What you need for a handball tournament

A handball tournament needs more than balls and goals. You also need working scorekeeping equipment, spare gear, seating, shade, power and a simple drinks setup for players and officials. Use this shopping list alongside your match schedule and team assignments, then check every item before loading the car. The items people most often arrange too late are spare balls, pump needles, extension leads, charging cables and shelter for the jury or registration table.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Jury tablesqty 2
Bar stoolsqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8

Sports equipment

Handball goalsqty 2
Goal netsqty 2
Match ballsqty 12
Spare ballsqty 4
Ball pumpqty 2
Needles for ball pumpqty 10
Conesqty 30
Marker discsqty 40
Training bibsqty 24
Boundary tapeqty 2
Ground anchorsqty 12
Measuring tapesqty 2
Referee whistlesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 2
Team uniformsqty 8
Cool Bags for Iceqty 2

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Mobile phoneqty 2
Charging cablesqty 4
Megaphone
Coolersqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Soup ladlesqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Pliersqty 4
Ice packsqty 16
Insulated jugsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broom setsqty 3
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Light cablesqty 3

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Team flagsqty 8
Welcome sign
Directional signsqty 8

Catering

Drink dispensersqty 3
Coffee filtersqty 100
Trophiesqty 3
Medal ribbonsqty 24
Vouchersqty 100
Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Mints - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 kilo
- Sandwiches - 120 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Kaiser rolls - 60 pieces
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Cheese - 4 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Egg salad - 2 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 12
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Granola bars - 80 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Large trash bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 3 boxes
- Gauze pads - 2 packs
- Sports tape - 12 rolls
- Elastic bandages - 6 pieces
- Paracetamol - 2 boxes
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Disposable ice packs - 12 pieces

Safety

First aid kit
Ice packsqty 12
Safety vestsqty 8
Flashlightsqty 4

Paper goods

Score sheetsqty 80
Program leafletsqty 120
Pen setsqty 12
Clipboardsqty 6
Name stickersqty 100
A4 foldersqty 6

Tips

Bring at least one spare match ball for every playing court, plus a ball pump and several pump needles. A missing needle can stop warm-ups even when the balls are ready.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in advance and keep extra stock in coolers rather than relying on one ice box.
Pack one stopwatch and one referee whistle per active court, with one spare of each. Test the stopwatches and print the score sheets before officials arrive.
For outdoor courts, take boundary tape, cones, marker discs, measuring tapes and ground anchors. Check the surface and wind forecast at least one day before the tournament so temporary markings do not become a last-minute problem.
Count power needs before leaving: include one extension cord and power strip for each scoring or registration point, plus charging cables for the phone and megaphone. Bring reusable cups and label a clear place for clean and used cups.

Frequently asked questions

How many handballs do I need for a tournament?: Plan on one match ball per active court, one spare ball per court, and at least two additional spares for the whole tournament. Bring a pump and several compatible needles as well.
How many drinks should I buy for a handball tournament?: For the first hour, calculate two to three drinks per person, including players, referees and staff. Add one drink per person for every following hour, then buy a small extra buffer for delays and warm weather.
What equipment is needed at the handball jury table?: Each active court needs a scoreboard, score sheets, a stopwatch and a referee whistle. Add a phone, charging cable and power supply if results or schedules are managed electronically, and prepare everything before the first match.
When should I buy and chill drinks for a handball tournament?: Buy non-perishable supplies several days ahead and check the full list at least 48 hours before the event. Chill drinks the evening before, then top up the coolers on the morning of the tournament.

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