If it’s your first time setting up a school spirit booth, you’re probably somewhere between excited and stressed. And rightfully so!

It’s a lot to figure out, what to sell, where to set up, and how not to run out of change halfway through.

But all these overwhelming emotions would subside once the crowd shows up, and you see students rocking your designs or asking what sizes you have left, it’s all worth it. It’s fun, it’s rewarding, and it definitely gives you a confidence boost for next time.

The good news is, running a successful booth isn’t rocket science. With some planning, decent design, and a few smart choices, you can pull it off. Here’s how to set up a school spirit gear booth that people actually stop at and buy from.

Why Run a Spirit Gear Booth?

Before jumping into steps, it’s worth asking why you’re doing this. Having a clear purpose from the get go makes it easier to make every decision about what to sell and how to promote.

Your spirit gear booth could have a goal to raise funds for your sports team or club project. Maybe it’s about boosting school spirit for upcoming events and getting students to wear matching logos, sports yard signs, and slogans that build identity.

Or maybe it’s simply about bringing newcomers together, especially new students who want to feel part of something bigger.

Whatever your reason, knowing your “why” sets the tone for your “how.” Once that's in place, you can get started with setting up your booth seamlessly.

8 Steps to Run a Successful School Spirit Gear Booth

First thing, if you’re setting up your first school spirit booth, it’s best not to overcomplicate it. 

That being said, start with a plan, the right mix of gear, and some help from your team, so you can run it smoothly and actually have fun doing it:

1. Choose the Right Event and Location

Timing and placement can make or break your booth. 

It's best to aim for events that naturally draw both students and families like homecoming, pep rallies, open houses, major football games or game nights. They are perfect because people are already in the mood to support their school.

Next, when you’re scouting a location, go for high-traffic areas like near concession stands, entrances, or main hallways. 

Do check with school administration or your activities director to confirm booth space, setup rules, and whether fundraising sales are allowed or not. 

You’ll also want to know about power access if you plan to use lights or electronic payments.

2. Decide What to Sell

This is where a smart approach and maybe a little creativity come in. 

You don’t need a massive catalog to sell big, you just need items that are affordable, appealing, and easy to move.

Like decals, wristbands, hats, or magnets. Smaller items can help you reach students on tighter budgets. You can also decide whether you’ll sell everything on-site or allow pre-orders for t-shirts or other limited-edition pieces.

Pro Tip: Skip custom-text or personalization and go for designs with only your school logo or mascot because bulk items cost less, ship faster, and are easier to manage during busy events. Also, students would be able to resell them. 

3. Budget and Plan Inventory

Again, every successful booth starts with smart planning. So, estimate your total budget, factor in product costs, shipping, and any additional setup materials like bags or signs.

And don’t overstock, but also don’t understock. If possible and available, use sales data from past events. 

You need to have a plan for payments too: mobile card readers can help you reach more buyers than cash-only setups. And don’t forget to recruit volunteers early and assign clear roles (cashier, greeter, stock manager).

4. Design a Booth That Draws a Crowd

You’ve got the right event and the right merch, now make it impossible for anyone to walk by without stopping. 

That can be done with a well-designed booth and it's not about the looks but experience as well.

Use your school colors boldly and make your mascot visible from afar. Hang a big banner so people instantly recognize your booth as the official spot for spirit wear and fundraising. 

You can add a tablecloth in school colors, a few standing signs with your bestsellers, and maybe a mannequin or hanger display showing the most popular spirit gear item.

Tip: Bring a mini toolkit because you’d be surprised how often you’ll need scissors & zip ties.

If the event runs into the evening, battery-powered lights or LED strips can make your setup stand out (and help your products look great in photos). 

Remember, the more photogenic your booth, the more likely people will post about it online.

Tip: A small mirror and a mini changing area can make trying on hoodies or hats easier, encouraging on-the-spot sales.

5. Create School Spirit

Spirit wear booths that really succeed don’t just sell, they spark pride. So, use your booth to remind everyone why they’re there: to celebrate the team, the community, and the school’s identity.

Play the anthem, showcase photos from past games or pep rallies, or have a student volunteer as the mascot for quick photo ops. Encourage visitors to snap pictures with hashtags like #GoWildcats or #SpiritBooth2025 etc. These little touches build excitement.

You can even offer bundle discounts like “Buy a Tee! get a wristband free” or “Family packs” with tees in different sizes.

6. Promote Before, During, and After

Even the best booth won’t reach its potential if no one knows it’s there. So, build some buzz a week before the event using school newsletters, morning announcements, and social media. 

Share sneak peeks of your merch with captions like “Coming to the Homecoming Game? Don’t miss our new limited-edition gear!

Even during the event, encourage live posting and run a mini-contest for the best photo featuring your booth. After the event, keep momentum going by posting a “Thank you for supporting!” message along with leftover items available online or for pickup.

That way, your school spirit doesn’t end when the lights go off and it rolls right into your next fundraiser.

7. Track What Works

Every event teaches you something. Keep notes on what sold fastest, what sizes or designs ran out early, and what didn’t move at all. This helps refine your inventory for next time and prevents waste.

Ask buyers what they liked or wished you had. Ask for simple feedback like a one-question poll on social media. This can shape smarter decisions for your next event.

And if you use a POS system, export your sales data as it’s your roadmap to a more successful spirit wear program.

8. Keep the Spirit Going Year-Round

Don’t let your booth be a one-and-done deal. 

Create mini pop-up sales during sports tournaments, parent-teacher nights, or graduation week. 

Keep a small online storefront or order form open so families can buy spirit wear anytime.

You can also refresh your designs seasonally with spring tees, or limited-edition senior collections. This keeps engagement high and ensures your fundraising doesn't end with an event.

Partner with All Sport Designs for Effortless Setup

Running a spirit wear booth doesn’t have to be a juggling act. With All Sport Designs, you get everything from bulk ordering to quick shipping and design assistance under one roof. 

If you pop over to our product page, you’ll know it's not any average gear shop, we 're all about bulk car magnets, custom decals, signs, heat transfer designs and more so teams and schools can flex their pride. 

You can get car window sports decals, locker magnets, helmet decals, yard signs, banners, and even vinyl floor and wall decals for events. Plus everything’s customizable, your logo, mascot, slogan etc. You name it, we’ll make it happen.

Our team helps schools create affordable, high-quality gear that fans actually want to wear. Simply focus on building school spirit, and let us handle the printing, packaging, and delivery so your booth runs smoothly from setup to checkout.