What you need for a pub quiz

A pub quiz needs more than questions and a host. Each team needs a clear place to sit, something to write with, and enough answer sheets for every round. You also need materials for scoring, tie-breakers, audio or picture rounds, and a reliable way to display or play content. This shopping list helps you cover the items people often remember only after teams have arrived, including spare pens, printed backups, and equipment checks.

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What to bring

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

Administration

Event plan
Pub quiz concept document
Event timeline
Budget spreadsheet
Expense tracking sheet
Venue agreement
Supplier contact list
Organizer contact list
Volunteer roster
Team registration form
Participant database
Team list
Attendance sheet
Event checklist
Quiz rules document
Event schedule
Feedback forms
Sponsor agreements
Final event report template
Quiz question database
Printed quiz questions
Quiz round sheets
Answer sheets
Answer key
Score sheets
Tie-breaker questions
Bonus questions
Question category list
Quiz host script
General knowledge questions
History questions
Geography questions
Science questions
Sports questions
Music questions
Film and television questions
Backup questions
Team registration cards
Team number cards
Name tags
Participant badges
Pens
Pencils
Erasers
Clipboards
Team answer folders
Team instruction sheets
Quiz rule cards
Score cards
Voting cards
Prize claim forms
Participation certificates
Thank-you cards
Information flyers

Safety

Emergency contact list
First aid kit
Hand sanitizer

Activities

Picture round materials
Audio round materials

Logistics

Table number signs
Chairs
Lost-and-found box
Team signs
Tablecloths
Welcome sign
Directional signs
Event banner
Tape
Scissors
Cable ties
Registration table
Quiz tables
Prize display table
Display stands
Storage boxes

Prizes

Trophy or winner award
Medals
Prize vouchers
Gift certificates
Sponsor prizes
Prize bags

Cleaning

Waste bins
Recycling containers
Cleaning supplies

Kitchen

Serving trays
Ice bucket

Groceries

Coffee supplies
Tea supplies
Snacks
Bar menu
Drinks menu
Water bottles
Cups
Plates
Napkins

Decorations

Decorative posters
Theme decorations
Balloons

Technical

Speakers
Digital scoreboard
Mixing console
Printer
Music playback device
Printer paper
Extension cords
Audio cables
Camera
Laptop computer
Video cables
Projector
Power strips
Projection screen
Chargers
Presentation remote
Backup batteries
Sound system
USB drives
Microphones
Timer or stopwatch

Tips

Plan one answer sheet per team for every round, plus at least 10% extra. For 10 teams, print 11 sheets per round so a damaged or missing sheet does not stop the quiz.
Bring at least two pens per team and keep 10 spare pens at the host table. Pens disappear quickly when teams move between rounds or complete a tie-breaker.
Prepare a separate folder or envelope for each round, containing the printed questions, answer sheets, and host notes. This prevents the music, picture, and standard rounds from being mixed up.
For audio, video, or picture rounds, bring the required playback and projection equipment, connection cables, and a backup copy of every file. Test the full setup before participants arrive, not just the laptop.
Keep printed copies of the quiz rules, team list, attendance list, scoresheets, and tie-breaker questions at the registration and host tables. These are the documents most often needed when a team arrives late or disputes a score.

Frequently asked questions

How many answer sheets do I need for a pub quiz?: Print one answer sheet per team for each quiz round, then add at least 10% spare sheets. For 8 teams and 6 rounds, prepare 53 sheets: 48 planned sheets plus 5 backups.
How many pens should I bring to a pub quiz?: Give each team two pens and bring at least 10 spare pens for the host table. For 12 teams, that means 34 pens in total, so a missing or dried-out pen does not delay a round.
What equipment do I need for a music or audio round?: You need a laptop or playback device, speakers, the audio files, connection cables, and a backup copy. Test the complete setup at least 60 minutes before the quiz starts and keep printed questions available if the equipment fails.
How many printed quiz questions should I prepare?: Print one complete question set for the host and one set for each round folder, with one extra copy of the full quiz. For 6 rounds, prepare 7 labelled sets and keep the spare separate from the working copies.

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.