker
Power banksqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Pitchersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Ice packsqty 24
Food warmersqty 4

Decorations

Team table runnersqty 10
Route arrowsqty 12
Tournament banner
Team number cardsqty 10
Signage markersqty 12

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Glovesqty 20
Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Sports drink - 8 trays
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 5 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Coffee biscuits - 6 packs
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- White baguettes - 12 pieces
- Wholemeal baguettes - 8 pieces
- Bread rolls - 100 pieces
- Mini burgers - 100 pieces
- Veggie burgers - 30 pieces
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kilograms
- Mild matured cheese - 3 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Mandarins - 80 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Nut bars - 60 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Food storage containers - 30 pieces
- Diet-friendly snack bars - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan one game ball per court, plus at least one spare basketball for the tournament. Check the pressure the day before and pack a pump with several needle valves.
Give each referee a whistle and referee shirt, and prepare enough team bibs or wristbands to identify every team quickly. Put the identifying items at registration, not courtside.
Allow one clipboard, several pens and a separate set of competition forms for each active court or score table. Pack extra pens because scoring stops when the only pen disappears.
Set up one score table with chairs for each court, and provide a competition clock, scoreboard and remote wherever matches run simultaneously. Test every remote before teams arrive.
Prepare a first-aid kit and several ice packs at the venue entrance or score desk, not in a storage room. Buy drinks and snacks from the confirmed attendance numbers, including dietary requirements, and chill them before the first game.

Frequently asked questions

How many basketballs do I need for a tournament?: Plan for one properly inflated game ball per court and at least one spare for the whole tournament. For two courts, that means at least three basketballs, plus a pump and spare needle valves.
What do referees and scorekeepers need?: Each referee needs a whistle and referee shirt. Each score table needs a clipboard, pens, competition forms, a competition clock and a scoreboard with its remote; prepare one complete set per active court.
How much food and drink should I buy for a basketball tournament?: Base the order on confirmed players, coaches, officials and staff rather than the number of teams alone. As a starting point, allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one snack portion per person, then adjust for the event length and dietary requirements.
When should I buy and prepare tournament supplies?: Order prizes and non-perishable equipment at least 1–2 weeks ahead. Do the main shopping 1–2 days before the tournament, check the equipment and forms the day before, and chill drinks on the event morning.

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.