What you need for a pole dancing competition
A pole dancing competition needs more than competition poles and music. You’ll need safety equipment for performers, a clear setup for judges and registration, reliable sound and power, and enough supplies for changing, refreshments and clean-up. Use the quantities below as a starting point, then adjust them to the number of competitors and the venue. Arrange specialist equipment and technical items early; forgotten adapters, spare batteries and tested music files are common last-minute problems.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Registration desk
- Jury tablesqty 2
- Catering tablesqty 4
- Chairsqty 110
- Bar stoolsqty 8
- Clothes racksqty 4
- Changing room screensqty 4
- Waste binsqty 8
Sports equipment
- Competition Polesqty 2
- Safety matsqty 4
- Warm-up matsqty 12
- Stretch bandsqty 12
- Blocks for the jury tablesqty 4
Equipment
- Laptopsqty 2
- Tabletsqty 3
- Printer
- Portable speakersqty 2
- Wireless microphonesqty 2
- Mixer
- Extension cordsqty 8
- Power stripsqty 8
- USB sticksqty 4
- Power banksqty 4
Lighting
- LED work lightsqty 4
- LED string lightsqty 6
- Spare batteriesqty 24
Tableware
- Reusable drinking glassesqty 120
- Coffee cupsqty 80
- Platesqty 120
- Cutlery setsqty 120
- Serving plattersqty 12
- Serving tongsqty 8
- Pitchersqty 8
- Thermos flasksqty 4
Kitchen
- Coolersqty 6
- Ice cube traysqty 4
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Chef's knifeqty 4
- Measuring cupsqty 2
- Serving trays with lidsqty 8
Decorations
- Competition banner
- Red carpet
- Balloon archesqty 2
- Tableclothsqty 8
- Stage signsqty 3
- Name card holdersqty 12
Cleaning
- Vacuum cleaner
- Mopsqty 2
- Bucketsqty 2
- Microfiber clothsqty 12
- Hand sanitizer stationsqty 4
- Toilet brushesqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 1 pack
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Flat mineral water - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilo
- Ham - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Vegan toppings - 1 kilo
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Whole wheat wraps - 40 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto sauce - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Muffins - 80 pieces
- Mini croissants - 100 pieces
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 60 pieces
- Sugar-free cookies - 3 packs
- Vegan cookies - 3 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 3 packs
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
Tips
- Plan one competition pole and one full safety mat setup for every active performance area, plus a separate warm-up area with mats and stretch bands. Check pole stability and surface condition before competitors arrive.
- Prepare one jury table and chair per judge, then add blocks if the tables need a better viewing height. Print score sheets and prepare spare copies at least one day before the event.
- Set up the registration desk with a laptop or tablet, printer, name badges and power access. Keep at least one USB stick and one power bank available as backups for music and registration data.
- Test every music file on the actual laptop, mixer and speakers at least 24 hours before the competition. Pack extension cords, power strips and spare batteries together so the technical setup does not depend on one outlet or device.
- For drinks, allow two to three servings per person for the first hour and add coffee cups, reusable glasses, plates and cutlery for the number of guests you expect. Chill drinks before doors open, and place waste bins near the catering and changing areas.
Frequently asked questions
- How many safety mats do I need for a pole dancing competition?
- Use one complete safety mat setup for each competition pole or active performance area. Add at least one separate warm-up mat area so performers can prepare without blocking the competition floor.
- When should I test the music for a pole competition?
- Test all music files at least 24 hours before the event using the exact laptop, mixer and speakers planned for the competition. Keep the final files on two USB sticks in case the main device or file fails.
- How many judges' tables and chairs are needed?
- Plan one jury table and one chair for each judge, with enough space for score sheets and laptops or tablets. Prepare printed score sheets at least one day ahead and bring spare copies for every judging round.
- How much food and drink should I buy for a pole dancing competition?
- Budget two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add more according to the expected event length. Buy snacks and serving supplies for competitors, judges and crew, and chill the drinks before registration opens.
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