What you need for a pétanque tournament

A pétanque tournament needs more than boules and a place to play. You will need enough sets for simultaneous matches, clear court markers, scoring materials, seating and a serving area. Food, chilled drinks and reusable tableware keep players comfortable between rounds, while tents and lighting help if the weather changes or the event runs late. Use this list to check what must be bought, borrowed or brought before tournament day.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 56
Beer tablesqty 4
Waste binsqty 6

Sports equipment

Pétanque setsqty 16
Cochonnetsqty 20
Measuring tapesqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 8
Whiteboard markersqty 12
Field marking tapeqty 4
Barrier conesqty 24
Field numbersqty 8
Prizesqty 4
Clipboardsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Equipment

Portable speaker
Extension cordsqty 3

Cleaning

Broomsqty 3
Dustpansqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea assortment - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 6 liters
- Coffee creamer - 2 tubs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 30 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Back ham - 2,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Egg salad - 1,5 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Iceberg lettuce - 6 heads
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salty breadsticks - 3 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls

Tips

Count your playing lanes before buying equipment. Each active lane needs a pétanque set, a cochonnets, measuring tape, court markers and a way to record the score.
Allow one seat per participant, plus enough folding tables or beer tables for registration, food and drinks. Set up a separate reception table so team check-in does not block the buffet.
Plan drinks for the tournament duration, not just the first round. Keep coolers ready before players arrive and provide reusable glasses, with extra capacity for refills.
Buy or borrow weather protection early. Party tents, extension cords and lighting are easy to overlook, but replacing them on the day may be impossible if rain is forecast.
Prepare prizes and competition materials before the first match. Have scoreboards, clipboards, markers, field numbers and prizes together so the schedule can start without a search for supplies.

Frequently asked questions

How many pétanque sets do I need for a tournament?: Use one complete pétanque set for every match played at the same time. For example, six simultaneous matches require six sets, plus at least one spare set if equipment is shared or damaged.
How many pétanque courts can I set up in one area?: Allow a clearly marked playing lane for each match and leave enough space between lanes for players to move safely. Mark and number every court before arrival; setting up six courts typically needs several rolls of marking tape and visible field numbers.
What food and drink equipment do I need for a pétanque tournament?: Provide coolers, reusable glasses, serving platters, serving tongs, cutting boards, bread knives and tableware for the full participant count. Set out coffee and tea with thermos flasks, and chill drinks before registration rather than during the first matches.
When should I buy prizes and tournament supplies?: Order prizes and check sports equipment at least one week before the tournament. Complete the final equipment check two or three days ahead, including scoreboards, measuring tapes, markers, court tape and extension cords.

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.