Basketball tournament shopping list

A basketball tournament needs more than basketballs and a court. You will need equipment for games, registration, scoring, team organisation, communication, and breaks between matches. Plan backup items for anything that can stop play, especially ball pumps, spare valves, whistles, extension cords, and power banks. Check quantities against your number of teams, courts, referees, and match rounds before shopping, then chill groceries and pack equipment in labelled groups.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 80
Reception desk
Table Signsqty 3
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Basketballsqty 12
Ball netsqty 3
Conesqty 24
Marker discsqty 30
Training bibsqty 40
Whistlesqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 3
Team bracketsqty 8
Game clocksqty 3
Ball pumpsqty 2
Spare valvesqty 12
Measuring tapesqty 2
Athletic tapeqty 6

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Mobile phonesqty 3
Tabletsqty 3
Laptop
Printer
Camera

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 120
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 80
Water jugsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 2
Bottle openersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 2

Decorations

Team flagsqty 8
Party flagsqty 6
Balloonsqty 100
Bib numbersqty 8
Stage ribbon

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broom setsqty 3
Litter pickersqty 3
Mop setsqty 2
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Disinfectant gelqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 24

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 - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Currant buns - 40 pieces
- Cheese slices - 4 packs
- Turkey breast - 4 packs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Jam - 3 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Butter - 3 tubs
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salsa sauce - 8 jars
- Salty crackers - 8 packs
- Rice cakes - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Oranges - 40 pieces
- Mini carrots - 5 kg
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Cucumber - 4 kilograms
- Yogurt dressing - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Frozen pizzas - 20 pieces
- Vegetarian pizzas - 10 pieces
- Vegan pizzas - 6 pieces
- Cheese snacks - 6 packs
- Vegetarian snacks - 6 packs
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Teaspoons - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 80 pieces
- Chewing gum - 20 packs
- Diet biscuits - 4 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Trash bags for plastic - 20 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls

Tips

Bring at least one game ball per court plus one spare, and pack a ball pump with spare valves. A flat ball or missing valve should not delay the next match.
Prepare one scoring setup for every active court: a scoreboard, game clock, whistle, match forms, and pens. Add one spare whistle and extra printed forms for late changes.
Set aside one registration kit with the reception desk, table signs, team assignments, a tablet or laptop, and a phone charger. Print team brackets and match schedules before the event rather than relying only on a live screen.
For outdoor courts, pack party tents, folding tables, chairs, cones, marker discs, and training bibs together. Check the forecast the day before and protect paper forms, prizes, and electronics from rain.
Group technical supplies in one labelled box: portable speakers, wireless microphones, mixer, extension cords, power strips, and power banks. Test the microphone and speaker connection before teams arrive, and charge every device overnight.

Frequently asked questions

How many basketballs do I need for a tournament?: Plan one game ball per active court and keep at least one spare for the whole tournament. For two courts, that means three usable basketballs, plus a pump and spare valves.
What equipment is needed at the scorer’s table?: Each active court needs a scoreboard, game clock, whistle, match forms, pens, and the current team bracket or schedule. Pack at least 10% extra printed forms, with a minimum of five spare copies.
When should I buy and chill food and drinks for a basketball tournament?: Buy non-perishable supplies 3 to 7 days before the tournament. Buy chilled groceries no later than the day before, then chill them several hours before teams arrive.
How early should I prepare the tournament equipment?: Print schedules, team assignments, match forms, and signs at least 24 hours in advance. Charge tablets, phones, microphones, speakers, and power banks overnight, then check the full equipment setup 60 minutes before the first game.

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