Dodgeball Tournament Checklist

A dodgeball tournament needs more than balls and a bracket. You’ll need a clear registration process, balanced teams, timed matches, referees, volunteers, safety checks and a reliable way to keep scores moving. This checklist puts the work in a practical order, from opening registration to preparing the venue and equipment. Use it to avoid common last-minute problems such as missing consent forms, unclear team assignments, flat balls or too few people on court duty.

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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

Send invitations
2 people
Open the registration form
Process registrations
2 people
Keep participant lists
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Create team assignments
2 people
Draw up the match schedule
2 people
Assign referees
Schedule volunteers
2 people
Confirm reservations
Send participant information
Collect consent forms
2 people
Order prizes and medals
Check the shopping list
2 people
Print competition forms
Print team cards
Print route signs
Check sports equipment
2 people
Check first aid supplies
Sort prizes
Do the shopping
3 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Prepare snacks
3 people
Prepare materials
2 people
Check sports flooring
2 people
Set up playing fields
4 people
Set up goals and lines
4 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up the reception desk
2 people
Set up the catering buffet
3 people
Test sound equipment
2 people
Hang up signage
2 people
Brief the referees
2 people
Brief volunteers
2 people

Event

Receive participants
4 people
Register attendance
2 people
Hand out team cards
2 people
Explain the tournament
2 people
Lead the warm-up
3 people
Supervise the first matches
6 people
Keep track of match scores
2 people
Serve drinks
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve snacks
3 people
Lead the rest break
3 people
Supervise the afternoon matches
6 people
Replenish lunch buffet
2 people
Empty trash bins
2 people
Announce finalists
Assist with the finals
6 people
Inform the audience
Prepare awards ceremony
2 people
Handle prize ceremony
3 people
See participants off
3 people
Archive competition results

Aftercare

Gather sports equipment
4 people
Dismantle the playing fields
4 people
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
Clean up catering
3 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Sort waste
2 people
Clean the venue
4 people
Pack away the sound equipment
2 people
Remove decorations
2 people
Collect lost and found items
Return materials
2 people
Return borrowed items
2 people
Store leftover catering
2 people
Send a thank-you gift to participants

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 80
Buffet tablesqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 4
Tablecloth coversqty 10
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Dodgeballsqty 18
Spare ballsqty 4
Conesqty 40
Marker discsqty 40
Ribbons for teamsqty 80
Whistlesqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 6
Clipboardsqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 8
Ball pumpqty 2
Ball needlesqty 6
Spare whistlesqty 4
Team bibsqty 80
Athletic tapeqty 6
Matsqty 8
Towelsqty 20
Water cratesqty 8

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable batteriesqty 12
Battery chargersqty 4
Laptop
Printer
Presentation screen

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 60
Tea glassesqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving tongsqty 8
Small bowlsqty 16
Pitchersqty 12

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 16
Storage binsqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 3
Cling filmqty 3

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Team number cardsqty 24
Stage ribbonsqty 3
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Tapeqty 8
Ropeqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Litter pickersqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Towel rollsqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Disposable glovesqty 2
Safety vestsqty 10
Non-slip matsqty 8

Paper goods

Competition formsqty 120
Participant listsqty 20
Team cardsqty 30
Score padsqty 12
Pensqty 40
Pencilsqty 20
Permanent markersqty 12
Name stickersqty 150
Sticky notesqty 12
Prize certificatesqty 30

Sports prizes

Medalsqty 30
Cupsqty 3
Fair play award
Prize table

Transport

Roll containersqty 4
Hand trucksqty 2
Storage cratesqty 20
Equipment cartsqty 4

Tips

Close registration early enough to build teams and a match schedule. Allow at least 3–5 days to process entries, collect dietary requirements and chase missing consent forms before sending participant information.
Create the match schedule only after registrations are processed. Give each match a fixed start time, assign a referee and allow 5–10 minutes between rounds for substitutions, scorekeeping and resetting the court.
Check the playing area the day before, including sports flooring, mats, cones and marker discs. Keep spare dodgeballs, a pump, ball needles, towels and athletic tape together so small equipment problems do not stop a match.
Schedule volunteers in shifts rather than relying on one group all day. Cover registration, refereeing, scoreboards, refreshments and first aid, with at least one named person responsible for each area during every time block.
Prepare the event paperwork and signage before tournament day. Print competition forms, team cards and route signs, then charge microphones, speakers, stopwatches and other battery-powered equipment the night before.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a dodgeball tournament?: Start planning at least 4–6 weeks before the tournament. Open registration early, then use the final 3–5 days to confirm teams, consent forms, dietary requirements, volunteers and the match schedule.
How many dodgeballs do I need for a tournament?: Plan for the number required on court plus at least 2 spare balls per court. Bring a ball pump and ball needles as well, because a flat or damaged ball can otherwise delay a round.
How long should a dodgeball tournament take?: Allow roughly 2–3 hours for a small tournament, including registration, matches, breaks and prizes. Add 5–10 minutes between matches and extra time if teams need to move between courts.
When should I assign teams and referees?: Assign teams once registration closes and participant details are checked, usually 3–5 days before the event. Confirm referees and volunteers at the same time, then send the final team and arrival information before tournament day.

Start this plan in Lizzt

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