Before we can dive into where to purchase quidditch equipment, we must first establish what equipment is required in order to play quidditch.
As noted on www.usquidditch.org:
Before a captain or founder can start gathering people together for a quidditch league, they must acquire the below mentioned equipment. Keep in mind that there is basic equipment, and upgraded equipment. Basic equipment is the bare-minimum needed in order to play the game and teams with larger funding or available funds can upgrade to improved equipment options.
Basic Equipment Needs:
Simple Goal Hoops (6) – These goals can be made easily by taping hula hoops to the top of a readily available, sturdy and large object. Objects such as trash cans, chairs, etc.) (Get Hula Hoops Here)
Volleyball (1) – The volleyball should be semi-deflated so it can easily be grasped in one hand, but also round and firm enough to be accurately thrown. (Get Volleyball Here)
Dodgeballs (3) – Same condition as volleyball. Ideal dimensions are 8.5 inch diameter (Get Dodgeballs Here)
Snitch Sock & Shorts (1) – Recommended is a long sock with a tennis ball at the bottom, tucked into shorts that can be fastened tightly with a string. Yellow clothing recommended.
Brooms (14) – These are the hardest item to acquire in the beginning at a low cost. Below are a few recommended options: (Get Brooms Here)
BYOB: In order to get the game growing and your league developing, we suggest you allow players and participants to bring their own brooms. Not only does this help put responsibility on players for providing themselves with equipment, but also allows for additional opportunities on what can be considered “broom-like equipment”. Players may use equipment such as mops, swiffers, PVC piping, sticks, lamps, hockey sticks, etc as broom substitutes at little to no cost.
Upgraded Equipment:
Once a league has been established and entry funding acquired, there are a few additional pieces of equipment that are recommended for Quidditch play.
Headbands – Enough for both teams. 2 Yellow, 6 White, 4 Black, 2 Green. These headbands will help distinguish teams and positions for the referee. (Get All Colors Here)
Referee Jerseys & Whistles (3) – We recommend any basic referee jerseys and a Fox 40 whistle (Jerseys & Whistles)
New Goal Hoops (6) – USQ players have created custom sets of hoops for use in matches. These sets can be purchases for relatively inexpensive prices around $100-200 for a set. The sets do a great job of making the game look and feel legitimate for all players in the league and spectators.
Handcrafted Brooms (14) – There are various companies now that make brooms specifically for Quidditch play that come with the benefit of being lighter, durable, easier to carry and aesthetically pleasing. Household brooms and alternatives are typically heavier and less durable.
Lacrosse Goggles & Mouthguards (14) – Mouthguards are required for official USQ play and should be provided by players. (Goggles & Mouthguard)
Six Digit Scoreboard (1) – These scoreboards are easy to operate with manual numbers. The score should have 6 total digits, 3 in each color to allow for proper scoring. (Get Scoreboard Here)
Megaphone – 500 yard megaphone recommended (Get Megaphone Here)
Purchasing Equipment:
Equipment can be purchased via links above, or through the below distributors:
Alivan’s was the official broom maker of US Quidditch from 2010 to 2015 and they have been used in multiple world cups and regional championships.
Peterson’s Broomsticks is a quidditch equipment company that sells a variety of broomsticks and other quidditch equipment that have been used in world cups.