What you need for a table tennis tournament

A table tennis tournament needs more than tables, nets and balls. You will also need clear match materials, spare paddles, drinks, snacks and a simple refreshment area for players and volunteers. Buy or borrow the consumables first, then check that the technical equipment works before the venue opens. This list helps you cover the items that are often forgotten, especially power supplies, name badges, waste bins and backup balls.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Table tennis tablesqty 6
Table tennis netsqty 6
Table tennis ballsqty 100
Spare paddlesqty 12
Floor marking tapeqty 4
Competition bibsqty 20

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 40
Tableclothsqty 6
Waste binsqty 6

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Timerqty 6
Megaphone
Coolersqty 4

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving traysqty 6
Scissorsqty 3
Pliersqty 4

Decorations

Tournament banner
Round table numbersqty 6
Name badgesqty 70
Prizes and trophiesqty 6
Winner ribbonsqty 6

Lighting

LED lightingqty 4

Cleaning

Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Hand brushes and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Coffee biscuits - 4 packs
- Still water - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Mini cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Wraps - 6 packs
- Cheese slices - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian sandwich slices - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan around two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill the drinks before opening and keep extra stock in coolers.
Bring at least one spare paddle and several spare balls for each playing area. Balls disappear or split quickly during a full tournament, and stopping a match to search for replacements causes delays.
Set up one refreshment station with reusable drinking cups, plates, cutlery and serving trays. Provide coffee cups separately, and prepare enough thermos flasks or kettles so players are not waiting between matches.
Count one name badge for every participant, volunteer and organiser, plus a few blank badges. Keep scissors and pliers with the tournament materials so small setup problems can be fixed immediately.
Pack extension cords and power strips with the laptop, printer, coffee maker and kettles rather than leaving them for the venue. Test the printer and timer before the first match, and use floor marking tape to keep cables and walkways clear.

Frequently asked questions

How many table tennis balls do I need for a tournament?: Plan on at least 6 to 10 balls per playing area, plus another 10 to 20 spare balls for the whole tournament. A larger stock is useful when several matches run at the same time or players use different balls.
How many drinks should I buy for a table tennis tournament?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and about one additional drink per person for every hour after that. Add extra water for warm venues or tournaments lasting more than three hours.
What food should I buy for a table tennis tournament?: Choose easy-to-serve snacks that can be eaten between matches, and plan roughly two to three portions per person per hour. Buy more than the minimum when players will stay for several hours, and keep serving trays, plates and waste bins at the refreshment area.
When should I prepare the tournament equipment?: Check the tables, nets, paddles, balls, laptop, printer and timer at least one day before the tournament. Pack the materials in labelled groups, then arrive about 60 to 90 minutes before the first match for setup and a final floor and space check.

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