What to buy for a squash tournament

A squash tournament needs more than rackets and balls. You will also need match-day scoring supplies, equipment for registration and printing, refreshments, serving items, and practical storage for players and volunteers. Plan quantities around your confirmed player list and the number of courts in use. Buy or borrow anything that must be shared at least one week before the tournament, then check chargers, extension cords, and printed materials the day before.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 32
Bar stoolsqty 6
Changing room benchesqty 4
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Squash racketsqty 24
Squash ballsqty 60
Training bibsqty 24
Wristbandsqty 60
Scoreboardsqty 8
Referees' chairsqty 8
Sports bagsqty 4

Equipment

Laptop
Tablet
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Chargersqty 4
Mobile phoneqty 2
Handheld microphone
Bluetooth speaker

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 10
Pitchersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Pliersqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Bottle openersqty 3

Decorations

Tournament banner
Lane signsqty 8
Welcome sign
Direction arrowsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 8
Medalsqty 6
Cupsqty 3
Ribbonsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Mopsqty 3
Rubber glovesqty 6

Lighting

LED lampsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Sports drink - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Student mix - 3 bags
- Pretzels - 3 bags
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Muesli bars - 48 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 6 packs
- Mandarins - 40 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 6 tubs
- Carrots - 4 bags
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Plain hummus - 4 tubs
- Whole wheat bread - 10 loaves
- White buns - 80 pieces
- Currant buns - 40 pieces
- Gluten-free bread - 2 loaves
- Butter - 4 tubs
- Jam - 3 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Pesto - 2 jars
- Pasta salad - 8 kilograms
- Potato salad - 6 kilogram
- Wraps - 80 pieces
- Falafel - 4 kilograms
- Chicken schnitzels - 4 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Chocolate bars - 40 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Herb Salt - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan at least one racket and one playable ball for every court in use, plus two spare rackets and several spare balls for the tournament desk. Players may bring their own equipment, but spares prevent delays when something breaks or goes missing.
Prepare one score sheet or competition slip for every scheduled match, plus 10 extra copies. Print the final schedule and participant list no later than the day before, and keep a laptop or tablet available for last-minute updates.
Provide one reusable cup per participant and volunteer, then add 10 extra cups. For a half-day tournament, allow two drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink for each following hour.
Use at least one scoreboard per court and one referee’s chair per court. Wristbands or training bibs are useful for identifying volunteers, referees, or different player groups when several matches run at once.
Set up food and drinks separately from the playing area. Bring serving platters, pitchers, thermos flasks, coolers, cutting boards, plates, and cutlery before doors open; these are easy to overlook when the focus is on courts and match schedules.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a squash tournament?: For each court, plan a scoreboard and referee’s chair, with rackets and balls available for players. Add a laptop or tablet, printer, chargers, extension cords, power strips, competition slips, and spare balls for the tournament desk.
How many squash balls should I buy for a tournament?: Start with at least two playable balls per court and keep several spares at the desk. For four courts, that means eight balls in play or ready to use, plus four to six additional balls for replacements.
How many cups and drinks do I need for a squash tournament?: Provide one reusable cup per participant and volunteer, plus 10 extra cups. For the first hour, plan on two drinks per person; for each additional hour, add one more drink per person.
When should I buy supplies for a squash tournament?: Buy or reserve shared equipment, serving items, and prizes at least one week beforehand. Complete the main shopping two to three days before the event, and check electronics, printed slips, and refreshments again the day before.

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.