What you need for a table tennis tournament

Use this shopping list to prepare a table tennis tournament without running short on equipment or serving supplies. Check how many tables can run at once, then match the number of nets, paddles, balls, scoreboards, chairs, and administration materials to your schedule. Plan drinks, coffee, cups, plates, and cutlery for the full participant and volunteer count. Leave time to collect prizes, print competition cards and participant lists, chill drinks, and set up the registration table before the first match.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Table tennis tablesqty 4
Table tennis netsqty 4
Table tennis paddlesqty 16
Table tennis ballsqty 60
Ball bowlsqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 8
Table dividersqty 12

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Dressing table

Equipment

Competition clockqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 30

Kitchen

Coffee potsqty 2
Serving traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Competition postersqty 6
Directional signsqty 10

Office

Clipboardsqty 8
Ballpoint pensqty 20
Printer paper
Name stickersqty 50

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 3 jars
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Peanuts - 2 bags
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Carrots - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Mini wraps - 6 packs
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Egg salad - 4 tubs
- Vegan spread - 4 packs
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Bananas - 2 kilos
- Apples - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Muesli bars - 50 pieces
- Brownies - 4 boxes
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces

Tips

Allow one table tennis table and one net for each match played at the same time. Keep at least 3–6 spare balls per active table, because balls regularly roll away or get damaged.
Provide at least one paddle per player in a match, plus 2–4 spare paddles for the tournament. Use ball bowls at each playing area so players are not searching between points.
Prepare one scoreboard and one clipboard for every active table. Print competition cards and participant lists at least one day beforehand, with 10–15% extra copies for changes or lost sheets.
Plan 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and about one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill them before guests arrive; coolers are easier to manage than opening a refrigerator repeatedly.
Buy or collect prizes no later than 3–5 days before the tournament. Put name stickers, pens, printer paper, directional signs, and table dividers together in the registration area so volunteers can start immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How many table tennis tables do I need for a tournament?: Use one table for each match running at the same time. For example, four simultaneous matches require four tables and four nets; add extra tables only if you need a separate registration, catering, or waiting area.
How many table tennis balls should I buy?: Start with 3–6 balls per active table and keep another 10–20 balls as replacements. A tournament using four tables therefore needs at least 22–44 balls, depending on how often you can collect them.
How much food and drink do I need for a table tennis tournament?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour and one more per person for every additional hour. For catering, prepare enough reusable cups, plates, cutlery, coffee cups, and serving space for every participant plus volunteers, with 10% spare capacity.
When should I prepare the tournament paperwork?: Print the participant list, competition cards, signs, and other registration materials at least one day before the event. Keep 10–15% extra copies and set up the administration table before registration opens.

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