What You Need for a Karate Tournament

A karate tournament needs more than tatami mats and medals. You’ll need clearly marked competition areas, matching protective equipment, tables for registration and judging, and reliable scoring and announcement equipment. Plan the shopping around the number of competition areas and registered athletes, because belts, chest protectors, head guards and score sheets may be used at the same time. Check consent forms and the final match schedule before buying disposable supplies or printing participant materials.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Karate tatami matsqty 80
Field markingsqty 4
Red competition beltsqty 8
Blue competition beltsqty 8
Red chest protectorsqty 12
Blue chest protectorsqty 12
Head protectorsqty 12
Shin guardsqty 12
Glovesqty 12
Stair protectorsqty 12
Bib numbersqty 120
Whistlesqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 6
Hand tally countersqty 12
Scoreboardsqty 4
Red flagsqty 8
White flagsqty 8
Brushes for matsqty 4

Furniture

Registration tablesqty 2
Jury tablesqty 4
Catering tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 80
Prize-giving table
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Printer
Sound system
Microphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging cablesqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Cable tiesqty 100

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving bowlsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Ice packsqty 20
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving tongsqty 8
Teaspoonsqty 50

Decorations

Tournament bannerqty 2
Signage boardsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 8
Stage blocksqty 3
Trophiesqty 24
Medalsqty 72
Medal ribbonsqty 72
Name badgesqty 40

Lighting

LED table lampsqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Rood - 48 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Whole grain rolls - 80 pieces
- Sliced cheese - 3 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 4 packs
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Mandarins - 80 pieces
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Rice cakes - 8 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Vegan cookies - 6 packs
- Butter cookies - 8 packs
- Mini raisin buns - 80 pieces
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 4 boxes
- Bandages - 8 rolls
- Wound disinfectant - 4 bottles
- Cold compresses - 12 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes
- Paper cups for water - 200 pieces
- Pens - 30 pieces
- Highlighters - 12 pieces
- Printer paper - 3 packs
- Tape - 12 rolls
- Labels - 200 pieces
- Ziplock bags - 2 boxes
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces

Tips

Prepare one complete equipment set for each competition area: tatami mats, field markings, red and blue belts, flags, scoreboards and timing equipment. This prevents officials from sharing gear between matches.
Match protective equipment to the tournament rules and athlete categories. Count red and blue chest protectors, head protectors, shin guards and gloves separately, and add enough sizes for simultaneous bouts.
Buy or prepare bib numbers and printed participant lists only after registration closes. Keep a small reserve of blank numbers and extra print paper for late corrections.
Plan furniture from the hall layout: registration tables, jury tables, catering tables, chairs, a prize-giving table and waste bins should be placed before volunteers arrive. Keep power strips and extension cords away from walkways.
Test the laptop, printer, sound system and microphone at least one day before the tournament. Bring spare extension cords, power strips and printer supplies so registration and announcements do not stop if one connection fails.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a karate tournament?: You need tatami mats, field markings, red and blue competition belts, protective equipment, flags, scoreboards, stopwatches, whistles and hand tally counters. You also need tables, chairs, registration materials, a laptop, printer and sound system.
How many karate belts and chest protectors should I buy?: Count the number of competition areas and simultaneous bouts first. For each active area, plan at least one red and one blue belt and one red and one blue chest protector, then add spare sizes for replacements.
What should I prepare for karate tournament registration?: Prepare registration tables, a laptop, printer, participant lists, bib numbers and printed materials. Finish the final lists after registration closes and keep extra paper and blank numbers available for corrections.
When should I check the karate tournament shopping list?: Do a full inventory at least one week before the tournament, then check the packed equipment again the day before. Test the laptop, printer, microphone and sound system no later than the previous day.

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