What to buy for a tennis tournament

A tennis tournament needs more than rackets and balls. You will need enough refreshments for players waiting between matches, clear scorekeeping supplies, and backup equipment for small problems on court. This shopping list covers the practical items to buy or bring, from reusable cups and coolers to reserve rackets, scoreboards and extension cords. Check quantities against your participant list and match schedule before shopping, especially if the tournament runs for several hours.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Tennis ballsqty 48
Backup tennis racketsqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 4
Competition pensqty 12
Spare net bandsqty 4

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 48
Party tentsqty 2
Clothes racksqty 2

Equipment

Laptopsqty 2
Tabletsqty 2
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Portable speaker

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 40
Serving plattersqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving spoonsqty 6

Decorations

Tournament bannersqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8
Name badgesqty 60

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Flat mineral water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- White bake-off rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole grain bake-off rolls - 40 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1.5 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 750 grams
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Muesli bars - 48 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Prize cups - 3 pieces
- Medal ribbons - 6 pieces
- Gift vouchers - 3 pieces

Tips

Bring at least 3 tennis balls per active court, plus 1 extra can per court for worn or lost balls. Check the balls before players arrive rather than discovering a shortage during the draw.
Plan 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1–2 per person for each additional hour. Use coolers for cold drinks and thermos flasks for coffee so the refreshment table can stay available between matches.
Pack one scoreboard and several wedstrijdpennen per court, with at least 2 spare pens at the match desk. Printed schedules and prizes are easy to overlook, so keep them together with the scorekeeping supplies.
Bring one reserve racket for every 8–12 players, and check reserve net bands before setting up. A small equipment failure can otherwise stop a match while someone searches for a replacement.
For an outdoor tournament, arrange party tents before the event rather than relying on the forecast on the day. Allow table space for sandwiches, fruit, plates and serving platters, and bring extension cords and power strips if coffee machines, kettles or a printer need electricity.

Frequently asked questions

How many tennis balls do I need for a tournament?: Start with at least 3 balls per active court, plus 1 spare can per court. For example, 4 courts require a minimum of 12 balls in play and 4 additional spare cans.
How much food and drink should I buy for a tennis tournament?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1–2 for every extra hour. For food, plan at least 1 sandwich and 1 piece of fruit per participant, then add 10% extra for late arrivals or larger appetites.
What equipment should I bring as backups?: Bring 1 reserve racket for every 8–12 players, at least 2 spare scorekeeping pens, and reserve net bands for each court. Pack extra extension cords and power strips if the refreshment or registration setup uses electricity.
When should I buy and prepare the tournament supplies?: Buy non-perishable equipment and tableware at least 3–5 days beforehand. Buy sandwiches, fruit and chilled drinks 1 day before or on the morning of the tournament, and cool the drinks several hours before players arrive.

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