What you need for a volleyball tournament

A volleyball tournament needs more than nets and balls. Your shopping list also has to cover scoring, officiating, team identification, refreshments, printing and reliable power for the schedule desk. Plan equipment per court, then add backups for the items that can stop play when they fail. This guide helps you check the practical details before teams arrive, from spare volleyballs and pump needles to cups, coolers and extension cables.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Volleyball netsqty 4
Volleyballsqty 12
Spare volleyballsqty 4
Field marking tapeqty 8
Net polesqty 8
Referee chairsqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 4
Whistlesqty 8
Pump with needlesqty 2
Spare antennasqty 8
Competition bibsqty 24

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 6
Changing room benchesqty 12
Party tentsqty 2

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Sound system
Microphoneqty 2
Megaphone
Rechargeable walkie-talkiesqty 6

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Drink dispensersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Medalsqty 48
Winner's cupsqty 3
First aid kit
Ice pickqty 6
Notice boardsqty 2
Pensqty 30
Markersqty 12
Clipboardsqty 8
Groceries
- Spa Blue - 12 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Ice pops - 200 pieces
- Apples - 12 kilos
- Bananas - 10 kilo
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 6 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salted pretzels - 8 bags
- Muesli bars - 200 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 12 bags
- Wholemeal rolls - 8 bags
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Sliced chicken breast - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Vegetarian wraps - 120 pieces
- Chicken breast strips - 6 kilo
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Bell peppers - 8 kilo
- Corn - 12 cans
- Cucumber - 8 kilos
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Coffee stirrers - 300 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper cups - 300 pieces

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 200
Platesqty 200
Cutlery setsqty 200
Serving spoonsqty 12
Small bowlsqty 20

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 16
Pliersqty 8
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Corkscrewqty 2
Bottle openersqty 4

Decorations

Tournament bannersqty 4
Team table numbersqty 16
Pennant garlandsqty 6
Tableclothsqty 12

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 4

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8

Tips

Count one volleyball net, set of net posts and referee chair per court, then keep at least one spare volleyball available for every two active courts. Check net height and tension before the first match.
Pack a pump with several needles, spare antennas, marking tape and whistles in one clearly labelled equipment box. These small items are easy to overlook and can delay the tournament when they are missing.
Set up one scoring and registration table with a laptop, printer, extension cables and power strips. Bring printed match forms as a fallback so a printer or connection problem does not stop the schedule.
Plan refreshments by service point rather than by guesswork: provide coolers or drink dispensers, reusable cups, coffee cups and plates, with separate supplies for volunteers and players. Chill drinks before the venue opens, not after teams arrive.
Prepare a visible kit for team identification and operations, including match bibs, scoreboards, megaphone or microphone, and charged radios. Test the sound equipment and charge every radio the day before the tournament.

Frequently asked questions

How many volleyballs do I need for a tournament?: Use at least one match ball per court and keep one spare ball for every two courts. For four courts, that means four active balls plus two spare volleyballs, with a pump and extra needles ready.
What equipment is needed for each volleyball court?: Each court needs a volleyball net, net posts, boundary marking, a referee chair, a scoreboard and a whistle. Add reserve antennas and spare marking tape before setup day.
How much drinking equipment should I buy for a volleyball tournament?: Prepare at least one reusable cup per expected player and volunteer, plus a reserve of about 10 percent. Use enough coolers or drink dispensers to keep drinks accessible at the venue instead of relying on one serving point.
When should I prepare the volleyball tournament shopping list?: Finish the first equipment check at least one week before the tournament and buy missing items no later than two to three days before it. Chill drinks and pack consumables on the day before the event.

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