What to Buy for a Basketball Tournament

A basketball tournament needs more than match balls and a court. Plan supplies for scoring, referees, team identification, registration, refreshments and the people working at the competition tables. Check what the sports hall already provides before you shop, especially tables, chairs, a projector, speakers and power access. Use the final participant count to set quantities for drinks, fruit, snacks and disposable or reusable serving items.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Match ballsqty 6
Spare ballsqty 3
Training bibsqty 24
Ball netqty 2
Conesqty 20
Marking tapeqty 2
Whistlesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 2
Competition tablesqty 2
Competition formsqty 40
Pensqty 20

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 80
Stoolsqty 12
Clothes racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Charging stationsqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving utensilsqty 8
Bottle openersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2

Decorations

Tournament bannersqty 4
Directional signsqty 10
Team cardsqty 16
Trophiesqty 3
Medalsqty 24
Tableclothsqty 8

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Disinfectant sprayqty 4
Paper dispensersqty 3

Lighting

LED lampsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Safety vestsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink - 48 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Coffee cups - 150 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Sandwiches - 140 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Cheese - 3 kilograms
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 4 tubs
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Nut mix - 4 bags
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 6 packages
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles

Tips

Prepare at least one match ball for every active court, plus spare balls that are ready to use if one is lost or damaged. Add a ball net so balls can be moved between the storage area and the court quickly.
Allow one whistle and one stopwatch for each referee working at the same time, with at least one spare whistle and stopwatch for the tournament desk. Test every stopwatch before the first game starts.
Set up one competition table for each court or scoring station, with a scoreboard, competition forms and several pens at each table. Bring extra pens because scorekeeping supplies are easy to misplace during a full day.
Plan enough training bibs for the largest team grouping that may need them, and bring cones and marking tape for warm-up areas or temporary court markings. Check the floor and baskets before opening the hall rather than waiting for the first teams to arrive.
For refreshments, calculate drinks and snacks from the confirmed participant list, then add a 10% buffer. Chill drinks before doors open and place reusable cups, plates, cutlery and serving platters at the refreshment table; do not assume teams will bring their own.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a basketball tournament?: At minimum, plan match balls, spare balls, training bibs, a ball net, cones, marking tape, whistles, stopwatches and scoreboards. You also need competition forms, pens and a competition table for each scoring station. Confirm the sports hall’s equipment at least 7 days before the tournament.
How many basketballs do I need for a tournament?: Allow one match ball per active court and keep at least 2 spare balls available for the event. If several games run at once, count the active courts first, then add the spares rather than relying on a single shared ball supply.
How much food and drink should I buy for a basketball tournament?: Use the confirmed participant count and add 10% for late additions, volunteers and unexpected demand. As a starting point, plan 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add fruit and snacks for the expected duration. Chill drinks and portion snacks on the tournament day before teams arrive.
What should I prepare for the tournament desk?: Set aside competition forms, participant lists, pens, scoreboards and a laptop or printer if schedules or forms must be updated on site. Prepare the desk at least 30 minutes before the first game, with charging access, extension cords and power strips checked in advance.

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