What to buy for a basketball tournament

A basketball tournament needs more than balls and a scoreboard. This shopping list covers the equipment, furniture, serving supplies, printing gear, and backup items that keep games moving from venue opening to the final whistle. Plan separate supplies for players, referees, volunteers, and spectators. Check quantities against the number of teams and court schedules several days before the tournament, then do the final shopping no later than the day before.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Bar stoolsqty 6
Waste binsqty 8
Changing room benchesqty 8

Sports equipment

Basketballsqty 12
Spare basketballsqty 4
Whistlesqty 6
Referee vestsqty 6
Team bibsqty 40
Conesqty 24
Marker discsqty 30
Ball netsqty 4
Ball netsqty 4
Pump with needlesqty 2
Towelsqty 30
Gold medalsqty 12
Silver medalsqty 12
Bronze medalsqty 12
Fair play trophy
Trophy
Team shirtsqty 80

Equipment

Game clocksqty 2
Scoreboardsqty 2
Flat-screen monitorsqty 2
Laptop
Printer
Wi-Fi router
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging cablesqty 6
Power banksqty 3
Megaphone
Stopwatchesqty 4
Calculatorsqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
USB sticksqty 2

Tableware

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

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 6
Ice packsqty 20
Measuring cupsqty 4
Cutting knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Water jugsqty 8

Decorations

Team flagsqty 16
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Competition postersqty 12
Directional signsqty 10
Tableclothsqty 8
Prize display
Start and finish bannersqty 2
Sponsor bannersqty 8
Name badgesqty 100
Pensqty 30
Tapeqty 8
Scissorsqty 6
Ropeqty 4
Whiteboardqty 2
Whiteboard markersqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Cleaning glovesqty 10
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Hand broomsqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 4
Paper dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Water - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sports drink - 60 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Sandwiches - 120 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Kaiser rolls - 60 pieces
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Cheese - 4 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Yogurt - 40 cups
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Energy bars - 60 pieces
- Oat bars - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Muffins - 60 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Peanut sauce - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Vinegar - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Diet biscuits - 4 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 1 kilo
- Lactose-free milk - 2 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo

Tips

Allow at least one game ball plus one spare basketball per court, and test every ball with the pump before teams arrive.
Prepare one whistle and referee vest for each active referee, plus at least one spare whistle for the tournament desk.
Bring enough team bibs for the largest team on court, with several extras in case a bib is lost or becomes unusable.
For scorekeeping, pack the game clocks, scoreboards, laptop, printer, charging cables, extension cords, and power strips together. Test the full setup at least one day before the event.
Plan reusable drinking cups, towels, waste bins, and seating for players and officials separately from spectator furniture. Add a small buffer instead of buying the exact headcount.

Frequently asked questions

How many basketballs do I need for a tournament?: Plan for at least one game ball and one spare basketball per court. For one court, that means a minimum of two balls; for two courts, bring at least four, plus a pump with needles.
What equipment is needed for basketball tournament scorekeeping?: Bring one game clock and scoreboard per court, along with a laptop, printer, charging cables, extension cords, and power strips. Test everything at least 24 hours before the first game.
How many referee whistles and vests should I buy?: Provide one whistle and one referee vest for every referee working at the same time. Add at least one spare whistle and one spare vest so a lost or damaged item does not stop a game.
When should I buy supplies for a basketball tournament?: Check the complete shopping list at least one week before the tournament. Finish shopping and test equipment by the day before, leaving the event morning only for packing and venue setup.

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