What you need for a basketball tournament

A basketball tournament needs more than balls and hoops. You will need equipment for each court, a reliable scoring and registration setup, power for clocks and laptops, and practical supplies for players and volunteers. Buy or collect the items early enough to test the pump, printer, microphone and game clocks before tournament day. This checklist helps you cover the details that are often left until the hall opens.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Registration tablesqty 3
Catering tablesqty 4
Score tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 24
Grandstand chairsqty 120
Tableclothsqty 7

Sports equipment

Basketballsqty 12
Spare basketballsqty 4
Conesqty 30
Training bibsqty 30
Whistlesqty 8
Match shirtsqty 40
Towelsqty 12
Athletic tapeqty 8
Pumpqty 2
Needle for ball pumpqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 2
Game clocksqty 2
Clipboardsqty 8
Basketball netsqty 4
First aid kit
Cold packsqty 8
Disposable glovesqty 12

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Microphone
Speakersqty 2
Charging cablesqty 6
Power banksqty 3

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 12
Coffee potsqty 3

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 4
Bottle openersqty 3

Decorations

Tournament bannersqty 4
Directional signsqty 8
Team table numbersqty 8
Table décorqty 8
Medalsqty 40
Winner's cupsqty 3
Certificatesqty 40

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Waste binsqty 8
Glovesqty 12

Lighting

LED lampsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 48 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Sports drink lemon - 24 bottles
- Sports drink orange - 24 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Paper coffee filters - 2 packs
- Mint tea bags - 1 box
- Rooibos tea bags - 1 box
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Wraps - 48 pieces
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onion - 1 kilo
- Avocados - 12 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Oranges - 60 pieces
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Granola bars - 80 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paper napkins - 12 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 5 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Diet biscuits - 4 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan spread - 2 kilos
- Nut-free granola bars - 30 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Stir sticks - 2 packs
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Herb cheese - 1 kilo
- Tuna salad - 2 kilos
- Egg salad - 2 kilo
- Chicken salad - 2 kilo
- Lunch bags - 100 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one game ball and one spare basketball for each active court, then add a pump and spare needle so a flat ball does not stop a match.
Prepare one score table and one game clock per court, plus clipboards, pens and printed match forms for the people recording results.
Set aside enough extension cords, power strips and charging cables for the laptop, printer, speakers and clocks. Test every connection in the sports hall at least one day before.
Keep athletic tape, towels, cones, training bibs and spare match shirts together in a clearly marked equipment area. These are easy to overlook when teams arrive at different times.
For refreshments, count reusable cups and plates by participant rather than by team. Add a separate supply for referees, volunteers and spectators, because those numbers are often missed.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a basketball tournament?: For each court, prepare basketballs, a spare ball, a pump, cones, bibs, whistles, a score table, a scoreboard and a game clock. Also bring athletic tape, towels, nets and clipboards for match administration.
How many basketballs do I need for a tournament?: Plan on at least two basketballs per active court: one for play and one spare. Bring a pump and spare needle as well, and check all balls before teams arrive.
What do I need at the basketball tournament registration desk?: Set up a registration table with chairs, a laptop, printer, extension cords, power strips, charging cables and clipboards. Have printed participant or match forms ready at least one day before the tournament.
How early should I prepare basketball tournament supplies?: Finalize the shopping list and order prizes at least one to two weeks before the tournament. Check sports equipment, power supplies and the printer at least one day before opening the hall.

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