How to organise a handball tournament

Start by fixing the tournament date and reserving a sports hall with enough space for the planned playing fields. Then set the rules, open registration and contact referees and a first aid attendant before teams are confirmed. Once entries close, assign teams, build the match schedule and calculate catering quantities. In the final week, check every ball, goal, scoreboard and cable, then move the materials to the hall early enough to inspect the floor and set up the courts.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Set tournament date
2
Reserve the sports hall
3
Set up playing fields
4
Draw up tournament rules
2 people
5
Send invitations
2 people
6
Open the registration form
7
Contact referees
2 people
8
Contact the first aid attendant
9
Process registrations
10
Collect dietary requirements
11
Create team assignments
2 people
12
Create the match schedule
2 people
13
Confirm participants
14
Confirm referees
15
Calculate catering needs
16
Order prizes and medals
17
Check tournament materials
2 people
18
Create a shopping list
19
Do the shopping
2 people
20
Collect fresh produce
2 people
21
Take materials to the sports hall
4 people
22
Check the sports hall floor
2 people
23
Set up the course
4 people
24
Set up goals
4 people
25
Set up the score tables
2 people
26
Set up audience seating
3 people
27
Set up team tables
2 people
28
Set up the reception desk
2 people
29
Set up catering table
3 people
30
Fill coolers
2 people
31
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people
32
Prepare snacks and sandwiches
4 people
33
Prepare match forms
2 people
34
Test music and microphone
2 people
35
Prepare first aid supplies

Event

36
Staff the registration desk
2 people
37
Welcome the teams
3 people
38
Hand out team shirts
2 people
39
Give the opening briefing
40
Supervise races
6 people
41
Record scores
3 people
42
Announce the schedule
43
Serve drinks
3 people
44
Refill drinks
2 people
45
Serve snacks
3 people
46
Refill coffee and tea
2 people
47
Keep the rest area tidy
48
Empty trash bins
2 people
49
Record injuries
50
Check results
2 people
51
Lead the final
4 people
52
Prepare awards ceremony
2 people
53
Carry out award ceremony
3 people
54
See participants off
2 people

Aftercare

55
Gather sports equipment
4 people
56
Take down goals
4 people
57
Clear away chairs and tables
4 people
58
Collect tableware
3 people
59
Wash dishes
3 people
60
Empty the coolers
2 people
61
Pack leftover food
2 people
62
Dispose of waste
3 people
63
Clean the catering table
2 people
64
Clean the sports hall
4 people
65
Return materials
4 people
66
Return borrowed materials
2 people
67
Share the results
68
Share photos with participants

What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 80
Team tablesqty 8
Bar stoolsqty 4
Coat racksqty 4

Sports equipment

Handballsqty 12
Handball goalsqty 4
Goal netsqty 4
Conesqty 40
Marker discsqty 30
Training bibsqty 40
Whistlesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 4
Game clocksqty 4
Team shirtsqty 80
Captain's armbandsqty 8
Pumpqty 2
Ball needlesqty 10
First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Athletic tapeqty 8
Thermal labelsqty 4

Equipment

Laptopsqty 2
Tabletsqty 4
Mobile phonesqty 4
Printers
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Power banksqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 4

Decorations

Team flagsqty 8
Tournament banner
Directional signsqty 8
Prize tablecloth

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Reserve the sports hall before opening registration, and confirm how many fields can be marked out at the same time. This determines the number of teams and matches you can accept.
Contact referees and the first aid attendant as soon as the date is fixed. Confirm both again before the tournament; last-minute replacements are difficult to arrange.
Close registration before creating team assignments and the match schedule. Leave time to confirm participants, collect dietary requirements and correct withdrawals before printing the schedule.
Check the equipment in one place at least a week beforehand: handballs, goal nets, whistles, stopwatches, scoreboards, game clocks, bibs, cones and a pump with ball needles. Test laptops, tablets, printers, microphones and extension cords as well.
Bring materials to the sports hall before match day if possible, or arrive with a clear setup window. Inspect the floor first, then set up goals, fields and score tables before teams arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a handball tournament?: Set the date and reserve the sports hall at least 8 to 12 weeks ahead. Open registration only after the hall, referees and first aid cover are being arranged.
How do I create a handball tournament schedule?: First confirm the number of teams and available fields, then decide the match length, breaks and format. Finish the schedule at least 7 days before the event so participants and officials can check it.
When should I confirm handball tournament participants?: Confirm teams after registration closes and after dietary requirements have been collected. Send the final participant list and match schedule 5 to 7 days before the tournament.
What equipment do I need for a handball tournament?: Allow at least one suitable handball per playing field, plus goals, nets, cones, bibs, whistles, stopwatches, scoreboards and game clocks. Also check power, printing and communication equipment at least 3 days before setup.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.