What to Bring to a Volleyball Tournament? (For Players, Coaches, Parents, and Everyone Else)

With a whole lot of things to worry about during a volleyball tournament, from game strategies to keeping your energy levels up, it is easy to forget the essentials.

Ensuring you are equipped with not just the sporting gear but also those small creature comforts can turn a day-long event from a trial into a triumph.

And let’s be honest, a well-packed bag can make all the difference between merely surviving the tournament and truly enjoying it, even when the pressure is on!

Here is the checklist for players, coaches, and parents for a volleyball tournament that will make your event a true success.

What to Pack for a Volleyball Tournament as a player?

Winning the volleyball tournament require foolproof strategy. And one part of this startegy is to keep your things in place for that big day (or a number of days if your event is long enough).

Here is what to take.

Item	Why?
Volleyball Shoes	To keep you from slipping and sliding better than a penguin on ice.
Team Uniform	So you don’t show up looking like you’re ready for a swim when it’s game time.
Spare Uniform	Because sometimes, the game gets as messy as a toddler with spaghetti.
Athletic Socks	To give your feet the VIP treatment they deserve—soft, comfy, and blister-free.
Knee Pads	Your personal knee bodyguards against the ruthless court surface.
Ankle Braces (if needed)	For when your ankles are more fragile than your grandma’s china collection.
Personal Water Bottle	To fend off thirst like a superhero with their trusty sidekick, H2O.
Healthy Snacks	Fuel up with something better than what you’d find at a gas station.
Personal ID & Medical Info	So people know you’re you, even if you’re out cold (but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that!).
First Aid Kit	For patching up boo-boos, from “oops” to “ouch”!
Sunscreen & Lip Balm	Because looking like a lobster is only cool if you’re under the sea.
Change of Clothes	For when you want to switch from sweaty athlete to comfy human.
Towel	To keep the sweat at bay and maybe signal for help in a game of towel Morse code.
Protective Eyewear	To keep your peepers safe because, let’s face it, flying volleyballs are scarier than birds. (Among other things)
Hydration Supplements	To electrolyte your life and keep the cramps at bay.
Cooling Accessories	Because sometimes the heat is more intense than the game itself.
Portable Chair or Blanket	Claim your throne or magic carpet wherever the tournament takes you.
Entertainment Stuff	For those “Are we there yet?” moments between matches.
Backpack or Duffel Bag	Your trusty steed to carry the load, no squires needed.
Slides/Sandals/Crocs	For giving your feet a breather, because they’ve earned it.
Headband and Hair Ties	To keep your hair more controlled than a class with a substitute teacher.
Braces/Athletic Tape and Pre-Wrap	Because sometimes your body needs a little extra hug to keep everything in place.
Swimsuit and Flip-Flops	For impromptu pool parties or just because you can.
Travel Clothes	To travel in style, or at least in something other than your volleyball gear.
Fingernail Clippers	Because no one wants to be Wolverine on the court.
Foam Roller/Spiky Ball	For when you need to iron out those muscles like Sunday’s finest shirt.

Not to mention that if you are expected to stay overnight, take necessary beddings as well after talking with the tournament management.

What to Take to a Volleyball Tournament as parents

When parents go to cheer/accompany their children to a volleyball tournament, they can get carried away due to the magnitude of the event.

This could result in chaos, as they can forget essentials in a hurry.

So always take the following items a parent going on a volleyball tournament.

