What you need for a charity football match

A charity football match needs more than balls and shirts. You will also need equipment for the pitch, a simple setup for donations and refreshments, and enough power and seating for spectators. Plan quantities around your expected attendance, not just the number of players. The items already listed in the plan cover the core setup; use the guidance below to avoid the supplies people most often forget or arrange too late.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 80
Bar stoolsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2
Tableclothsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 100
Platesqty 200
Cutlery setsqty 200
Serving plattersqty 12
Pouring jugsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable work lightsqty 4

Sports equipment

Match ballsqty 4
Spare ballsqty 4
Conesqty 30
Marker vestsqty 30
Boundary flagsqty 4
Spare pump
Whistlesqty 3
Scoreboard
Match shirtsqty 30
Goalkeeper glovesqty 4
Water cratesqty 4
Water bottlesqty 30
Towelsqty 30

Decorations

Bannersqty 8
Buntingqty 12
Balloonsqty 150
Balloon pumpqty 2
Directional signsqty 8
Chalkboardsqty 4
Table décorqty 10
Fixing tapeqty 6
Cable tiesqty 100

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Cooling matsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mop setsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Waste binsqty 8
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 200 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 2 kilogram
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Beer - 120 cans
- Alcohol-free beer - 24 cans
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Sugar packets - 300 pieces
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Coffee creamer - 200 servings
- Grilled cheese sandwiches - 100 pieces
- White casinobread - 12 loaves
- Wholemeal sandwich bread - 8 loaves
- Young cheese - 5 kilogram
- Ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilograms
- Red onion - 1 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Bananas - 4 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 kilogram
- Snack mix - 3 kilogram
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 60 pieces
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 kilograms
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Vinegar - 1 liter
- Parsley - 4 bunches
- Lemon juice - 1 liter
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Compostable gloves - 2 boxes
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Toilet freshener - 4 pieces
- Receipts - 2 rolls
- Wristbands - 300 pieces
- Programme booklets - 250 pieces
- Admission tickets - 250 pieces
- Pens - 20 pieces
- A4 paper - 2 packs
- Name stickers - 200 pieces
- Cash change - 300 euro

Tips

Allow one reusable cup per guest plus 10% extra, so 110 cups cover 100 people and volunteers do not have to wash or collect them during the match.
For a 100-person crowd, prepare at least 4 serving tables, 50 chairs, 2 cool boxes and 2 serving jugs. Add a few bar stools only if refreshments are served from a counter.
Bring 2 match balls and at least 2 reserve balls, then check the pump before the teams arrive. A missing pump is harder to replace on match day than a spare ball.
Use one extension cable and one power strip for each separate service point, and test the coffee makers, kettles, sound system and microphones at least 24 hours beforehand.
Prepare at least 2 donation boxes and test the payment device one day before the match. Put donation signage and the boxes near the entrance, where every spectator passes them.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a charity football match?: You need match equipment such as balls, reserve balls, cones, bibs, flags, whistles and a scoreboard, plus shirts and goalkeeper gloves. For the public area, plan tables, seating, reusable cups, serving equipment, cool boxes, power cables, lighting and donation boxes.
How many drinks should I buy for a charity football match?: Allow 2 to 3 drinks per spectator for the first hour, then 1 to 2 per person for every additional hour. For 100 spectators at a two-hour event, that means roughly 400 to 500 drinks, depending on the weather and whether hot drinks are served.
How many footballs are needed for a charity match?: Take at least 2 match balls and 2 reserve balls for one match. Bring a reserve pump as well, and check every ball before teams warm up.
When should I arrange equipment for a charity football match?: Confirm hired furniture, tents, sound equipment and power supplies at least 2 weeks before the match. Test the payment device, microphones, coffee makers and kettles 24 hours before opening.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.