What you need for a volleyball tournament

A volleyball tournament needs more than nets and balls. You also need reliable scoring equipment, spare parts, seating, first-aid supplies and a way to keep players and officials comfortable between matches. Check what the venue already provides before buying anything, especially net posts, tables, power equipment and loudspeakers. This shopping list helps you prepare the items that are easy to overlook, from spare ball valves to enough batteries for the microphones and scoreboards.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 30
Audience benchesqty 8
Tableclothsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Volleyball netsqty 4
Net polesqty 8
Volleyballsqty 12
Ball pumpsqty 3
Spare valvesqty 10
Field marking tapeqty 8
Non-slip matsqty 8
Whistlesqty 6
Referees' chairsqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 4
Scoreboard markersqty 12
Competition foldersqty 6
Spare vestsqty 24
Towelsqty 12
Ice packsqty 24
First aid kit
Ice packsqty 12
Thermal blanketsqty 4

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable batteriesqty 12
Laptop
Printer

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Pliersqty 8
Coffee potsqty 4
Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Storage binsqty 12
Kitchen scale

Decorations

Tournament bannersqty 6
Directional signsqty 8
Team name signsqty 24
Trophiesqty 3
Medal ribbonsqty 24
Stage signsqty 3

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Muesli bars - 48 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Oranges - 30 pieces
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Plain hummus - 4 tubs
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White dots - 80 pieces
- Gluten-free bread - 2 packages
- Butter - 4 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Herb cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Chicken nuggets - 3 kilo
- Vegetarian snacks - 3 kilos
- Mini pizzas - 60 pieces
- Puff pastry snacks - 80 pieces
- Samosas - 60 pieces
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Napkins - 8 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Rubber gloves - 6 pairs
- Paper table runners - 8 rolls
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Bamboo skewers - 200 pieces

Tips

Plan for at least one volleyball per active court, plus one spare ball for every two courts. Check the balls several days before the tournament and pack a pump with spare valves.
Bring one scorekeeper’s set per court: a scoreboard, scoreboard marker and match folder. Pack extra markers because a dry marker can stop scoring immediately.
Prepare first aid for the whole playing day, not just the opening match. Keep the first-aid kit, ice packs, thermal blankets and towels together where the appointed first-aider can reach them quickly.
Count power equipment before match day. Allow enough extension cables and power strips for the laptop, mixer, speakers and wireless microphone receivers, and charge the rechargeable batteries the day before.
Set aside practical equipment for the venue layout: tables for registration and refreshments, seating for officials and spectators, non-slip mats near playing areas, and extra bibs for teams that arrive without matching colours.

Frequently asked questions

How many volleyballs do I need for a tournament?: Use at least one playable ball per active court and keep one spare ball for every two courts. For four courts, that means four match balls plus two spares, subject to the rules and venue requirements.
What should I buy for volleyball tournament scoring?: For each court, prepare one scoreboard, scoreboard marker and match folder. Add at least one spare marker per court and keep the match paperwork together so scorekeepers can change matches without searching for supplies.
How much first-aid equipment is needed for a volleyball tournament?: Have one clearly accessible first-aid kit and enough ice packs for several simultaneous minor injuries. Keep towels and thermal blankets nearby, with the designated first-aider in place before the first match starts.
When should I check the volleyball tournament shopping list?: Do a full stock check at least 3 to 7 days before the tournament, then buy missing items before the final day. Charge batteries, inflate balls and chill drinks the day before whenever possible.

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