What to buy for a Scrabble tournament

A Scrabble tournament needs more than boards and letter tiles. You will also need enough scoring materials, timers, dictionaries, name badges and table supplies to keep several matches moving at once. Check every game set before shopping: missing racks or letters are easy to overlook until players sit down. Plan drinks and snacks around the number of registered players, and keep spare stationery and tiles at the score table rather than in storage.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 48
Registration desk
Score table
Prize table
Stoolsqty 4

Game materials

Scrabble gamesqty 12
Scrabble boardsqty 12
Letter bagsqty 12
Letter racksqty 48
Dictionariesqty 12
Double timersqty 12
Spare lettersqty 2
Scoreboard
Whistle

Office

Score sheetsqty 150
Pensqty 60
Pencilsqty 30
Name badgesqty 50
Clipboardsqty 12
Printer paper
Markersqty 6
Calculatorsqty 3

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Coolersqty 3

Tableware

Glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving traysqty 6
Serving jugsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 12
Prize ribbon
Round board

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Broom
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mop set

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 1 kilo
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Butter - 500 grams
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell pepper - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces

Tips

Count one complete Scrabble game, board, letter bag and set of racks for every match running at the same time, then add at least one spare set if the budget and storage allow.
Prepare one score sheet and at least one pen or pencil per player for each round. Add 10–20% extra sheets and writing tools because they disappear or become unusable during a long tournament.
Use one double timer for every active game table, plus one spare timer at the score table. Test the batteries or timing method before players arrive, not when the first round starts.
Give every participant a name badge and keep markers, clipboards and spare printer paper at registration. Print more score sheets and schedules than the exact registration count—around 10% extra is a practical margin.
Buy drinks and snacks only after registrations close, using the confirmed headcount and dietary requirements. Put coffee cups and glasses near the drinks station, and reserve coolers for items that must stay cold.

Frequently asked questions

How many Scrabble sets do I need for a tournament?: Buy or bring one complete set for every game played simultaneously. For example, six active matches require six boards, six letter bags and six sets of racks; one spare set is useful if a tile or rack goes missing.
How many score sheets should I print for a Scrabble tournament?: Print at least one sheet per player for every scheduled round, plus 10–20% extra. For 24 players playing five rounds, prepare at least 144 sheets so replacements are available.
How many timers are needed for a Scrabble tournament?: Provide one double timer per active game table and keep one spare at the score table. If eight matches run at once, bring nine timers in total and test them before setup.
When should I buy snacks and drinks for a Scrabble tournament?: Wait until registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed, then shop 1–2 days before the tournament. Buy enough for the final participant count, with a small extra margin rather than guessing weeks in advance.

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