What to Buy for a Dance Competition

A dance competition needs more than a clear schedule and a good playlist. You need a safe, even dance floor, reliable sound equipment, visible start numbers, judging tables and enough serving equipment for breaks. This shopping list covers the physical supplies for the hall, backstage area, judging desk and refreshments. Plan quantities from your participant count, then add spares for cables, cups and printed materials so one missing item does not delay the first round.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 180
Jury tablesqty 2
Clothes racksqty 4
Party tentsqty 2

Sports equipment

Dance floor panelsqty 24
Floor tapeqty 6
Heating matsqty 8
Start number vestsqty 40
Stopwatchesqty 3
Conesqty 12
Cupsqty 6
Medalsqty 30
Certificatesqty 50
Start number signsqty 40
Scoreboard
Scorecardsqty 150
Jury formsqty 100
Pensqty 40

Equipment

Sound system
Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 3
Mixer
Laptop
USB sticksqty 3
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 6

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 6
Light standsqty 2
Cable matsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 220
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 180
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Coffee potsqty 4
Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 8
Bread basketsqty 6
Bottle openersqty 4

Decorations

Balloon archesqty 2
Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 10
Stage drapesqty 4
Directional signsqty 12
Photo backdrop
Notice boardqty 2
Table numbersqty 10

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning cartsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 3
Glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Rood - 40 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Coffee - 5 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Mini ice pops - 100 pieces
- Mini waffles - 8 packs
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted pretzels - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Mini cookies - 8 packs
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Mandarins - 6 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 10 tubs
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Vegan spread - 2 kilos
- Whole wheat bread - 20 loaves
- White Bread - 12 loaves
- Mini rolls - 180 pieces
- Gluten-free bread - 4 loaves
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Jam - 4 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 60 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 250 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 boxes
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Trash bags - 5 rolls
- Large trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Floor cleaner - 3 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Adhesive tape - 8 rolls
- Double-sided tape - 4 rolls
- Marker pens - 3 sets

Tips

Allow at least one table and two chairs for the judges, with enough space for score sheets, stopwatches and water. Set this up before participants arrive so judging can start immediately.
Prepare one start-number vest for every competing dancer or team, plus a few spare numbers. Keep the numbers in start-order groups; searching for a missing vest during check-in creates avoidable queues.
Test the sound system, microphones, laptop and USB sticks together at least 24 hours before the competition. Bring two extension cords and power strips for the music and judging areas, and cover cables with cable mats.
Check the floor panels before opening the hall and bring enough floor tape to mark edges and secure joins. If the venue is cold or the floor needs protection, arrange heating mats before the competition day rather than improvising.
For refreshments, provide one reusable cup per person plus 10% spare cups. For a four-hour event, plan roughly 1.5 litres of water per person and enough coffee cups, plates and cutlery for the longest break.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a dance competition?: You need a suitable dance floor, sound system, speakers, microphones, mixer, laptop, USB sticks and extension cords. Add judging tables, chairs, stopwatches, start-number vests and lighting, then check every item at least 24 hours before the event.
How many reusable cups do I need for a dance competition?: Plan one cup per attendee and add 10% spare cups. For 100 people, that means 110 reusable cups; provide separate coffee cups if hot drinks are served.
How much water should I buy for a dance competition?: Allow about 1.5 litres of water per person for a four-hour competition, including participants, judges and volunteers. For 100 people, prepare around 150 litres and keep extra water near the judging table and changing area.
What should I prepare for the judging table?: Provide at least one table and two chairs per judging panel, with score sheets, stopwatches, pens and water. Set up the tables 60 minutes before doors open and leave clear space for the run sheet and scoring materials.

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