What You Need for a Table Tennis Tournament

A table tennis tournament needs more than tables, bats and balls. You also need enough scoreboards, chairs, serving supplies, drinks and printed materials to keep matches moving and registration organised. Buy or gather the basics early, then check quantities against the number of players, tables and spectators. Drinks should be chilled before doors open, while sandwiches and serving items are easiest to prepare shortly before the tournament starts.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Table tennis tablesqty 6
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Dressing tablesqty 2

Sports equipment

Table tennis netsqty 6
Table tennis paddlesqty 24
Table tennis ballsqty 120
Floor markingsqty 2
Match Scoreboardsqty 6
Medalsqty 3
Trophy

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Lighting

LED lampsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 40

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2

Decorations

Balloonsqty 50
Buntingqty 6
Directional arrowsqty 8
Name badgesqty 50

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 4 loaves
- Young matured cheese - 2 kilograms
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Butter - 500 grams
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Spring water - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Lemon slices - 3 nets
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Paper napkins - 8 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Cleaning wipes - 3 packs

Tips

Plan at least one table tennis table and net for every match running at the same time. Keep extra balls available: allow 2 to 3 balls per active table, plus a few spares for lost or damaged balls.
Prepare one paddle per player on court, with at least 2 spare paddles for the tournament. Pack floor markings and match scoreboards before leaving for the venue; these are easy to overlook when the sports equipment is packed separately.
For drinks, allow 2 to 3 servings per person for the first hour and one additional serving per person for each following hour. Chill them in coolers before setup, and bring reusable cups rather than relying on cups found at the venue.
Allow 1 sandwich per player for a short tournament and 2 per person for an event lasting most of the day. Pack plates, cutlery, serving trays, cutting boards and bread knives together so food preparation does not depend on a last-minute venue search.
Print the participant list, competition forms and directional signs at least 24 hours ahead. Bring a laptop, printer, extension cords and power strips if registration or printing will happen at the venue, and pack name badges for every confirmed participant plus a few extras.

Frequently asked questions

How many table tennis balls do I need for a tournament?: Allow 2 to 3 balls for each table in use, plus 5 to 10 spare balls for a small tournament. Add more if several matches run at once or the venue has difficult-to-reach areas where balls may roll away.
How much food and drink should I buy for a table tennis tournament?: Buy 1 sandwich per player for a short event and 2 per person for a tournament lasting most of the day. Plan 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 additional drink per person for every extra hour.
What should I bring for tournament registration?: Bring the participant list, printed competition forms, name badges, a laptop and a printer if results or late changes must be recorded onsite. Print everything at least 24 hours before the event and pack a few spare badges and forms.
How many chairs and tables are needed at a table tennis tournament?: Provide at least 1 chair for every player waiting or spectating, plus 2 to 4 chairs at the registration table. Set aside 1 separate table for registration and another for food and drinks if the venue has enough space.

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