What you need for a volleyball tournament

Use this shopping list to prepare the practical supplies for a volleyball tournament, from nets and balls to score sheets, refreshments, and first-aid essentials. Check what the sports hall already provides before buying or hiring equipment. For a full day, plan supplies by team and by court rather than relying on one shared box. The details people often miss are spare ball needles, extension cables, ice packs, and enough cups for the busiest break periods.

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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
Referees' chairsqty 2
Whistlesqty 6
Antennasqty 4
Cargo strapsqty 4
Field marking tapeqty 4
Conesqty 24
Training bibsqty 24
Ball netsqty 4
Spare ball needlesqty 10
Ball pumpqty 2
Towelsqty 12
Ice packsqty 6
First aid kitsqty 2

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 6
Changing room benchesqty 8
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Sound system
Microphoneqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable power banksqty 4
Laptopsqty 2
Tabletsqty 4
Calculatorsqty 2

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving traysqty 6
Pliersqty 6
Small bowlsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 50
Water jugsqty 8

Decorations

Team name signsqty 16
Arrow signsqty 12
Tournament banner
Tableclothsqty 8
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon ribbonqty 4
Medal ribbonsqty 24

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 8 crates
- Spa Rood - 2 crates
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Ice tea - 3 bottles
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee beans - 3 bags
- Tea bags - 2 boxes
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemon slices - 2 nets
- Coffee stirrers - 200 pieces
- Paper napkins - 400 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- White bread - 6 loaves
- Bread rolls - 80 pieces
- Mini wraps - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Low-fat margarine - 3 tubs
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 12
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan spread - 12 portions
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Sambal - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Napkins - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 3 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 8 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Napkin dispensers - 4 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Teaspoons - 50 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Food storage containers - 20 pieces
- Ice packs - 20 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one match ball per active court, plus one spare ball for the tournament. Keep a pump and several spare needles at the scoring table; a flat ball can otherwise stop a match.
Count equipment per court: each active court needs its own net, posts, antennas, net bands, referee chair, whistle, and court-marking supplies. Confirm the hall’s net height and post setup before tournament day.
For drinks, allow roughly 2–3 servings per player during the first two hours and add extra cups for volunteers, referees, and spectators. Put water at the team area instead of making players queue at the bar.
Prepare one first-aid kit and several ice packs at the court-side control point, with towels nearby. Check at least one week before the event that the kit is stocked and that a named first-aid contact is available.
Bring printed score sheets, schedules, and team information even if results are entered on a laptop or tablet. Pack power strips, extension cables, and charged power banks the day before so the scoring desk is not dependent on one outlet.

Frequently asked questions

How many volleyballs do I need for a tournament?: Use one match ball per active court and keep at least one spare for the whole tournament. For four courts, bring five suitable volleyballs, plus a pump and spare needles.
How much water and how many cups should I buy for a volleyball tournament?: Budget 2–3 drinks per player for the first two hours, then add about one drink per person for each additional hour. Add 10–15% extra cups for referees, volunteers, and unexpected guests.
What first-aid supplies are needed for a volleyball tournament?: Place at least one fully stocked first-aid kit and several ice packs beside the courts. Check the supplies 7 days before the tournament and keep towels available for cold packs or minor injuries.
When should I prepare the tournament equipment and printed materials?: Check hired or borrowed sports equipment at least 7 days ahead and pack consumables the day before. Print the schedule, score sheets, and team briefing materials 1–2 days before the event, with spare copies for every court.

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