What you need for a basketball tournament

Use this shopping list to prepare a basketball tournament without scrambling for missing supplies on game day. It covers the items that are easy to overlook, from spare ball valves and scorer’s table supplies to cups, coolers, power banks, and referee gear. Scale food and drinks to your registered players, volunteers, and spectators, then check equipment before the venue opens. Buy fresh food close to the tournament and pack backup options for long delays or extra games.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 80
Table scorer tableqty 2
Party tentsqty 2
Bollardsqty 12

Sports equipment

Basketballsqty 12
Training bibsqty 40
Conesqty 24
Line markingqty 2
Ball netsqty 2
Ball bagsqty 2
Ball pumpsqty 3
Spare valvesqty 20
Referee whistlesqty 6
Whistle cordsqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 2
Shot clocksqty 2
Competition bibsqty 2
Towelsqty 12

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable lampsqty 4
Power banksqty 3

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Reusable platesqty 100
Reusable cutleryqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Coffee potsqty 3
Teapotsqty 2

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Tableclothsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 2
Food storage containersqty 12

Office

Clipboardsqty 8
Ballpoint pensqty 30
Markersqty 12
Paper tapeqty 6
Permanent markersqty 12
Competition foldersqty 8
Prize certificatesqty 12

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Staff vestsqty 12

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Welcome sign

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broomsqty 3
Dustpansqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning carts

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
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Hot chocolate - 2 packs
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Burger buns - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Chicken burgers - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Hamburger sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Crispy fried onions - 2 bags
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Cheese slices - 3 kilos
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 10 kilo
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Mandarins - 6 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 3 packs
- Vegan cookies - 3 packs
- Herb mix - 4 sachets
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Organic waste bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Bandages - 3 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 3 boxes
- Elastic bandages - 6 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Duct tape - 4 rolls
- AA batteries - 2 packs
- AAA batteries - 2 packs

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Add extra water for players, referees, and table staff rather than relying only on soft drinks.
Count one reusable cup, plate, and set of cutlery per expected guest, then add at least 10% extra. Cups disappear quickly when players move between courts or volunteers refill coolers.
Pack one spare valve and a working pump for every active court, plus at least two extra basketballs. Test every ball and inflate them before teams arrive, not during warm-up.
Prepare a complete scorer’s table kit for each court: scoreboard, shot clock if used, stopwatch, printed competition forms, pens, and power supplies. Keep extension cords, power strips, rechargeable lamps, and power banks together in one labelled box.
Buy prizes, snacks, and fresh produce at least one day ahead; purchase ice and other chilled items on the morning of the tournament. Fill coolers before the first match and reserve separate drinking water for officials and volunteers.

Frequently asked questions

How many basketballs do I need for a tournament?: Plan at least two game-ready basketballs per active court, plus one or two spares for the whole tournament. For two courts, that means four active balls and two backup balls is a practical minimum.
How much food and drink should I buy for a basketball tournament?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour and one per person for every following hour. For snacks, prepare two portions per person for a short tournament, or three to four portions for an all-day event, including volunteers and referees.
What should I bring for the scorer’s table?: Bring one scoreboard, stopwatch, and set of competition forms per court, plus pens and any shot clocks required by your rules. Pack the equipment at least one day before and test power cables and rechargeable devices the evening before.
When should I buy supplies for a basketball tournament?: Buy non-perishable food, prizes, tableware, and equipment one to three days before the event. Purchase fresh produce and ice on the day itself, ideally two to three hours before the first game, and fill the coolers before teams arrive.

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