What to buy for a football tournament

A football tournament needs more than footballs and goals. You also need enough match equipment for several games, clear team identification, refreshments, shade, seating and a way to record scores. This shopping list covers the items that are easy to overlook, such as spare ball needles, extension leads, reusable cups and power banks. Check quantities against your number of teams and fields, then confirm deliveries and reservations at least one week before the tournament.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 6
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 12
Reserve footballsqty 4
Conesqty 60
Marker conesqty 80
Portable goalsqty 4
Goal netsqty 4
Field markingqty 4
Whistlesqty 8
Referee watchesqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 4
Team bibsqty 80
Captain's armbandsqty 8
Pumpsqty 3
Ball needlesqty 12
Spare shoelacesqty 12
Training laddersqty 2
Cooling Towelsqty 20
Sports bagsqty 8

Equipment

Megaphonesqty 2
Stopwatchesqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Reusable platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Pliersqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Frying pansqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Team name signsqty 8
Route signsqty 6
Bib numbersqty 80
Prize tablecloth

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 24

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemon slices - 4 lemons
- Butter - 2 packs
- Sausage rolls - 100 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Wholegrain bread rolls - 50 pieces
- Cheese slices - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Egg salad - 8 tubs
- Halal chicken breast slices - 2 kilo
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilo
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Oranges - 50 pieces
- Yogurt - 6 liter
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Granola bars - 50 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Pretzels - 4 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Bitterballen - 300 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 100 pieces
- Mini frikandels - 200 pieces
- Vegetarian mini frikandellen - 100 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Oil - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Disinfectant - 2 bottles
- Sterile gauze pads - 4 boxes
- Elastic bandages - 8 pieces
- Cool bags - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one match ball per active field, plus one spare ball for every two fields. Check every ball and pack a pump and several spare ball needles before match day.
Give each team a complete set of team bibs and keep extra bibs available for late changes or damaged items. Prepare captain’s armbands before teams are confirmed.
For outdoor matches, arrange one cooler per serving point and fill them shortly before the first game. Pack reusable cups, water and refreshments according to the number of players, officials and volunteers.
Test scoreboards, stopwatches and megaphones before the tournament starts. Charge power banks the night before and bring extension leads and power strips only after checking where power is available.
Do not leave field setup until the first teams arrive. Bring cones, marker discs, field marking, portable goals and nets, and check that every field can be marked and inspected before kickoff.

Frequently asked questions

How many footballs do I need for a tournament?: Use at least one match ball for each field in use and add one spare ball for every two fields. For four fields, that means four match balls plus two spare balls.
What should I buy for football tournament refreshments?: Plan drinks for players, referees and volunteers, then keep them in coolers that can be refilled between matches. Buy reusable cups and prepare the coolers shortly before the first kickoff, rather than several hours in advance.
How many team bibs are needed for a football tournament?: Prepare one full set of bibs for every team that may need to be identified, plus one extra set for changes or damage. Sort each team’s bibs before the team assignments are sent out.
When should I check the football tournament equipment?: Complete the equipment check at least one day before the tournament. Test the pump, ball needles, goals, nets, scoreboards, stopwatches, megaphone and power banks, and deal with missing items before the event day.

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