What to Buy for a Tennis Tournament

A tennis tournament needs more than rackets and tennis balls. You will need match-day supplies for scoring, registration, refreshments, catering and weather protection, plus a few items that are easy to overlook. Plan one scoreboard and one set of competition forms for each active court or lane, and prepare spare grips and extra balls before players arrive. Buy or collect disposable-free serving supplies, coolers and power equipment early enough to test the drink and coffee stations before the first match.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Tableclothsqty 8
Waste binsqty 6

Sports equipment

Tennis ballsqty 48
Scoreboardsqty 4
Competition formsqty 50
Pensqty 20
Spare gripsqty 12
Sunshadesqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Sound system
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving bowlsqty 8

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving jugsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 6

Decorations

Bannersqty 4
Balloonsqty 50
Table décorqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 4

Cleaning

Broomsqty 2
Litter pickersqty 2
Bucketsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted sticks - 3 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 bags
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Crackers - 4 packs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian spread - 6 tubs
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 2 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles

Tips

Prepare at least one scoreboard, a pen and a set of competition forms for every active court or lane, then keep one complete spare set at the tournament desk.
Buy more tennis balls than the match schedule strictly requires: keep at least three unopened cans or an equivalent reserve available for damaged or lost balls.
Allow two to three drinks per player for the first hour, then add water and refreshments for the expected duration. Chill the drinks in coolers before setup rather than at the last minute.
Count reusable cups, coffee cups, plates and cutlery against the number of participants, volunteers and referees, then add roughly 10% extra so a dropped or misplaced item does not stop service.
Check tables, chairs, party tents, sunshades, extension cords and power strips the day before. Tents and shade are easy to forget when the forecast changes, while coffee machines and kettles may need more sockets than expected.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a tennis tournament?: For each active court or lane, prepare tennis balls, a scoreboard, competition forms and pens. Keep spare grips, extra balls and one backup scoring set at the tournament desk.
How many tennis balls should I buy for a tournament?: Plan enough balls for every scheduled match and keep at least three unopened cans, or an equivalent reserve, for replacements. Buy the reserve before the final shopping trip so it is available if balls are lost or damaged.
How many cups and plates do I need for a tennis tournament?: Count one serving setup for every participant, volunteer and referee, then add about 10% extra. Include reusable cups, coffee cups, plates and cutlery, especially if catering runs for several hours.
When should I prepare the tennis tournament supplies?: Check and count all equipment at least one day before the tournament. Chill drinks, prepare balls per court and set up the tournament desk on the event day before the first scheduled match.

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