What you need for a handball tournament

A handball tournament needs more than match balls and goals. You will also need reliable scoring equipment, spare supplies, refreshments, coffee gear, power access and practical items for teams, officials and volunteers. Plan for replacements before the first match: balls lose air, whistles disappear and one extension lead is rarely enough. Use this list to check what must be bought, borrowed or delivered, then match quantities to the number of teams, courts and people attending.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Folding chairsqty 12
Changing room benchesqty 8
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Handballsqty 12
Spare handballsqty 4
Training bibsqty 40
Conesqty 24
Marker discsqty 20
Whistlesqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 2
Team bagsqty 8
Ball netsqty 4
Goal netsqty 4
Pumpqty 2
Needles for pumpqty 10
Spare vestsqty 8

Equipment

Stopwatchesqty 4
Megaphone
Laptopsqty 2
Printers
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Speaker
Rechargeable lampsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Small bowlsqty 20
Serving tongsqty 8
Thermos cupsqty 20

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Bread basketsqty 6
Ice packsqty 24
Storage binsqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2

Decorations

Team table signsqty 8
Start and finish sign
Directional signsqty 12
Stage ribbonsqty 3
Pennant flagsqty 4
Team stickersqty 100

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broomsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning cart

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Cocoa powder - 1 pack
- Milk - 10 liter
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemon slices - 4 tubs
- Sandwiches - 120 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White sandwich rolls - 60 pieces
- Cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cucumber - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Banana bread - 4 pieces
- Mini cookies - 6 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Tzatziki - 4 tubs
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Dish cloths - 12 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 2 boxes
- Wound dressing - 4 rolls
- Sports tape - 8 rolls
- Cold compresses - 12 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan at least one match ball per court plus two spare handballs. Check every ball the day before and keep a pump with spare needles at the venue.
Prepare one set of training bibs for each team playing at the same time, plus spare vests in both team colours. This avoids delays when two teams arrive in similar shirts.
Bring one stopwatch and whistle for every active court, with at least one spare of each. Test the whistles and stopwatch batteries before officials arrive.
Estimate two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Use coolers or a beverage delivery plan so drinks stay available throughout the tournament.
Set aside coffee equipment early: allow one coffee machine or kettle per serving point, and bring thermos flasks for busy periods. Check extension cords and power strips before setting up tables and laptops.

Frequently asked questions

How many handballs do I need for a handball tournament?: Plan for at least one match ball per court in use, plus two spare handballs for the tournament. Check their pressure the day before and keep a pump and spare needles nearby.
How many training bibs are needed for a handball tournament?: Allow one full set of bibs for each team playing at the same time, plus spare vests for replacements. If two courts run simultaneously, prepare bibs for four teams at minimum.
How much water and soft drinks should I buy for a handball tournament?: Budget two to three drinks per person during the first hour and one drink per person for every hour after that. Add extra stock for referees, table hosts and volunteers working for the full day.
When should I check the handball tournament shopping list?: Do a complete inventory at least 7 days before the tournament, so missing equipment can be borrowed or ordered. Recheck balls, power supplies, coffee equipment and refreshments 1 day before setup.

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