What to buy for a bingo night

A bingo night needs more than bingo cards and prizes. You also need a clear setup for the bingo tables, reliable audio equipment, drinks, serving items and a way to display prizes. Buy or gather the game materials early, then check quantities against your guest list before shopping. Keep reserve prizes, spare batteries and extra bingo cards available so one missing or damaged item does not interrupt a round.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Reception desk
Prize table
Tableclothsqty 8

Game materials

Bingo cageqty 2
Bingo ballsqty 2
Bingo cardsqty 300
Bingo cardsqty 60
Number cardsqty 100
Prizesqty 30
Reserve prizesqty 5

Equipment

Portable speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2
Spare batteries

Tableware

Glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving traysqty 8
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 3

Decorations

Bingo letters
Balloonsqty 50
Buntingqty 6
Table décorqty 8
Arrows and signsqty 12

Organization

Registration formsqty 80
Pensqty 30
Name stickersqty 80
Cash register or cash box
Coin tray
Notepadsqty 4
Markersqty 6

Cleaning

Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop and bucketqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 4
Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 3 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Salted sticks - 3 bags
- Mini pretzels - 3 bags
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Speculaas - 3 packs
- Cupcakes - 60 pieces
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Cucumber - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs
- Toilet paper - 3 packs
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan on one bingo card per player for each round, plus at least 10% extra cards for last-minute registrations, lost cards or printing errors. Sort them before guests arrive so volunteers are not searching during the game.
Prepare one prize for every planned winning combination or round, then add at least two reserve prizes. Wrap them in advance and place the main prizes on a separate prize table so distribution stays quick.
For drinks, allow two to three servings per person during the first hour, then about one serving per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks before setup and keep extra ice available rather than waiting until the first break.
Use one glass or cup per guest, plus roughly 10% extra, and match plates and cutlery to the food you are serving. Count coffee cups separately if coffee is available, because drink glasses are not a practical substitute.
Test the microphone, portable speaker and bingo equipment at least one day before the event. Pack spare batteries, extension cords and power strips with the equipment; these are easy to overlook and difficult to replace once guests have arrived.

Frequently asked questions

How many bingo cards do I need per person?: Plan one card per player for each round if cards are not reused. Add at least 10% extra, so a group of 50 players needs 55 cards per round.
How many prizes should I buy for bingo night?: Buy one prize for each planned winning combination or round, then add at least two reserve prizes. For 10 rounds, prepare 12 prizes so a tie or damaged prize does not cause a delay.
How many drinks do I need for a bingo night?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and about one drink per person for every hour after that. For 40 guests over three hours, plan roughly 160 to 200 servings, including non-alcoholic options.
When should I buy and prepare the bingo supplies?: Order bingo equipment and prizes at least one week before the event. Check the shopping list and do the final food and drink shopping one to two days beforehand, then chill drinks and test equipment on the day.

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