Football tournament shopping list

A football tournament needs more than balls and goals. Plan for players arriving at different times, referees working through several matches, changing rooms, refreshments and paperwork at the registration table. This shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook, from spare pumps and ball needles to cups, coolers, power banks and first-aid supplies. Use the number of teams and expected attendees to scale food, drinks and tableware before you go shopping.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Folding tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 4
Changing room benchesqty 12

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 12
Reserve footballsqty 4
Conesqty 80
Marker conesqty 80
Goalsqty 4
Goal netsqty 4
Field flagsqty 16
Team bibsqty 80
Ball bagsqty 4
Pumpsqty 3
Needle setsqty 3
Whistlesqty 10
Referee watchesqty 6
Captain's armbandsqty 8
Coolersqty 6
First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Blanketsqty 4

Equipment

Music speaker
Wireless microphone
Megaphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Phone chargersqty 4

Tableware

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

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 6
Ice packsqty 24
Aluminum foilqty 3
Cling filmqty 2

Decorations

Team name signsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Competition schedule board
Scoreboardqty 4
Start and finish bannerqty 2
Balloonsqty 100
Prize tablecloth

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Waste binsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 4

Catering

Trophiesqty 3
Medal ribbonsqty 24
Medalsqty 24
Trophy
Gift vouchersqty 3
Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Sports drink - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- White rolls - 80 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Currant buns - 40 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Chocolate spread - 3 jars
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Oranges - 6 kilos
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Muesli - 3 kilos
- Chicken Burgers - 100 pieces
- Veggie burgers - 40 pieces
- Burger buns - 150 pieces
- Fries - 25 kilos
- Fry sauce - 4 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Ketchup sachets - 200 pieces
- Mayonnaise sachets - 200 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand gel - 6 bottles
- Cleaning sponges - 12 pieces
- Kitchen gloves - 6 pairs
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Food storage containers - 20 pieces
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Paper straws - 200 pieces

Tips

Keep at least one reserve football for every two pitches, and pack a pump plus several spare needles. A flat ball can otherwise delay the next match by 5–10 minutes.
For drinks, allow 2–3 servings per person for the first hour, then about 1 serving per person per hour. Chill them in coolers before teams arrive and keep water available throughout the tournament.
Prepare one registration pack per team: a team list, captain’s armband, bibs if needed, and printed match information. Bring at least 10% extra cups, plates and cutlery so late additions do not leave you short.
Pack power supplies before event day: extension cords, power strips, phone chargers and power banks. Test the speaker, microphone or megaphone at least 24 hours before the first match.
Put route signs, field flags, cones and marker cones together in clearly labelled bags. Load these separately from catering supplies so the pitch setup can start immediately when you arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a football tournament?: Plan footballs, reserve balls, goals and nets, cones, field flags, team bibs, whistles, referee watches and captain’s armbands. You will also need drinks, coolers, reusable cups, catering supplies, printed score sheets and basic first-aid supplies.
How many drinks do I need for a football tournament?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about 1 drink per person per hour. Add extra water for warm weather and keep a reserve of at least 10% for late arrivals, referees and volunteers.
How much disposable or reusable tableware should I bring?: Bring one cup, plate and cutlery set per planned serving, plus at least 10% extra. For a tournament with 100 people, that means at least 110 cups, 110 plates and 110 cutlery sets if everyone is expected to eat and drink once.
When should I prepare the football tournament shopping?: Check the complete shopping list 3–5 days before the tournament and buy non-perishable items then. Buy or collect chilled drinks and fresh catering items on the day before, and pack the equipment and paperwork the evening before.

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