What to Buy for a Football Tournament

A football tournament needs more than balls and goals. You also need enough team water, spare equipment, match paperwork, serving supplies, shade, and prizes ready before the first kick-off. This shopping list covers the items used to set up the fields, run matches, check in teams, and keep players and spectators comfortable. Adjust quantities to your number of teams, matches, and expected guests, then buy or borrow anything with a lead time of at least one week.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 12
Spare ballsqty 4
Conesqty 40
Marker discsqty 30
Movable goalsqty 4
Goal netsqty 4
Vestsqty 40
Captain's armbandsqty 8
Whistlesqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 4
Pumpqty 2
Pump needlesqty 12
Spare shoelacesqty 8
Cool bagsqty 8
Team water bottlesqty 80
Scoreboardsqty 4
Competition formsqty 50
Clipboardsqty 6
Pensqty 30
Trophiesqty 3
Medalsqty 30
First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Athletic tapeqty 8
Safety pinsqty 100

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 4
Changing room benchesqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Small bowlsqty 20

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Serving traysqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Pliersqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Stoolsqty 6
Tableware cratesqty 6

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Directional signsqty 8
Team table numbersqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Hand broomsqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Paper towel dispensersqty 6
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Trash grabbersqty 4
Laundry basketsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 12 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Sandwiches - 120 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 40 pieces
- Pistolets - 40 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Ham - 4 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salsa dip - 6 jars
- Snack nuts - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles

Tips

Plan at least one match ball per active field, plus one spare ball for every two fields. Add a pump and several spare pump needles; flat balls are easy to overlook until teams are waiting.
Provide one water bottle per player for each team, with extra drinking water available at the team area. Fill and chill the bottles before check-in rather than relying on players to find water during matches.
Count serving supplies for your full attendance, not just the players. Reusable cups, plates, cutlery, and coffee cups should cover the largest meal or drinks round, with a 10% reserve for replacements.
Prepare one set of match paperwork per fixture, plus at least 10% extra forms. Keep scoreboards, clipboards, pens, stopwatches, and whistles together at the officials’ table so they are not scattered around the fields.
Order trophies and medals no later than two weeks before the tournament. Set them out in event order on the day, and check that every award category and team is covered before teams arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How many footballs do I need for a tournament?: Use at least one match ball per active field and keep one spare ball for every two fields. For four fields, that means four match balls and two spare balls, plus a pump and spare needles.
How much water should I buy for a football tournament?: Plan at least 1.5 litres of drinking water per player for a half-day tournament, in addition to team water bottles. Add 10% extra for referees, volunteers, spectators, and warm weather.
How many cups, plates, and cutlery sets do I need?: Count one set per expected meal or serving, then add 10% extra. For 80 guests, prepare at least 88 cups, plates, and cutlery sets so replacements do not run out.
When should I order football tournament medals and trophies?: Order them at least two weeks before the event, and preferably earlier if names or custom details are required. Check the delivery and quantities one week before match day.

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