What you need for a dance competition

A dance competition needs more than a floor and a sound system. You’ll need reliable music playback, spare power and laptops, clear judging facilities, participant number straps, and practical supplies for changing and catering areas. This shopping list covers the equipment and consumables to prepare before the venue opens. Check quantities against your participant count, jury size, schedule, and whether catering is provided for a few hours or the full day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 150
Jury tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2
Changing room benchesqty 8

Sports equipment

Dance floor panels
Race bib strapsqty 120
Conesqty 12

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Laptop
Spare laptop
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 5
USB sticksqty 3
Phone chargersqty 4

Tableware

Water glassesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving tongsqty 8
Water jugsqty 6

Decorations

Balloonsqty 150
Buntingqty 12
Stage backdrop
Red carpet

Decorative fabric

Tableclothsqty 10

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 6
String lightsqty 4
Spare batteriesqty 24

Office

Jury formsqty 180
Programsqty 180
Pensqty 40
Clipboardsqty 12
Name stickersqty 180
A4 foldersqty 8
Printer paperqty 2
Markersqty 12
Tapeqty 6
Scissorsqty 4
Paper shredder
Directional signsqty 12
Information boardsqty 6
Cash register
Cash box
Payment terminal
Calculatorsqty 3
Notepadsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 6 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Coffee cream - 4 tubs
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 80 pieces
- Cheese slices - 4 kilogram
- Sliced ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 12 kilograms
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Mandarins - 8 kilograms
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Pretzels - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Vegan toppings - 2 kilogram
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Stir sticks - 400 pieces
- Toothpicks - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Large garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Disposable jury napkins - 100 pieces

Prizes

Cupsqty 12
Medalsqty 36
Certificatesqty 120
Gift vouchersqty 12
Prize bagsqty 12

Safety

Non-slip matsqty 12
Cable traysqty 20
Marking tapeqty 6
Flashlightsqty 4

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Vacuum cleanerqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Trash binsqty 8
Waste binsqty 4

Tips

Plan at least one table and chair for each jury member, plus a separate jury table setup for criteria sheets, laptops, and water. Add spare chairs for registration and volunteer stations.
Test the speakers, mixer, microphones, laptop, and music files at the venue at least 2 hours before the first competitors arrive. Bring a spare laptop, USB sticks, chargers, extension cords, and power strips rather than relying on one playback setup.
Prepare one race bib strap or number holder per participant, plus a small reserve of 5–10% for damage or last-minute registrations. Keep cones and floor panels ready so the competition area can be marked and checked before opening.
For a half-day event, allow at least 2 water glasses per person and 1 coffee cup per person if coffee is served. Use water jugs, thermos flasks, coolers, serving platters, tongs, plates, and cutlery so catering staff are not improvising during the schedule.
Set up changing room benches and coat racks before participants arrive, not during registration. Leave a clearly marked place for bags and coats, and check that the changing area can handle your largest arrival group at once.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a dance competition?: You need a suitable dance floor, speakers, mixer, microphones, a laptop for music playback, and a spare laptop. Also prepare extension cords, power strips, USB sticks, phone chargers, cones, and participant number straps.
How many chairs and tables are needed for a dance competition?: Provide at least one chair per jury member, plus chairs for registration, volunteers, and waiting participants. Plan one table for registration and one dedicated jury table, then add serving tables according to the catering setup.
How much catering equipment do I need for a dance competition?: Allow one plate, one cutlery set, and at least two water glasses per person for a half-day event. Add one coffee cup per coffee drinker, and use enough thermos flasks, water jugs, serving platters, and tongs to keep service running without washing up between rounds.
When should I prepare the music and technical equipment?: Gather the final music files and make a backup at least 24 hours before the competition. Test the complete music sequence, microphones, speakers, mixer, and backup laptop at the venue at least 2 hours before opening.

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