What you need for a basketball tournament

A basketball tournament needs more than balls and a scoreboard. Plan supplies for players, referees, table staff and spectators, including drinks, snacks, first aid materials and reliable power for clocks or sound equipment. Check what the sports hall already provides before buying anything, especially nets, tables, chairs and cleaning equipment. Use this list alongside your match schedule so you can calculate quantities for the number of teams and game hours.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 6
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Basketballsqty 12
Training bibsqty 24
Basketball netsqty 4
Conesqty 24
Sports whistlesqty 6
Ball pumpqty 2
Needle valvesqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 2
Game clocksqty 2
Broom for sports floorqty 2
First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Athletic tapeqty 6
Towelsqty 12
Water bottlesqty 40

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Sound system
Microphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Charging cablesqty 6
Power banksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Storage binsqty 12

Decorations

Team table labelsqty 12
Welcome sign
Competition postersqty 8
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon pumpqty 2
Roll-up table signsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 crates
- Spa Rood - 2 crates
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Lemon slices - 4 nets
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Pistolets - 40 pieces
- Cheese - 4 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Jam - 4 jars
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Mandarins - 6 kilos
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Protein bars - 48 pieces
- Rice cakes - 8 packs
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Disinfectant gel - 6 bottles
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Frozen ice - 20 kilos
- Disposable food gloves - 4 boxes
- Spice mix - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Allergen stickers - 2 sheets

Tips

Plan at least 1 litre of water per player for a half-day tournament, plus extra bottles for referees and table staff. Put water bottles where teams can refill them between games.
For a four-hour tournament, allow roughly 2 to 3 snack portions per participant and prepare fruit in advance. Plates, reusable cups and coffee cups are easy to forget when the food itself is already ordered.
Check the basketballs, nets, cones and training bibs at least 3 days before the tournament. Test every game clock and scoreboard, and keep a ball pump with needle valves courtside.
Pack one first aid kit per playing area, with ice packs and athletic tape immediately accessible. Confirm the first aid contact no later than 1 week before the event.
Charge the laptop, sound system and microphone the evening before, then bring extension cords, power strips, charging cables and at least 2 power banks. Print competition forms and team registration sheets before arriving at the hall.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a basketball tournament?: Allow about 1 litre per player for a half-day tournament, then add water for referees, table staff and volunteers. For 40 players, start with at least 40 litres and increase the amount if the hall is hot.
How many snacks should I buy for a basketball tournament?: Buy 2 to 3 snack portions per participant for a four-hour tournament, including fruit and other easy-to-serve options. Add 10% extra so late arrivals and staff are covered.
What basketball equipment should I check before tournament day?: Check the basketballs, nets, cones, training bibs, whistles, ball pump and needle valves at least 3 days beforehand. Test the scoreboards and game clocks during the same check, not when the first teams arrive.
When should I prepare the first aid supplies?: Pack the first aid kits, ice packs and athletic tape at least 1 day before the tournament. Confirm the first aid contact and the location of the kits no later than 1 week in advance.

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.