Football tournament shopping list

A football tournament needs more than balls and goals. You also need enough bibs, cones, scorekeeping equipment and serving supplies to keep several teams moving without delays. Plan for reserve equipment, especially footballs, pump needles and shoelaces, because small failures can stop a match. This list covers the items to buy or bring, while the schedule, team assignments and printed match information keep the day organised.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 6
Tablecloth racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 12
Reserve footballsqty 4
Conesqty 40
Marker discsqty 30
Mini goalsqty 4
Competition targetsqty 4
Goal netsqty 4
Team bibsqty 80
Captain's armbandsqty 8
Whistlesqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 4
Referee cardsqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 4
Pump with needlesqty 2
Goal Netsqty 4
Training laddersqty 2
Spare shoelacesqty 12
First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Athletic tapeqty 8
Elastic bandagesqty 8
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Glovesqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving traysqty 12
Small bowlsqty 12
Serving jugsqty 6
Coffee thermosesqty 4

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Drink dispensersqty 4
Thermos bottlesqty 4
Trophiesqty 3
Medal ribbonsqty 80
Medal holdersqty 80
Vouchersqty 8
Groceries
- Still water - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 60 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sports drink - 80 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 cans
- Coffee beans - 3 kilograms
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 100 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Mandarins - 8 kilograms
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Bread rolls - 80 pieces
- Mini wraps - 80 pieces
- Chicken breast slices - 4 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 4 kilograms
- Young cheese - 5 kilogram
- Hummus - 3 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Herb butter - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 8 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 5 kilograms
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salt sticks - 8 bags
- Cheese cubes - 4 kilograms
- Olives - 3 jars
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilogram
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian wraps - 40 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 2 kilogram
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable snack trays - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 8 packs
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Kitchen towels - 24 pieces
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber cleaning gloves - 12 pairs
- Food storage containers - 20 pieces
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Ice cubes - 30 kilograms

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 6
Frying pansqty 2
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Gas burnersqty 2
Cutting board matsqty 4

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Laptopsqty 2
Printers
Charging cablesqty 8
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Megaphone

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Light cablesqty 3
Flashlightsqty 6

Decorations

Tournament flagsqty 12
Balloonsqty 100
Ribbonsqty 8
Prize tablecloth
Photo backdrop

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Trash grabbersqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Hand broomsqty 4
Cleaning cartsqty 2
Sanitizer stationsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Tips

Bring at least one reserve football for every four pitches in use, and check all balls the day before. Pack a pump with several needles so pressure can be corrected between matches.
Count team bibs by the largest number of players on the field at one time, then add 10% spare bibs. Keep captain’s armbands and referee cards in a separate match-day bag.
Prepare one scoreboard, stopwatch and whistle for each active pitch, plus one spare stopwatch and whistle. Test the stopwatches before printing the final match schedule.
Allow two reusable cups per participant if drinks are served throughout the tournament, and add 10% extra for loss or unexpected guests. Prepare separate quantities of coffee cups, plates and cutlery for catering.
Collect cones, marker discs, mini goals and goal nets at least one day before the tournament. Set aside 30 minutes before the first match to check nets, targets and training ladders for missing or damaged parts.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a football tournament?: Bring footballs, reserve footballs, cones, marker discs, goals, goal nets, team bibs, captain’s armbands, whistles, stopwatches, referee cards, scoreboards and a pump. Add spare shoelaces and training ladders if teams will warm up on site.
How many footballs do I need for a tournament?: Plan for at least one match ball per active pitch and keep one reserve ball for every four pitches. Check the balls 24 hours before the tournament and inflate them before teams arrive.
How many cups and plates do I need for a football tournament?: Allow two reusable cups per participant when drinks are served during the day, plus 10% spare. For food, provide one plate and one cutlery set per person, with an additional 10% if attendance is uncertain.
When should I buy or collect football tournament supplies?: Collect equipment and serving supplies at least one day before the tournament. Do the final count and condition check 2–3 hours before the first match, leaving time to replace missing items.

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