What to buy for an American football game
This American football game shopping list covers the items that are easy to miss before kickoff: field-marking supplies, spare ball equipment, referee gear, player-zone signs and reliable power. It also includes practical event supplies such as tables, coolers, cups, catering items, waste bins and lighting. Check the list against the number of teams, matches, volunteers and spectators, then shop early enough to chill drinks, portion snacks and replace anything missing before the site inspection.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 3
- Foldable tablesqty 8
- Folding chairsqty 120
- Beer tablesqty 6
- Waste binsqty 8
- Beverage coolersqty 4
Sports equipment
- American footballsqty 6
- Conesqty 30
- Field marking tapeqty 4
- Team zone signsqty 2
- Tackle shieldsqty 2
- Training bibsqty 30
- Referee whistlesqty 4
- Flags for refereesqty 6
- Scoreboard
- Competition necklace
- Down marker
- Spare pump
- Ball needlesqty 6
Equipment
- Sound system
- Wireless microphonesqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 4
- Power stripsqty 4
- Power banksqty 4
- Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Lighting
- LED lampsqty 6
- Battery lanternsqty 4
Tableware
- Reusable drinking cupsqty 150
- Platesqty 150
- Cutlery setsqty 150
- Serving plattersqty 12
- Pitchersqty 6
- Coffee potsqty 3
- Thermos flasksqty 4
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Chef's knivesqty 4
- Pliersqty 6
- Serving spoonsqty 6
- Coolersqty 6
- Food warmersqty 4
- Handwash sinksqty 2
- Bottle openersqty 4
Cleaning
- Broom setsqty 3
- Floor squeegeesqty 2
- Bucketsqty 4
- Spongesqty 12
- Microfiber clothsqty 20
- Hand soap dispensersqty 4
- Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 6
- First aid kitsqty 2
- Safety glovesqty 12
Decorations
- Team flagsqty 4
- Welcome signsqty 3
- Program boardsqty 4
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Beer - 8 crates
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Brown rolls - 60 pieces
- Hot dogs - 150 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 150 pieces
- Hamburgers - 120 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Cheese slices - 3 packs
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Peanut mix - 4 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Vegan burgers - 10 pieces
- Vegan sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Allergen-free barbecue sauce - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant gel - 6 bottles
Tips
- Pack a spare pump and several ball needles with the footballs. A flat ball or broken needle can delay warm-ups and is easy to overlook until teams arrive.
- Plan one clearly marked team zone for each team, using signs and enough tables or chairs for the people attending. Bring extra seating if volunteers and officials will not use the team areas.
- Test the scoreboard, sound system, wireless microphones and walkie-talkies before match day. Charge power banks, check extension cords and power strips, and confirm that the venue has enough usable outlets.
- Buy or bring more drinking cups, plates and cutlery than the planned meal count. A practical buffer is 10% extra, especially when reusable cups are collected and washed during the event.
- Prepare coolers and catering supplies before guests arrive, not during the first game. Chill drinks several hours ahead, set out waste bins near food and spectator areas, and keep LED lamps or battery lanterns ready if the event runs late.
Frequently asked questions
- What equipment do I need for an American football game?
- At minimum, plan for American footballs, cones, field marking tape, referee whistles and flags, a scoreboard, a down marker, team zone signs and tackle shields. Add a spare pump and ball needles so a damaged or deflated ball does not stop play.
- How many drinks should I buy for an American football game?
- For the first hour, allow 2 to 3 drinks per person, then add about 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Buy at least 10% extra cups and drinks when attendance is uncertain, and chill the drinks several hours before kickoff.
- What should I buy for food and serving an American football event?
- Count one plate and one cutlery set per expected meal, then add 10% extra. Provide reusable drinking cups, plates, cutlery, tables for serving, beverage coolers and waste bins; portion snacks before the first match so volunteers are not serving during play.
- When should I check the shopping list for an American football game?
- Do the first stock check at least 7 days before the game, giving you time to order missing materials. Recheck the equipment, power, catering and lighting 1 day before the event, then pack the spare pump, needles, batteries and cables separately.
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