What you need for a volleyball tournament

A volleyball tournament needs more than nets and balls. You also need practical supplies for scoring, refereeing, team organisation, catering and keeping players hydrated throughout the day. This shopping list covers the equipment and consumables to prepare before teams arrive, including items that are often left until the last minute. Check quantities against the number of courts, teams and expected spectators, then assign one person to check each category before opening the sports hall.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Volleyball netsqty 2
Volleyball postsqty 4
Volleyballsqty 12
Antenna setsqty 2
Referees' chairsqty 2
Team bibsqty 80
Whistlesqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 2
Competition foldersqty 8
Conesqty 20
Ball bagsqty 2
Medalsqty 24
Cup
Trophy
Prize ribbonsqty 8
Pensqty 20
Pencilsqty 12
Markersqty 8
Clipboardsqty 8
Tapeqty 6

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 80
Buffet tablesqty 3
Changing room benchesqty 8

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable work lightsqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Small bowlsqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Pliersqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12

Decorations

Tournament banner
Round tableclothsqty 6
Team table signsqty 8
Prize tablecloth

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Rubber glovesqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 cartons
- Lemon - 6 pieces
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Coffee cups - 150 pieces
- Stirrers - 150 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Mini pistolets - 120 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 6 loaves
- White rolls - 6 loaves
- Herb cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan spread - 4 tubs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan at least one complete scoring setup per court: a scoreboard, match folder, whistle and referee chair. Keep one spare whistle and several pens with the tournament paperwork.
For drinks, allow roughly 1.5 to 2 litres of water per player for a full tournament day, then add extra for referees, volunteers and spectators. Chill drinks before teams arrive rather than relying on a single cooler.
Match catering supplies to the serving plan: provide enough reusable cups, plates, cutlery and bowls for one full round of service, plus about 10% extra. Put serving spoons out with the food so people do not use personal cutlery.
Check volleyball equipment court by court before setup. Each court needs a net, poles, antenna set, balls and boundary markers, while ball bags make it easier to collect equipment between matches.
Test the microphone, speakers, extension cords and power strips before the first match. Charge the work lights in advance and keep cables away from walkways, especially around the scorer’s tables and buffet tables.

Frequently asked questions

How many volleyballs do I need for a tournament?: Plan on at least 3 volleyballs per court: one match ball and two spares for warm-ups or interruptions. Add extra balls if several matches run at the same time or teams share a warm-up area.
How much water should I buy for a volleyball tournament?: Allow 1.5 to 2 litres of water per player for a full-day tournament, plus around 0.5 litres per referee or volunteer. Buy extra if the venue has no reliable drinking-water point or if spectators are included in the catering.
What equipment is needed for each volleyball court?: Each court needs a net, two volleyball poles, an antenna set, volleyballs, a referee chair, a scoreboard and boundary markers such as cones. Prepare one full set per court and keep spare balls and whistles available.
When should I prepare the tournament supplies?: Order non-perishable equipment and prizes at least 2 to 3 weeks before the tournament. Check, charge and pack everything 1 to 2 days in advance, then chill drinks and set out catering supplies on the event day.

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