What you need for a volleyball tournament

A volleyball tournament needs more than nets and balls. You also need a reliable setup for registration, scoring, refereeing, food service, seating and waste collection. Use the equipment list below as your base, then check quantities against the number of courts, teams and players. Plan drinks and serving supplies early, especially when dietary requirements are still being collected. Set aside time before the tournament to inflate every ball and test the scoring equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 80
Registration desk
Buffet tablesqty 4
Referees' chairsqty 4
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Volleyball netsqty 4
Volleyball postsqty 8
Competition volleyballsqty 12
Spare volleyballsqty 4
Field antennasqty 8
Line marking tapeqty 8
Team bibsqty 80
Whistlesqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 4
Game clocksqty 4
Ball cartqty 2
Ball pumpqty 2
Pump needlesqty 10
Referee lanyardsqty 6
Conesqty 24
Training hoopsqty 12
Sports bagsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 60
Small bowlsqty 20

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Drink dispensersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4

Equipment

Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Laptop
Printer
Power banksqty 4

Decorations

Tournament bannerqty 2
Team table labelsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Bib numbersqty 80
Stage ribbonsqty 3
Medalsqty 24
Cupsqty 3
Tableclothsqty 8

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning cart
Glovesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 60 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Sports drink - 80 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Bread rolls - 180 pieces
- Whole wheat bread rolls - 120 pieces
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 5 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 4 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 8 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 5 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Mandarins - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Yogurt dressing - 3 bottles
- Pesto - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Stock cubes - 1 box
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper bread bags - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Pedal bin liners - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Gauze pads - 2 packs
- Sports tape - 12 rolls
- Cold packs - 12 pieces
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Pen sets - 8 sets
- Highlighters - 4 sets
- Printer paper - 2 packs
- Name stickers - 120 pieces
- Wristbands - 150 pieces

Tips

Count one complete net, pole set, antenna set, score display and referee chair for each court in use. Keep at least two reserve volleyballs available per active court so a damaged or lost ball does not stop play.
Allow one registration table and two chairs for every registration point, plus one printed match sheet for each scheduled game and a few spare copies. Prepare the team list before doors open so check-in does not delay the first matches.
For a tournament lasting several hours, plan roughly two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for each following hour. Keep drinks in multiple cool boxes rather than one container that everyone has to open.
Use reusable cups, plates and cutlery, and provide at least one complete set per expected guest plus a 15 percent buffer. Put serving bowls and platters at the buffet before food arrives so volunteers are not searching for them during the break.
Inflate and inspect all match and reserve balls at least one day ahead, using the pump and spare pump needles. Pack whistles, lanyards, line-marking tape, cones and team bibs in a separate sports bag so officials can find them quickly.

Frequently asked questions

How many volleyballs do I need for a tournament?: Use at least one match ball per active court and keep two reserve balls per court. For four courts, that means four match balls and eight reserves, before adding any training balls.
How much water and soft drink should I buy for a volleyball tournament?: For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person, then one drink per person for every additional hour. Add about 15 percent extra for warm weather, long matches or limited access to refill points.
How many referee chairs and scoreboards are needed?: Plan one referee chair and one scoreboard for every court running at the same time. If three courts are active, prepare three of each and keep the match schedule visible at the registration table.
When should I prepare the volleyball tournament equipment?: Check the inventory at least one week before the tournament and confirm missing rentals or purchases immediately. Inflate and test balls, nets, scoreboards and clocks no later than the day before the event.

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