Curling tournament checklist and planning guide

A curling tournament needs more than a booked rink and a list of teams. You need a workable format, a published match schedule, enough officials and volunteers, and clear instructions for team captains. This checklist takes you from choosing the date through registration, team assignments and match-day preparation. It also covers details that are easy to leave too late, such as dietary requirements, emergency contacts, printed score sheets, chilled catering and checking every piece of rink equipment.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Record date and time
Reserve curling rink
Determine the tournament format
2 people
Draw up the match schedule
2 people
Set participation fee
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Open the registration form
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Recruit volunteers
2 people
Book referees
Record emergency contact
Calculate catering quantities
2 people
Order prizes and cups
Send participant information
Finalise team assignments
2 people
Publish the match schedule
Check location instructions
2 people
Check stock
2 people
Do the shopping
2 people
Collect prizes and trophies
Print participant list
Print match forms
Chill the groceries
2 people
Inform team captains
Give volunteer briefing
3 people
Inspect the field and changing rooms
2 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Set up the catering table
3 people
Set out coffee and tea
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Check curling equipment
3 people
Place scoreboards
2 people
Check track markings
2 people
Place safety materials
2 people
Set out prizes

Event

Staff the registration desk
2 people
Register participants
2 people
Distribute rental equipment
2 people
Give the opening briefing
2 people
Lead the warm-up
2 people
Guide the preliminary round
4 people
Process scores
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Refill snacks
2 people
Empty trash bins
2 people
Publish interim results
Guide the quarterfinals
4 people
Reset match equipment
3 people
Guide the semifinals
4 people
Set up the dinner buffet
3 people
Serve dinner buffet
4 people
Clear away dishes
2 people
Lead the final
4 people
Check final scores
2 people
Hold the awards ceremony
3 people
Thank participants
Collect rental equipment
3 people

Aftercare

Sort the supplies
3 people
Clear away refrigerated items
2 people
Hand over the venue empty
4 people
Dismantle tables and chairs
4 people
Collect waste
3 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Clean rooms
4 people
Archive scores and results
Email results to participants
Check leftovers
2 people
Return borrowed equipment
2 people
Take waste to the collection point
2 people
Process deposits and keys

What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Curling stonesqty 16
Curling broomsqty 16
Sliding solesqty 16
Grippersqty 16
Curling shoesqty 16
Starting blocksqty 8
Course markingsqty 4
Conesqty 12
Stopwatchesqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 4
Scoreboard numbersqty 40
Competition formsqty 40
Pensqty 20
Training bibsqty 16
Non-slip matsqty 8

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Registration desk
Clothes racksqty 2

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 4
Mobile phoneqty 2
Megaphone

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Pouring jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 2
Food storage containersqty 10

Decorations

Tournament banner
Team table labelsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Trophiesqty 3
Medalsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Litter pickersqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop headsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 2

Lighting

LED table lampsqty 6

Safety

First aid kit
Ice safety signsqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the tournament format before opening registration. Decide how many teams you can fit into the available ice time, then build the match schedule around realistic game lengths and changeovers.
Send participant information before the final week. Include arrival instructions, registration details, clothing or footwear guidance, the format, and when captains will receive their final team assignments.
Assign volunteers to specific jobs rather than asking for general help. At minimum, cover registration, scorekeeping, equipment support, refreshments and directing teams between matches.
Check equipment and power needs before match day. Count stones, brooms, sliding soles, grippers, scoreboards, forms and pens, and test the laptop, printer, extension cords and power strips before participants arrive.
Finish food and prize logistics early enough to recover from shortages. Calculate catering quantities from the confirmed registration list, collect dietary requirements, chill groceries in advance, and collect prizes and trophies before setup begins.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book a curling rink for a tournament?: Book the rink as soon as you have a target date, preferably several months ahead. You need enough lead time to confirm the available ice time, tournament format, match schedule and participant capacity before opening registration.
How do I make a curling tournament match schedule?: Start with the number of teams, sheets and available hours, then allow time for warm-up, score recording and changeovers. Finalise team assignments and publish the schedule before the event, ideally at least 3 to 7 days in advance.
What equipment do I need for a curling tournament?: Plan for curling stones, brooms, sliding soles or curling shoes, grippers, starting blocks, course markings, cones, stopwatches and scoreboards. Also prepare competition forms, pens, training bibs and non-slip mats, then check quantities before setup.
When should I collect dietary requirements for a curling tournament?: Ask for dietary requirements during registration rather than after the teams are formed. Set a clear deadline at least 7 days before the tournament so catering quantities and suitable food can be confirmed.

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.