So the besties and I decided it was time to throw a beer pong tournament, and of course it is going to be annual. This idea was born one night during a random backyard hang out while playing beer pong. We thought it would be fun to actually compete against each other and make it a whole event.
As summer draws to a close, there's no better way to celebrate than by hosting an epic beer pong tournament in your backyard! It's time to gather your friends, crack open some cold drinks, and get ready for a fun-filled evening of friendly competition.
My bestie Katie and I hosted and wanted it to feel a little more fun without it being a whole undertaking to plan. I honestly think this is one of the best low-effort events you can throw with your friends and/or family! The whole idea is it's a little "fratty" low energy and just for the fun of it!
Here's how we planned the best beer pong tournament and what we would do differently next time.
Set the Date and Send Invites
Pick a date that works for you and your group of friends. We went the route of using a site that all of us could vote what dates worked best for us. Since beer pong can be a full-day event, consider a weekend afternoon or early evening when everyone can unwind and enjoy. Once you have a date locked in, create a simple invitation – whether it’s a group message, social media invite, or something fancier, like an e-vite, to get the excitement rolling! We didn't have all the details ready until 2 weeks prior but creating that group chat EARLY, like 2 months early, got the buzz going.
Establish Tournament Rules
Make sure all the players are on the same page by outlining the tournament rules. Things can get sticky when people start saying "well I have never played that way" or "That's not how my fraternity played". So to avoid any nit picking drama, just set some rules yourself and call them "House Rules", you can't fight that. You can see here we set some ourselves. Feel free to download ours from above!
We also required everyone to submit a team name, have a team uniform, and buy-in at $10 a team.
Create a Fun Playlist
No party is complete without great music. Our friend group thrives off the good vibes the music brings, it is an absolute must. Create a summer playlist packed with upbeat, feel-good tunes to keep the energy high. Throw in a mix of summer hits, party anthems, and nostalgic throwbacks that everyone will enjoy. Check out our beer pong playlist here.
Award Prizes for the Winning Team
Nothing motivates people like a little friendly competition. Consider awarding a fun prize for the winning team. It doesn’t have to be expensive – it could be something simple like a beer-themed trophy, funny t-shirts, or a gift card to a local brewery. Our grand prize was actually $110 because it was a $10 buy-in per team. We made a silly jumbo check for the winner as a cute photo-op. By chance, Katie also had speakers and a pickleball set from her job, so we were able to give out prizes for second and third as well.
You can also hand out silly awards, like “Most Creative Shot” or “Worst Pong Player,” to keep the laughs going. We went for tiny little trophies for "Best Dressed", "Best Team Name", and "Best Energy". We had a simple voting area with post-it notes and read off the winners at the end of the night.
Create a Bracket & Get Simple Decor
To keep things organized and competitive, create a simple tournament bracket. Whether you have 8 teams or 16, a bracket will ensure everyone knows when they’re playing and who they’ll be up against. You can either create one manually on paper or use an online bracket generator.
I would say to make it a double-elimination bracket for extra play time, so teams that lose once still have a shot at winning! We had a wild-card bracket but I think definitely go for double-elimination. We thought time wise it would be excessive but I think it can definitely work with multiple tables running.
You’ll need plenty of red Solo cups, ping-pong balls, and of course, beverages of choice. While beer is the classic option, you can also offer a variety of drinks, including seltzers, ciders, or non-alcoholic options for designated drivers and non-drinkers. In our case we went for a BYOB since so many people have different preferences, it just made the most sense.
Have extra ping-pong balls on hand! They tend to disappear quickly during backyard games.
Set Up!
You'll need at least one sturdy beer pong table, but having two or more will make the tournament flow faster. You can either buy foldable beer pong tables or DIY your own with long plywood boards set on sawhorses or tables (I will say a DIY board will really give off that rustic beer pong vibe so depending if your vibes are serious beer pong tables or just for the vibes). If you want to be extra, mark the cup placements with tape to ensure every game is fair.
If you’re feeling creative, decorate with some simple beer decor like balloons, paper, signs, and whatever else.
Set Up a Hydration and Snack Station
Beer pong is fun, but playing for hours in the sun can take its toll. Keep your guests happy and hydrated with a refreshment station filled with water, soft drinks, and plenty of snacks. Chips, pretzels, wings, and pizza are great options for keeping energy levels up between games.
Consider setting up a shaded area with some comfortable seating so people can hang out and relax between rounds.
I definitely recommend going the potluck route as well. If possible, get people to do a sign-up sheet or just let the group chat know what they want to bring for transparency. We had the perfect amount of food but you're not always that lucky!
Have Other Games
I highly recommend setting up additional games or activities for people to participate in while they wait for their turn. We had corn hole out but I definitely think we could include more interactive things for next year. We did have a rule of no practicing when it wasn't your turn, but maybe we can have additional tables setup for casual playing after your team is cut.
I also think adding even more creative ideas to prizes, trophies, and decor will always add to the fun! We have got a few ideas up our sleeves...
Before the night came to a close we also played rage cage. It was an insane game with so many people but so much fun!
Hosting a backyard beer pong tournament is a great way to end the summer on a high note. With a little bit of planning and a lot of fun, you'll create an event that your friends will talk about for years to come. So, gather your supplies, invite your friends, and get ready for an unforgettable day of friendly competition and summer fun.
Cheers to good times, great company, and one last hurrah before summer ends!
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