What you need for a basketball tournament

A basketball tournament needs more than basketballs and a court. You also need clearly separated registration and judges’ areas, enough scorekeeping equipment, refreshments, serving items and reliable power for laptops, tablets and printers. Use the quantities based on your number of teams, players and volunteers, then check everything before shopping. The easy-to-forget items are spare balls, chargers, extension cords, reusable cups and printed score sheets.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 80
Registration desk
Judges' tableqty 2

Sports equipment

Basketballsqty 12
Spare basketballsqty 4
Conesqty 20
Field barrier tapeqty 2
Whistlesqty 6
Referee cardsqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 2
Competition bibsqty 20
Ball netqty 2

Equipment

Laptopsqty 2
Tabletsqty 2
Printers
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Portable speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Mobile chargersqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Reusable platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee potsqty 3
Teapotsqty 2

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving bowlsqty 6
Tongs and serving spoonsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2

Decorations

Team name signsqty 16
Directional signsqty 8
Bib numbersqty 16
Name badgesqty 100
Medalsqty 24
Cupsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Hand broomsqty 3
Litter pickersqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8

Lighting

Battery lanternsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 packs
- Spa Red - 4 packs
- Isotonic sports drink - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Sandwiches - 120 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 6 loaves
- Sliced cheese - 3 kilogram
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Diet-friendly sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free snacks - 2 packages

Tips

Plan at least one game ball per active court, plus one spare basketball for each court. Check the ball net and inflation before the sports hall opens.
Prepare one competition bib per player who may need a team identifier, with a few extras for late registrations or damaged bibs. Keep cones and barrier tape together for marking the playing fields.
Set up separate supplies for registration and judging: tables, chairs, a laptop or tablet, printer access, name badges, scoreboards and printed score sheets. Bring at least one mobile charger for each device used throughout the day.
For refreshments, count two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for every additional hour. Use coolers for chilled drinks and thermos flasks for hot drinks so serving does not depend on the hall kitchen.
Bring one reusable cup, plate and cutlery set per expected participant and volunteer, plus around 10% extra. Pack serving platters, serving bowls, coffee pots and teapots separately so catering can be arranged quickly.

Frequently asked questions

How many basketballs do I need for a tournament?: Allow one game ball per active court and one spare ball per court. For two courts, pack at least four basketballs so a replacement is available without stopping play.
How much food and drink should I buy for a basketball tournament?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one more drink per person for each additional hour. Buy food according to the confirmed participant and volunteer count, adding about 10% for unexpected guests and late finishes.
What equipment is easy to forget for a basketball tournament?: Chargers, extension cords, power strips, spare basketballs, printed score sheets and referee cards are commonly missed. Check these items at least one day before the tournament, not when the hall opens.
How many reusable cups, plates and cutlery sets do I need?: Prepare one complete set per participant and volunteer, plus 10% extra. For 80 people, that means at least 88 cups, 88 plates and 88 cutlery sets.

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.