Bowling tournament shopping list

Use this shopping list to prepare the reception desk, team tables, buffet and prize table without last-minute runs to the store. Plan drinks and food around the number of registered players, not the number of lanes. You will also need practical items for scoring, team identification and serving. Check dietary requirements before ordering food, and collect prizes and printed materials at least one day before the tournament.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2

Equipment

Laptopsqty 2
Mobile phonesqty 2
Bluetooth speaker
Microphone

Sports equipment

Bowling ballsqty 12
Team bibsqty 12
Scoreboardsqty 12
Scorecardsqty 60
Stopwatchesqty 4
Pensqty 30

Decorations

Team table cardsqty 12
Festive garlandsqty 8
Balloonsqty 50
Prize tablecloth
Medalsqty 12
Winner's cupsqty 3

Cleaning

Dish brushesqty 3
Cleaning spongesqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 100 pieces
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Party nuts - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Mini pizzas - 120 pieces
- Mini spring rolls - 120 pieces
- Meatballs - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian Snacks - 60 pieces
- Vegan snacks - 40 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill the first supply before participants arrive and keep the rest in coolers.
For a tournament lasting two to three hours, provide one scorecard and one pen per team, plus at least 10% extra. Keep the spare cards and pens at the reception desk.
Buy or prepare food in portions that can be served quickly between games. Allow at least one clearly labelled option for every recorded dietary requirement, and keep serving utensils separate.
Prepare one team table card and one set of team bibs for every team, plus two spare cards and bibs. Number the tables before check-in so teams can find their places without queueing.
Bring prizes and cups in one labelled box and place them on the prize table before the first game. Pack the microphone, speaker, phone and laptop chargers the night before; missing chargers are easy to overlook.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a bowling tournament?: Budget two to three drinks per person during the first hour and one per person for every hour after that. Add around 10% extra if the tournament lasts more than three hours or participants will be outside the bowling area.
What should I buy for a bowling tournament buffet?: Choose food that can be served without cooking during the tournament, and provide plates, cups, cutlery, serving spoons, platters and tongs. Prepare at least one portion per participant, plus 10% extra, and label food for each dietary requirement.
How many scorecards and pens are needed for a bowling tournament?: Prepare one scorecard and one pen per team for each scoring round, plus at least 10% spare. Keep the extras at the reception desk so a lost pen or damaged card does not delay the next game.
When should I buy and prepare the bowling tournament supplies?: Buy non-perishable supplies and collect prizes at least one week before the tournament. Chill drinks, pack food, check equipment and lay out printed materials the day before; set up tables and the reception desk at least one hour before arrival.

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.