What you need for a field hockey tournament

A field hockey tournament needs more than sticks, balls and goals. You also need enough seating, serving ware, drinks, power and equipment for scorekeeping across several matches. Use the quantities below as a planning guide, then adjust them to the number of teams, players and spectators. Check the grounds and weather before shopping so tents, lighting and backup supplies are ready before teams arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 80
Beer benchesqty 8
Foldable tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Hockey goalsqty 4
Hockey goal netsqty 4
Hockey ballsqty 40
Spare hockey sticksqty 12
Training bibsqty 40
Conesqty 40
Field markingsqty 16
Referee whistlesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 4
Spare ball bagsqty 4
First aid kitqty 2
Cold packs setsqty 4

Equipment

Laptopsqty 2
Tabletsqty 2
Power banksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Portable speakersqty 2
Clipboardsqty 12
Ballpoint pensqty 30
Permanent markersqty 12
Printer

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Light cablesqty 3

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 150
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Water jugsqty 8
Barbecuesqty 2
Grill racksqty 2
Serving tongsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Ice packsqty 24

Decorations

Team flagsqty 8
Start and finish banner
Competition schedule boardqty 2
Directional signsqty 10
Tableclothsqty 8
Winner's cupsqty 3
Medal ribbonsqty 30

Cleaning

Dustpans and brushesqty 3
Mop setsqty 2
Trash grabbersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon tea - 1 box
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 6 loaves
- Kaiser rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 3 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Oranges - 6 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Barbecue sausages - 100 pieces
- Veggie burgers - 40 pieces
- Burger buns - 100 pieces
- Fried onions - 3 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Potato salad - 8 kilos
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Green salad - 8 kilos
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Dish cloths - 24 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 4 packs
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Wooden skewers - 200 pieces
- Barbecue charcoal - 4 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Matches - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan at least one match ball per active field, plus two spare balls per field. Pack spare sticks, bibs, cones and a separate ball bag so a missing or damaged item does not stop a match.
For a full tournament day, allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour and one drink per person for each additional hour. Add extra water for players, referees and warm weather.
Set up one scorekeeping point per field with a stopwatch, scoreboard, whistle and a charged tablet or laptop. Bring at least one power bank and a power strip for each area that needs charging.
Count seats and tables for the registration and catering areas separately from team seating. Keep reusable cups, plates, cutlery and coffee cups together, and place waste bins beside both food and spectator areas.
If the forecast is uncertain, arrange party tents, LED lamps, light cables and extension cords before the tournament day. Test every cable and lamp during setup, not when darkness or rain has already arrived.

Frequently asked questions

How many hockey balls do I need for a tournament?: Plan for at least one match ball per active field, plus two spare balls per field. For four fields, that means four match balls and eight spares, before allowing for practice or warm-up balls.
How much water and how many drinks should I buy for a field hockey tournament?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for every following hour. Buy extra water for players and referees, especially if the tournament lasts more than four hours or the weather is warm.
How many tents and tables are needed for a hockey tournament?: There is no fixed number without the team and spectator count, but separate the setup into registration, catering and shelter areas. Confirm the final numbers at least one week before the tournament so tents, tables, chairs and beer benches can still be arranged.
When should I buy tournament prizes and catering supplies?: Order prizes and catering at least two weeks before the tournament, then collect or confirm them during the final week. Buy drinks, disposable backup supplies and other shopping items one to two days beforehand so chilled drinks and fresh food are ready on time.

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