What you need for a squash tournament

A squash tournament needs more than courts, rackets and balls. Plan supplies for registration, scoring, refreshments, changing areas and the people running matches throughout the day. Buy or collect items early, especially prizes, safety goggles, spare grips and catering equipment, because these are easy to overlook or difficult to replace at short notice. Use the expected player count and tournament length to set quantities, then add a small reserve for delays, spills and extra matches.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 40
Clothes racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Platesqty 50
Forksqty 50
Knivesqty 50
Spoonsqty 50
Serving traysqty 6
Soup ladlesqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Soup kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Pliersqty 4

Sports equipment

Squash racketsqty 8
Squash ballsqty 40
Safety gogglesqty 20
Training bibsqty 32
Scoreboardsqty 6
Spare gripsqty 12

Equipment

Laptop
Tabletqty 2
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Office

Clipboardsqty 8
Ballpoint pensqty 30
Markersqty 6
Tapeqty 4
Scissorsqty 3
Name badgesqty 50

Decorations

Tournament bannerqty 2
Tableclothsqty 6

Safety

First aid kit
Cool packsqty 6

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Flat mineral water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee beans - 1 kilogram
- Black tea - 60 bags
- Herbal tea - 40 bags
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Coffee biscuits - 4 packs
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Muesli bars - 50 pieces
- White sandwich rolls - 60 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 30 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Vegetarian tomato soup - 4 liters
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper hand towels - 6 packs

Tips

Bring at least one playable squash ball per court, plus two spare balls per court for lost or damaged equipment. Check the ball type and condition before the first match.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for every additional hour. Add extra reusable cups so players are not sharing during busy match changes.
Prepare one name badge and one printed schedule for every participant, referee and volunteer, plus at least 10% extra copies. Print these before opening the venue so registration is not delayed.
Keep one spare racket and two spare grips available for every four courts. Safety goggles should cover every player who may be on court at the same time, including substitutes.
For a full-day tournament, provide food for the registered players, referees and volunteers rather than only the competitors. Bring serving trays, cutting boards, bread knives and waste bins before refreshments are set out.

Frequently asked questions

How many squash balls do I need for a tournament?: Plan one match-ready ball per court and two spare balls per court. For four courts, that means at least 12 balls, with the spares kept at the reception or referee desk.
How many drinks should I buy for a squash tournament?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one drink per person for each additional hour. For 32 people over five hours, plan roughly 192 to 224 drinks, depending on drink size and weather.
How many safety goggles are needed for a squash tournament?: Have enough goggles for the maximum number of players on court at one time, plus at least two spare pairs. If 16 players can be playing simultaneously, bring 18 pairs.
When should I order prizes and medals for a squash tournament?: Order them at least three weeks before the tournament so you have time to check names, quantities and delivery. Collect and inspect them no later than two days before the event.

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