What You Need for a Karate Tournament

A karate tournament needs more than tatami mats and medals. You also need clearly separated red and blue equipment, reliable scoring and timing tools, registration furniture, power access and supplies for competitors and volunteers. This shopping list covers the equipment and practical items to have ready before the first match. Check quantities against your number of competition areas, registered athletes and expected spectators rather than buying everything in a single standard amount.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Tatami matsqty 120
Mat frame bandsqty 8
Red competition bandsqty 12
Blue competition bandsqty 12
Red chest protectorsqty 6
Blue chest protectorsqty 6
Head protectorsqty 12
Shin guardsqty 12
Mouthguardsqty 12
Competition whistlesqty 10
Red flagsqty 12
Blue flagsqty 12
Scoreboardsqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 8
Training conesqty 12
Spare bandagesqty 20

Furniture

Registration tablesqty 3
Jury tablesqty 4
Catering tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 160
Changing room benchesqty 12
Waste binsqty 12

Equipment

Laptopqty 3
Printer
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Megaphonesqty 2
USB sticksqty 3
First aid kitsqty 2
Fever and ice packsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 6
Bottle openersqty 4
Kettlesqty 3

Decorations

Club flagsqty 8
Tournament bannersqty 4
Directional signsqty 12
Name badgesqty 180

Lighting

LED desk lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Mop setsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Broom setsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 24
Disinfectant sprayqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Paper towel dispensersqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Cocoa powder - 1 pack
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 40 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Sports drink - 60 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Raisin buns - 100 pieces
- Mini wraps - 120 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Whole grain buns - 80 pieces
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Vegetarian snack rolls - 80 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian vegetable skewers - 60 pieces
- Mini pizzas - 100 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Allergen stickers - 1 roll
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags 60 liters - 80 pieces
- Garbage bags 120 liters - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Plastic storage containers - 20 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Cooling packs - 24 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Teaspoons - 100 pieces
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Paper cups - 200 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 300 pieces

Tips

Plan one complete red-and-blue equipment set for every competition area, including chest protectors, flags and competition bands. Add spare protective gear where possible so one missing or damaged item does not stop a match.
Count tatami mats by competition area and confirm the mat frame bands fit before tournament day. A late check is risky because replacement mats or compatible framing may take more than a few days to arrange.
Prepare one scoreboard and stopwatch for each active area, plus competition whistles and spare bandages at the officials’ tables. Test every stopwatch and print a small backup set of competition cards before registration opens.
Match tables and chairs to the room layout: registration, jury and catering each need their own table, while changing rooms need enough benches for the busiest arrival period. Put waste bins near registration, catering and the changing areas instead of keeping them all in one corner.
Check power needs for the laptop, printer, sound system, speakers and microphones at least one day ahead. Bring extension cords and power strips, then chill drinks and prepare snacks early enough to cover the registration period and the full competition schedule.

Frequently asked questions

How many tatami mats do I need for a karate tournament?: You need enough mats to cover every competition area at the same time, with each area sized to your rules and venue layout. Confirm the number of areas before ordering, then check that the mat frame bands fit the chosen mats.
What protective equipment is needed for a karate competition?: Prepare red and blue chest protectors and competition bands, plus head protectors, shin guards and mouthguards for the competitors who need them. Keep spare bandages available and check all equipment before registration day.
How many scoreboards and stopwatches are needed?: Plan one scoreboard and one stopwatch per active competition area. If two areas run at once, prepare at least two of each and test them the day before, with a backup stopwatch if available.
When should I buy supplies for a karate tournament?: Order specialist equipment and prizes as soon as the tournament date and participant categories are confirmed, ideally several weeks before the event. Complete the final shopping check at least one day before, including drinks, snacks, printing supplies and cables.

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