What to buy for a field hockey tournament

A field hockey tournament needs more than goals, balls and team bibs. You also need a reliable setup for match control, player comfort, refreshments and weather changes. Use this shopping list to check the items that are easy to overlook, such as spare balls, whistles, extension cords, reusable cups and injury cooling bags. Buy or collect everything at least two days before the tournament, then chill drinks and pack team materials on the day before.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Hockey goalsqty 4
Hockey ballsqty 30
Spare hockey ballsqty 10
Conesqty 40
Marker discsqty 30
Team bibsqty 40
Whistlesqty 8
Scoreboard setsqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 4
Spare hockey sticksqty 8
Goalkeeper masksqty 4
Goalkeeper glovesqty 4
Shin guardsqty 8
Cooling bags for injuriesqty 4
Spare shoelacesqty 10

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
High tablesqty 4
Changing room benchesqty 8
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable lampsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving bowlsqty 10
Pouring bottlesqty 8

Catering

Drink cratesqty 8
Snack plattersqty 12
Ice packsqty 24
Trophiesqty 3
Medal ribbonsqty 24
Participant certificatesqty 100

Decorations

Team flagsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Start and finish sign
Race schedule holdersqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Spongesqty 12
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Laundry basketsqty 4
Towelsqty 20
Toilet brushesqty 4
Pedal binsqty 4

Groceries

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 48 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sports drink lemon - 48 bottles
- Sports drink red - 48 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Mandarins - 6 kilos
- Yogurt - 6 kilos
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salt sticks - 8 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Mini muffins - 100 pieces
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Disposable latex gloves - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable snack trays - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Detergent - 2 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 40 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 4 boxes
- Sports tape - 8 rolls
- Elastic bandages - 8 pieces
- Disposable ice bags - 20 pieces
- Drinking straws - 150 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Bottle openers - 4 pcs

Tips

Prepare at least two match balls per active pitch, plus spare hockey balls for misplaced or damaged balls. Keep them in one clearly marked container beside the competition desk.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Bring coolers or cooling bags and chill the drinks the day before.
Pack one whistle and one stopwatch for every match official, with at least two spare whistles and one spare stopwatch at the central table. Batteries and working backups are easy to miss.
Allow one reusable cup per participant, referee and volunteer, plus about 10% extra. Place waste bins beside the drinks table and near the changing rooms rather than relying on one bin.
Test every extension cord, power strip, coffee machine, kettle, speaker and microphone before setup. Take rechargeable lamps if matches, registration or packing may continue after daylight fades.

Frequently asked questions

How many hockey balls do I need for a tournament?: Allow at least two match balls per active pitch and keep 10–20% extra as spare hockey balls. For four pitches, that means eight balls in play plus one or two spare balls per pitch.
How many drinks should I buy for a field hockey tournament?: Budget two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for every hour after that. Add roughly 10% extra for referees, volunteers and unexpected demand.
When should I buy tournament supplies?: Buy non-perishable supplies and check sports equipment at least one week before the tournament. Buy or collect chilled drinks and fresh refreshments one to two days beforehand, then chill the drinks the day before.
What equipment backups are easy to forget?: Pack spare hockey balls, spare hockey sticks, spare shoelaces, extra team bibs, backup whistles and a second stopwatch. Check these items at least two days before the event so there is time to replace missing equipment.

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.