Item	Why?
Comfortable Seating	So you don’t end up feeling like you’ve done a workout just from watching the game.
Nutritious Snacks	Because your athlete runs on more than just air and high fives.
Hydration Options	To prevent your star player from turning into a raisin under the sun.
Sun Protection	To avoid competing with the volleyball for the brightest object at the tournament.
Weather-Appropriate Clothing	Because being mistaken for an icicle or a melted popsicle isn’t the goal.
First Aid Kit	For those “I swear I was just trying to catch the ball” moments.
Camera or Smartphone	To capture every serve, spike, and occasional faceplant, in glorious high definition.
Binoculars	For when you’re seated so far away, the players look like ants in a picnic.
Signs or Banners	To embarrass your child with visible proof of your undying support and enthusiasm.
Portable Fan or Heater	Because Mother Nature doesn’t always get the memo about the game schedule.
Umbrella or Canopy	Your personal shield against the wrath of the sun or the surprise rain dance.
Cash and Credit Cards	For those emergency “I forgot my water bottle, socks, shoes…” moments.
Entertainment	To keep you sane during downtime and prevent any “Are we there yet?” flashbacks.
Team Schedule & Location Map	So you don’t end up cheering for the wrong team…again.
Emergency Contact List	Because remembering phone numbers is so 90s.
Spare Clothes & Towels	For the aftermath of victory dives and unexpected weather ambushes.
Power Bank	To ensure your lifeline (aka your phone) survives longer than your attention span.
Water Spray Bottle	For those moments when your athlete is on fire (figuratively, of course).
Insulated Cooler	To keep your snacks and drinks as cool as you are.
Makeup Remover/Baby Wipes	For wiping away sweat, tears, or last night’s victory party makeup.
Small Blankets	Because sometimes gym ACs are set to “Arctic Tundra.”
Laundry Detergent	In case the tournament turns into a mud wrestling competition.
Tripod	For capturing every game moment, because shaky hands can’t be trusted.

What to Pack for a Volleyball Tournament as a Coach

Getting your athletes prepared for the volleyball tournament is one thing.

Bringing the performance out of them on the most important days is another.

And the performance of the team somehow depends on the bag of the coaches as well.

That is why you need to pack the following things to be ready for big days ahead.

Item	Why?
Coaching Clipboard	Your playbook fortress, guarding secret strategies from prying eyes and accidental coffee spills.
Whistles	The power to cut through chaos with a single blow—use it wisely, young Jedi.
Extra Pens/Markers	Because pens tend to go on adventures of their own in the middle of a game.
Team Roster & Schedule	So you don’t accidentally play Kevin in volleyball when he’s actually signed up for chess club.
First Aid Kit	For everything from scraped knees to bruised egos.
Water Cooler & Cups	The oasis in the desert of competition—hydration is key!
Snacks & Energy Bars	The fuel to keep your team’s engines running, because nobody plays well hangry.
Tactical Board	Your canvas to paint the masterpiece that is “The Winning Play.”
Stopwatch	Because timing is everything, except when you forget to start it.
Portable Speaker	For blasting “Eye of the Tiger” and other motivational anthems.
Sunscreen	To prevent your team from turning into a squad of lobsters.
Team Tent or Canopy	Your team’s mobile fortress, minus the moat and drawbridge.
Extra Equipment	Because practice volleyballs, like socks, have a habit of disappearing in mysterious ways.
Contact List	So you can phone a friend when you need backup or a reality check.
Team Medical Forms	Because remembering Timmy’s peanut allergy is crucial at snack time.
Portable Seating	So you can sit back and pretend you’re calm, cool, and collected.
Team Banner/Flag	Mark your territory with more flair than a medieval knight.
Camera/Smartphone	To immortalize moments of triumph or hilarious blooper reels for the end-of-season party.
Rain Gear	Because the weatherman is about as reliable as a two-sided coin.
Personal Comfort Items	Your survival kit to avoid turning into a coach-zombie by the end of the day.
Travel Volleyball Cart	Your chariot awaits to haul the sacred volleyballs to battle.
Leggings/Sweats	The official uniform of “I woke up at 4 AM for this tournament.”
Khakis	When you need to look like you’ve got everything together (even if the clipboard is holding the game plan scribbles).
Board Games	Because sometimes you need to remind the team that fun doesn’t always involve a net and a ball.
Tablet for Stat Keeping	For when you’re serious about knowing every move on the court but can’t be bothered with paper.
Reffing Assignments List	So you don’t end up refereeing your own team’s game – conflict of interest much?

Some volleyball tournaments also offer food, especially for players and coaches, so you could minus the food items if your tournament provides that!

Having said that, always get in touch for people in charge who may have a specific guideline of what to bring and what to avoid for your volleyball tournament.