Dodgeball tournament checklist

A dodgeball tournament needs more than teams and a few balls. You need a booked sports hall, a workable match schedule, clear team assignments, referees and a registration process that does not delay the first game. This checklist covers the planning sequence, from registrations and dietary requirements to field setup, scorekeeping, catering and prizes. Use it to check what must be confirmed weeks ahead and what can wait until the event morning.

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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

Reserve the sports hall
Determine the tournament format
2 people
Draw up the match schedule
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
2 people
Assemble teams
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Confirm participants
Arrange referees
Record emergency contact
Order prizes and medals
Calculate catering quantities
2 people
Do the shopping
2 people
Check sports equipment
2 people
Print competition forms
Print participant list
Print team assignments
Create a music playlist
Communicate route and parking

Event

Open the sports hall
2 people
Check the floor and dressing rooms
2 people
Set up playing fields
4 people
Set up tables
3 people
Set up chairs
3 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Set up the catering buffet
3 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Test sound and music
2 people
Brief the referees
3 people
Brief volunteers
2 people
Carry out team registration
3 people
Give the opening briefing
2 people
Lead the warm-up
2 people
Supervise races
6 people
Keep track of match scores
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve snacks and sandwiches
3 people
Collect waste during the event
2 people
Announce finalists
Lead the final
3 people
Present prizes
2 people
See participants off
3 people

Aftercare

Gather sports equipment
4 people
Dismantle furniture
4 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Remove waste
2 people
Clean the sports floor
3 people
Clean changing rooms
2 people
Lock up the venue
2 people
Store leftover items
2 people
Return borrowed materials
2 people
Send results to participants

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 60

Sports equipment

Dodgeballsqty 12
Training bibsqty 60
Conesqty 24
Field marking tapeqty 4
Whistlesqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 4
Skipping ropesqty 8
Medalsqty 60
Cupsqty 3

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Laptop
Chargersqty 3

Catering

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Groceries

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Pliersqty 4
Coffee makerqty 2

Registration

Clipboardsqty 8
Ballpoint pensqty 20
Name stickersqty 80
Printer paperqty 100

Decorations

Team flagsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 6

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Floor squeegeeqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Safety

First aid kit
Ice packqty 8

Tips

Book the sports hall before sending invitations, then confirm the available playing area, changing rooms, tables and power access. On the day, allow at least 60 minutes before registration opens to check the floor and set up the fields.
Choose the tournament format before drawing up the schedule. Add realistic changeover time between matches, and print separate match schedules, team assignments and competition forms so referees are not sharing one copy.
Close registrations early enough to assemble balanced teams and replace cancellations. Send the confirmed participant list, team assignments, route and parking details at least 3 days before the tournament.
Assign referees and record an emergency contact for every participant before event day. Keep the participant list on clipboards at the registration desk, rather than relying on a phone or laptop with a low battery.
Calculate food and drinks from the confirmed headcount, including dietary requirements. Prepare coolers, reusable cups, serving items and coffee equipment before setup; catering is often delayed when the registration desk and playing fields take priority.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book a dodgeball tournament venue?: Try to book the sports hall at least 6 to 8 weeks before the tournament. Confirm the playing area, changing rooms, opening time, equipment access and available power when you reserve it.
When should dodgeball tournament registration close?: Close registration about 7 days before the event if possible. That gives you time to process cancellations, assemble teams, confirm dietary requirements and print the participant and team lists.
How much time do I need to set up a dodgeball tournament?: Allow at least 60 minutes for opening the hall, checking the floor and dressing rooms, marking fields, arranging tables and chairs, and setting up registration. Add another 15 to 30 minutes if the sports equipment is not stored courtside.
What equipment is needed for a dodgeball tournament?: Plan for dodgeballs, training bibs, cones, field marking tape, whistles, scoreboards and stopwatches. Also prepare printed competition forms, clipboards, a participant list and team assignments so matches can continue if a device or connection fails.

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