What to buy for a volleyball tournament

A volleyball tournament needs more than nets and balls. You also need enough drinks for players between matches, easy food that can be served quickly, and supplies for scoring, first aid and cleanup. Use the plan below to organise what must be bought, borrowed or brought to the venue. Check the sports hall’s equipment and kitchen rules before shopping, because missing extension cables, ball needles or serving trays is difficult to fix once matches have started.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Volleyball netsqty 4
Volleyball postsqty 8
Volleyballsqty 16
Spare ballsqty 4
Line marking tapeqty 8
Whistlesqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 4
Team bibsqty 80
Pumpqty 2
Ball needlesqty 10
First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 4
Changing room benchesqty 12
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Hand trucksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Coffee potsqty 4
Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 6
Ice packsqty 24

Decorations

Team table labelsqty 8
Start number signsqty 8
Stage ribbonsqty 3

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broomsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 12 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Sports drink - 8 crates
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Kaiser rolls - 80 pieces
- Ham - 3 kilograms
- Cheese - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 10 tubs
- Butter - 4 packs
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Energy bars - 80 pieces
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 6 boxes
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles

Tips

Plan 2 to 3 drinks per player for the first hour, then add 1 drink per player for every additional hour. Bring extra water for referees, volunteers and anyone waiting between matches.
Buy food that can be eaten without cutlery and prepare it before the first match. Keep dietary requirements from the registration list next to the food so vegetarian, allergy-friendly and other options are not mixed up.
Check every net, pole and volleyball at least one day before the tournament. Pack a pump, several ball needles and reserve balls separately; these small items are often forgotten until the first ball loses pressure.
Pack one first-aid kit and ice packs where the court officials can reach them immediately. Do not leave them in a locked storage room or buried under catering supplies.
Test the sound system, wireless microphones, extension cables and power strips before participants arrive. Bring cable covers or tape where needed, and label serving tables, changing rooms and waste bins before setup begins.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a volleyball tournament?: Allow 2 to 3 drinks per player during the first hour, followed by 1 drink per player for each additional hour. Add at least 10% extra for referees, volunteers and unexpected demand.
What food should I buy for a volleyball tournament?: Choose food that can be served and eaten quickly between matches, such as prepared snacks, fruit and filled rolls. Buy at least 2 portions per participant if catering covers a full tournament day, then add separate options for every recorded dietary requirement.
When should I check the volleyball equipment?: Check nets, poles, balls, scoreboards, team bibs and the pump at least 24 hours before the tournament. Test any borrowed or reserved equipment again during setup, before the first match begins.
How many volleyballs and reserve balls do I need?: Use at least one match ball per court and keep 1 to 2 reserve balls available for every court. The exact number depends on the schedule, but every court should have a replacement ready without interrupting play.

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