What to Buy for a Football Tournament

A football tournament needs more than balls and goals. You will need enough pitch equipment for each match, a clear setup for the competition desk, first-aid supplies, team markers and practical items for players and officials. Plan refreshments, shade and sound equipment before match day, because these are easy to arrange too late. This shopping list helps you check the essentials, from spare ball needles to medals and extension leads.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 12
Reserve footballsqty 4
Conesqty 40
Marker discsqty 30
Line marking paintqty 4
Whistlesqty 8
Referee vestsqty 8
Team bibsqty 80
Captain's armbandsqty 8
Goal netsqty 4
Mini goalsqty 4
Pump with needlesqty 2
Spare ball needlesqty 10
First aid kitqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Athletic tapeqty 8
Disposable glovesqty 2
Trophiesqty 3
Medal ribbonsqty 80

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Race office
Changing room benchesqty 12
Clothes racksqty 4

Equipment

Sound system
Microphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable walkie-talkiesqty 6
Power banksqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Speaker standsqty 2

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Ice packsqty 24

Decorations

Team flagsqty 8
Start and finish sign
Stage sign
Tableclothsqty 8

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Broom setsqty 3
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Hand broomsqty 4
Laundry basketsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 48 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Wholemeal rolls - 120 pieces
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 12 loaves
- Chicken breast slices - 4 kilograms
- Cheese slices - 4 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Egg salad - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Bell peppers - 24 pieces
- Red onions - 12 pieces
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salsa - 8 jars
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 100 pieces
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Oranges - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 10 kilograms
- Watermelons - 6 pieces
- Yogurt - 40 cups
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 2 kilogram
- Vegan sandwiches - 24 pieces
- Halal chicken breast - 2 kilogram
- Vegetarian cheese - 1 kilogram
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper bags - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- 60 liter trash bags - 100 pieces
- Trash bags 120 liters - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfecting wipes - 8 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Cleaning gloves - 12 pairs
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Labels - 200 pieces
- Waterproof markers - 20 pieces
- Printer paper - 2 packs
- Tape - 6 rolls
- Cable ties - 200 pieces
- Duct tape - 6 rolls
- Balloons - 100 pieces
- Confetti - 4 bags
- Consolation prizes - 8 pieces
- Photo paper - 2 packs
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one match ball plus two spare footballs for the tournament, and bring a pump with spare needles so a flat ball does not delay a fixture.
Prepare one set of team bibs for every team, plus captain’s armbands and referee vests. Pack them by team before arrival so distribution takes minutes, not an entire break.
Keep the first-aid kit, ice packs, sports tape and disposable gloves at the competition desk. Put these supplies where a referee or team captain can reach them immediately.
Allow one table for the match desk and extra tables for refreshments or registration. If the desk uses a microphone or sound system, pack extension cables and power strips with the equipment.
Buy trophies and medal ribbons before the final week, then count them against the confirmed participants. Keep a few spare ribbons if medals will be handed out individually after the final.

Frequently asked questions

How many footballs do I need for a tournament?: Plan for at least one match ball per active pitch, plus two spare footballs for the whole tournament. Bring a pump and at least four spare ball needles so inflation problems do not stop play.
What first-aid supplies should I bring to a football tournament?: Bring an EHBO or first-aid kit, ice packs, sports tape and disposable gloves. Keep them at the match desk throughout the event, rather than in a vehicle or locked storage area.
When should I buy medals and trophies for a football tournament?: Buy them at least 7 days before the tournament, once the participant list is final. This gives you time to check quantities and replace missing or damaged items.
How many team bibs and referee vests are needed?: Prepare one complete set of team bibs for every participating team and enough referee vests for the officials scheduled at the same time. Sort them into labelled bags at least 1 day before the tournament.

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.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

Organize for free and invite your contacts!