What you need for a football tournament

A football tournament needs more than balls and goals. You will also need clear team markers, referee equipment, a reliable match-day setup and enough drinks and serving supplies for players, officials and spectators. Use the prepared list below as your complete shopping checklist. Buy prizes and non-perishable items early, then check equipment and chill drinks shortly before the tournament so missing essentials can still be replaced.

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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
Registration desk
Competition table

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 12
Youth goalsqty 4
Conesqty 40
Field marker discsqty 40
Team bibsqty 64
Captain's armbandsqty 8
Referee whistlesqty 6
Referee cardsqty 6
Pumpsqty 2
Spare ball netsqty 2
First aid kit
Ice packsqty 8
Rain coversqty 2

Equipment

Wireless microphone
Portable speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Stopwatchqty 4
Megaphone
Kettleqty 2
Light Stripsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable cutleryqty 80

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 3
Serving jugsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 2
Kitchen knivesqty 2
Serving tongsqty 4

Decorations

Team flagsqty 8
Directional signsqty 6
Scoreboardqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Litter pickersqty 2
Broomqty 2
Trash binqty 2
Mop set

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Coffee cups - 100 pieces
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Lemon tea bags - 1 box
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Butter - 2 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 1 bottle
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Pretzels - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Ice lollies - 100 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning sponges - 2 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Sports tape - 4 rolls
- Wound gauze pads - 2 boxes
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs
- Fever ointment - 1 tube
- Compression stockings - 1 pair

Tips

Plan at least one football for every match in progress, plus two spare balls for punctures, lost balls or damaged equipment. Check pumps and reserve ball nets before match day, not when teams are waiting to start.
Prepare one team bib colour per team and keep spare bibs available for late registrations or damaged clothing. Set aside at least one captain’s armband for each team and extras if teams may change.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for every additional hour. Chill the first supply in cool boxes and keep a separate reserve so the serving table does not run empty.
Pack one referee whistle, a set of referee cards and a stopwatch for each active referee, with one complete spare set at the match table. Test the stopwatch and sound equipment before the first game.
Buy or confirm prizes at least one week before the tournament and keep them together at the registration or match table. Count them against the final number of teams after registration closes, rather than guessing from early sign-ups.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a football tournament?: You need footballs, goals, cones, field markers, team bibs, captain’s armbands, referee whistles and cards, pumps, and spare ball nets. Also prepare a stopwatch, match table supplies and basic sound equipment if announcements are planned.
How many footballs do I need for a tournament?: Have at least one match ball for every game played at the same time, plus two spare balls. For example, four simultaneous matches require at least six checked footballs.
How many drinks should I buy for a football tournament?: Count two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for each later hour. Include players, referees, volunteers and expected spectators, then keep the drinks chilled in enough cool boxes.
When should I buy supplies for a football tournament?: Buy prizes, serving items and non-perishable equipment at least one week ahead. Buy fresh food and ice one day before, and fill the cool boxes shortly before teams arrive.

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