What to buy for a field hockey tournament

Use this shopping list to prepare a field hockey tournament without leaving key supplies until match day. It covers pitch equipment, match administration, catering, drinks, serving items, power and shelter. Plan quantities from the number of teams, players, officials and volunteers, then add a small reserve for damaged balls, extra drinks and unexpected delays. Check existing stock before buying items such as goals, scoreboards, coolers and reusable tableware.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 80
Tableclothsqty 10
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Hockey goalsqty 4
Hockey ballsqty 30
Competition sticksqty 12
Training bibsqty 40
Conesqty 40
Marking linesqty 2
Field marking tapeqty 6
Whistlesqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 4
Clipboardsqty 8
Spare ball pitsqty 4

Equipment

Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable lampsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Small bowlsqty 20
Serving plattersqty 12

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Pitcherqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice packsqty 24

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Team table signsqty 8
Start and finish sign
Prize tablecloth

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Litter pickersqty 2
Cleaning spongesqty 6
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 80 bottles
- Sparkling water - 40 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Sports drink - 60 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Lemon slices - 6 trays
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Coffee cups - 150 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 200 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Bread rolls - 100 pieces
- Mini wraps - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast - 3 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Egg salad - 2 kilo
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Frankfurters - 120 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 120 pieces
- Fried onions - 4 bags
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 40 pieces
- Herb cheese - 2 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Chocolate bars - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Table runners - 10 pieces
- Prize cups - 3 pieces
- Gold medals - 15 pieces
- Silver medals - 15 pieces
- Bronze medals - 15 pieces
- Team prizes - 8 pieces
- Markers - 2 packs
- Paper tape - 6 rolls

Tips

Allow at least 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per additional hour. Add extra water for players, referees and volunteers working outdoors.
Prepare one complete match-control set per active pitch: clipboard, stopwatch, whistle, score sheet and a visible scoreboard. Keep one spare set ready in case equipment fails.
Buy or reserve at least 10–15% more hockey balls than the schedule requires. Balls are easily lost beyond the pitch boundary or damaged during a busy tournament.
Count reusable cups, plates and cutlery against your largest serving wave, not the total attendance. For 50 people eating at once, prepare at least 55 complete place settings and a washing or collection plan.
Test the sound system, microphones, extension cords, power strips and rechargeable lamps at least 24 hours before the tournament. Bring enough cable length to keep walkways clear and mark any cable crossings.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a field hockey tournament?: Plan for 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour and about 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Add extra water for players, referees and volunteers, especially in warm weather.
How many hockey balls should I buy for a tournament?: Start with at least 10–15% more balls than the number needed for active matches and warm-ups. Keep the spare balls together in a clearly marked ball pit so officials can replace lost balls quickly.
When should I prepare the tournament shopping?: Finalize quantities after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed, ideally 5–7 days before the event. Buy chilled items and ice as late as practical, usually within 24 hours of the first match.
What equipment should I have ready for each hockey pitch?: Prepare goals, balls, competition sticks where needed, cones, marking materials, a whistle, a stopwatch, a clipboard and a scoreboard for every active pitch. Keep one spare match-control set available for the entire tournament.

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