What to buy for a field hockey tournament

A field hockey tournament needs more than sticks and balls. You also need match-day equipment, clear field marking, food service supplies, seating and a reliable drinks setup for players, referees and volunteers. This shopping list covers practical items such as spare balls, bibs, cones, scoreboards, coolers, coffee equipment and serving ware. Check quantities against the number of teams and matches, then buy chilled products close to the event so drinks and food stay fresh.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Hockey sticksqty 24
Hockey ballsqty 40
Training bibsqty 32
Mini goalsqty 8
Goal netsqty 4
Conesqty 40
Marker conesqty 40
Field marking tapeqty 4
Whistlesqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 4
Spare ball bagsqty 4

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 40
Party tentsqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6
Changing room benchesqty 8

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Serving traysqty 6
Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Sandwiches - 160 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Soup - 18 liters
- Breadsticks - 8 packs
- Butter - 4 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Bananas - 10 kilo
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Sugar waffles - 120 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Rubber gloves - 4 boxes

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Equipment

Sound system
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable work lightsqty 4
Folding cratesqty 8
Clipboardsqty 12
Pen setsqty 8
Notice boardsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6

Decorations

Tournament flagsqty 12
Balloon archesqty 2
Tableclothsqty 12

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Safety vestsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Tips

Pack at least one spare hockey ball for every match area, plus extra balls in separate bags. Balls disappear quickly between games, especially when several pitches run at once.
Use enough bibs for the largest team group playing at one time, and add a few spares for replacements. Keep marker cones and field marking tape together so volunteers can reset a pitch quickly.
Plan drinks by service point, not just by total quantity. Give each cooler its own supply of cups, and prepare two to three drinks per person for the first hour before the main meal or break.
Buy disposable-free service items only if you have a washing and return plan. Count reusable cups, coffee cups, plates and cutlery against the maximum number of people served in one round.
Do the main shopping 1–2 days before the tournament and collect chilled products on the day. Set out coffee machines, kettles, thermos flasks and food warmers before the first teams arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a field hockey tournament?: For each active pitch, plan hockey sticks, balls, goals with nets, cones, marker cones, field marking tape, whistles, stopwatches and a scoreboard. Keep at least one spare ball per match area and add training bibs for team identification.
How many drinks should I buy for a field hockey tournament?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each further hour, adjusting for weather and match length. Split the supply between coolers at the fields and the main catering point.
When should I buy food and chilled products for the tournament?: Buy dry goods, tableware and serving equipment 1–2 days beforehand. Pick up chilled products on the event day or the day before, provided you have enough cooler space to keep them cold.
How much catering equipment do I need for a hockey tournament?: Count cups, plates and cutlery for the largest expected serving round, then add roughly 10% spare capacity. Provide at least one serving tray and serving spoon per food station, plus enough tables and chairs for the planned layout.

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