What to buy and bring for a judo tournament

A judo tournament needs more than mats and medals. You will need equipment for each competition area, supplies for registration and scoring, furniture for officials and spectators, and reliable power for the laptop and printer. Check quantities against the number of tatami areas, competitors, officials, and expected spectators. The items most often arranged too late are printed score sheets, pens, extension cords, barrier tape, and enough chairs and coat storage for the hall.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Judo matsqty 80
Bed edge markingqty 4
Red competition bandsqty 20
White competition bandsqty 20
Judo scoreboardsqty 4
Stopwatchqty 6
Whistlesqty 6
Competition tablesqty 4
Competition chairsqty 16
Scaleqty 2
Judo helmetsqty 2
Training bibsqty 12
Conesqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4
Clipboardsqty 8
Ballpoint pensqty 30
Score sheetsqty 250
Match cardsqty 150

Furniture

Registration tablesqty 2
Catering tablesqty 4
Audience chairsqty 120
Folding chairsqty 20
Clothes racksqty 4
Coat racksqty 2

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Printer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Mobile phoneqty 2
Megaphone
First aid kit
Coolersqty 4
Battery chargersqty 4

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Tea glassesqty 40
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Drink dispensersqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Ice packsqty 20
Bottle openersqty 3
Waste binsqty 8

Decorations

Bannersqty 4
Directional signsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 8
Stage signsqty 3
Medalsqty 60
Cupsqty 12
Certificatesqty 60

Cleaning

Mopqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Paper towel dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee biscuits - 6 packs
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 packs
- Mandarins - 60 pieces
- Sandwiches - 120 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Cheese slices - 3 kilos
- Ham slices - 2 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Jam - 4 jars
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Yogurt - 6 liter
- Muesli - 3 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper cups - 200 pieces
- Paper plates - 150 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Rubber gloves - 2 packs
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 2 boxes
- Sports tape - 6 rolls
- Cold packs - 12 pieces
- Wound disinfectant - 2 bottles
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Paper wristbands - 150 pieces
- Printer paper - 2 packs
- Printer ink - 1 set
- Labels - 2 sheets
- Packing tape - 4 rolls
- Highlighters - 12 pieces
- Cardboard - 20 sheets

Tips

Plan one complete scoring setup per competition area: a scoreboard, stopwatch, whistle, clipboard, pens, score sheets, and match cards. Add at least 20% extra pens and printed sheets so a missing or damaged copy does not stop a bout.
Measure the hall before ordering or borrowing judo mats and bed edge marking. Leave clear walkways around the competition areas, and bring barrier tape and cones to keep spectators and waiting competitors out of restricted zones.
Prepare separate red and white competition bands for every active competition area, plus spare sets. Label the bands and match cards before opening registration; sorting them during the first matches creates avoidable delays.
Bring a scale to the weigh-in point and place it with the registration tables rather than near the competition mats. Set aside a laptop, printer, extension cords, and power strips, then test the complete setup at least one day before the tournament.
Count seating and storage by role: competition tables and chairs for officials, registration and catering tables, audience chairs, folding chairs, and enough clothes racks or coat racks for the expected crowd. Keep barrier tape, a megaphone, and mobile phone accessible for announcements and hall control.

Frequently asked questions

How many judo mats do I need for a tournament?: The number depends on your match schedule and hall size. Plan one complete mat area per competition group running at the same time, then confirm the layout and safety margins with the hall before booking equipment.
How many score sheets and match cards should I print?: Print one set for every scheduled match or group, plus at least 20% extra for reprints and changes. Keep spare blank sheets and match cards at the scoring table rather than in the registration area.
What should I bring for judo tournament registration?: Prepare registration tables, a laptop, printer, power strips, extension cords, clipboards, and ballpoint pens. Have the setup tested at least one day beforehand, and bring 20% more pens and printed forms than the expected number of competitors.
When should I arrange the tournament equipment and supplies?: Confirm mats, tables, chairs, scoring equipment, and the scale at least two weeks before the tournament. Print starting lists and score sheets after registrations close, then pack consumables and cables in labelled boxes the day before.

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