What you need for a basketball tournament

A basketball tournament needs more than balls and a court. You will need supplies for scoring and scheduling, equipment for referees and volunteers, refreshments, team identification, and prizes. Plan drinks and reusable cups for players, officials, and helpers, then check printing, power, and first-aid arrangements before the hall opens. Use the prepared list below to organize shopping and identify anything the sports hall already provides.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 80
Grandstand benchesqty 12
Changing room benchesqty 8
Clothes racksqty 4

Sports equipment

Basketballsqty 12
Spare basketballsqty 4
Conesqty 30
Vestsqty 40
Whistlesqty 8
Ball netqty 2
Ball equipment cartqty 2
Pumpqty 2
Ball needlesqty 10
Competition bibsqty 16
Time warning bellsqty 4
Medalsqty 24
Cupsqty 4

Equipment

Scoreboardsqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 8
Laptopsqty 2
Tabletsqty 4
Printer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Microphone
Speakersqty 2
Music player

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving traysqty 10

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 8
Pliersqty 8
Small bowlsqty 20
Storage boxesqty 12

Decorations

Team table runnersqty 8
Buntingqty 8
Route signsqty 12
Team name badgesqty 16
Prize tablecloth

Lighting

Battery lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Cleaning glovesqty 10
Toilet brushesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea assortment - 200 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Plant-based milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Kaiser rolls - 80 pieces
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Vegetarian slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Iceberg lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Apples - 10 kilograms
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Mandarins - 6 kilograms
- Yogurt - 5 kilograms
- Muesli - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snack mix - 8 bags
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 2 kilogram
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Sambal - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Small trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Sanitary cleaner - 2 bottles
- Laundry detergent - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Cold compresses - 12 pieces
- Sports tape - 8 rolls
- Paper cups for water - 300 pieces

Tips

Plan around 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Include water as well as other drinks, especially when teams play several matches.
Buy or bring at least 1 spare basketball for every court in use. Check ball pressure before the tournament and pack a pump and several spare ball needles rather than discovering a flat ball during warm-up.
Prepare one printed copy of the match schedule, competition rules, volunteer rota, and competition forms for each relevant desk or official. Print them at least 1 day before the tournament and bring a digital backup on a laptop or tablet.
Count reusable cups, coffee cups, plates, and cutlery for every participant, official, volunteer, and guest, then add a 10% buffer. Cups are easy to underestimate when teams arrive in waves between matches.
Keep prizes, medals, badges, bibs, and other small items in separate labelled boxes. Pack them at least 1 day before the event so missing items can still be replaced before you collect the sports hall keys.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a basketball tournament?: Plan for drinks and serving supplies, prizes, printed schedules and forms, team badges or bibs, and any sports equipment the hall does not provide. The exact quantities depend on the number of teams, courts, officials, volunteers, and tournament hours.
How many drinks do I need for a basketball tournament?: Allow 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour and about 1 additional drink per person for each following hour. Add roughly 10% extra so late arrivals, referees, and volunteers are covered.
How many basketballs are needed for a tournament?: Use at least 1 game ball per court and keep 1 spare basketball per court available. Bring a pump and several ball needles, and check the pressure before teams arrive.
When should I prepare the basketball tournament shopping?: Buy non-perishable supplies, prizes, printing materials, and identification items at least 3 to 7 days beforehand. Chill drinks and pack the final equipment boxes 1 day before the tournament, then check everything again when collecting the hall keys.

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