What you need for a dodgeball tournament
A dodgeball tournament needs more than enough balls for each match. You also need a reliable way to mark teams, track scores, manage substitutions and keep players hydrated between games. This shopping list covers the sports equipment, referee supplies, furniture, refreshments and practical event gear to have ready before participants arrive. Check quantities against your number of teams, courts and scheduled matches, then buy or borrow backup items at least a few days before the tournament.
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
- Whole wheat bread rolls - 120 pieces
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Wholemeal sandwich bread - 8 loaves
- White sandwich loaves - 8 loaves
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Margarine - 2 kilograms
- Young cheese - 5 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 4 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian slices - 3 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Fruit jam - 4 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 3 packs
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Bell peppers - 24 pieces
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 120 pieces
- Bananas - 100 pieces
- Mandarins - 100 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salted popcorn - 8 bags
- Rice cakes - 8 packs
- Mini pretzels - 6 bags
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Yogurt dressing - 3 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 10 bottles
- Ice tea - 10 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Sports drink - 80 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Coffee beans - 3 kilograms
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 3 kilogram
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Coffee biscuits - 6 packs
- Ice lollies - 120 pieces
- Cupcakes - 120 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Vegan toppings - 2 kilogram
- Vegan cupcakes - 12 pieces
- Allergen labels - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Decaf tea bags - 1 box
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
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
- Plan for at least one dodgeball per active court, plus spare balls for punctures, damage or balls that roll out of play. Check their condition and inflate them before tournament day.
- Give each team a clearly different set of bibs or ribbons, and keep a few spare identifiers available. This prevents delays when players forget or lose their team marking.
- Prepare one clipboard, whistle and stopwatch for each active referee or court official, with spare whistles and pens kept at the registration or control table.
- Set up water crates where players can reach them between matches, and provide more drinks than the minimum schedule suggests. Chill drinks several hours before the first game rather than just before doors open.
- Do not leave practical equipment until the last evening: test the ball pump, ball needles, portable speakers, microphones, extension cords and rechargeable batteries at least one day ahead.
Frequently asked questions
- How many dodgeballs do I need for a tournament?
- Start with at least one ball per active court and add spare balls for each court. For example, a three-court tournament should have at least three match balls plus several backups, depending on the format and venue.
- What equipment does each dodgeball referee need?
- Give each referee a whistle, stopwatch, clipboard and access to the scorekeeping forms. Keep at least two spare whistles and extra writing supplies at the control table for a full-day tournament.
- How much water should I bring for a dodgeball tournament?
- Plan for roughly 0.5 to 1 litre of water per participant for a half-day event, with extra drinks for referees and volunteers. Put the water out before the first match and refill the crates between rounds.
- When should I buy supplies for a dodgeball tournament?
- Buy or confirm non-perishable supplies at least one week before the tournament. Purchase snacks and chilled drinks one or two days beforehand, and test all powered equipment and sports gear the day before.
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