What to Buy for a Men’s Competition

A men’s competition needs more than the main sporting equipment. You also need a reliable setup for officials, competitors, volunteers, catering, scoring, and crowd control. Use the listed equipment as your core checklist, then buy consumables and practical backup items early. Plan drinks, coffee supplies, printed materials, batteries, cable protection, and first-aid replacements before the final course inspection, so missing items do not become an event-day problem.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 60
Jury tablesqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6
Changing room screensqty 4

Sports equipment

Competition carriagesqty 2
Course conesqty 24
Match ballsqty 24
Course lettersqty 20
Obstacle blocksqty 24
Obstacle fencesqty 12
Bollardsqty 80
Barrier tapeqty 12
Bib numbersqty 40
Dressage lettersqty 20
Measuring tapesqty 3
Stopwatchesqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 3
Spare parts

Equipment

PA system
Microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Cable matsqty 8
Laptopqty 2
Printersqty 2
Power banksqty 6

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 60
Drinking glassesqty 80
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 6

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 20
Stage ribbonsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea assortment - 6 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee creamer - 4 packs
- Cocoa powder - 1 kilo
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 96 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Mini raisin buns - 80 pieces
- Mini croissants - 80 pieces
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 8 loaves
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 10 tubs
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Granola bars - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Peanut mix - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Sirup waffles - 6 packs
- Sugar sachets - 500 pieces
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- Tissues - 12 packs
- Bandage strips - 2 boxes

Tips

Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1–2 drinks per person for each additional hour. Chill the first batch before guests arrive and keep extra stock available for officials and volunteers.
Buy coffee cups for the expected number of coffee servings plus at least 20% extra. Cups are easy to overlook when catering is ordered separately, especially for jury members and early-arriving volunteers.
Prepare backup supplies for scoring and registration: print the starting lists and score sheets in advance, and keep spare paper and printer supplies ready for last-minute participant changes.
Count power needs before buying or collecting equipment. A laptop, printer, PA system, microphones, speakers, and charging points may require several extension cords and power strips; protect cables across walkways with cable mats.
Keep spare parts and replacement consumables ready for course equipment, bib numbers, barrier tape, and signage. Check these items during the final course inspection rather than waiting until competitors are on site.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a men's competition?: Plan on 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1–2 drinks per person for every hour after that. Add extra drinks for officials, volunteers, and drivers who stay throughout the competition.
How much coffee service should I buy for the competition?: Estimate one coffee serving per guest, official, and volunteer during the main service period, then add 20% extra cups. Buy or bring more if the event lasts longer than four hours or starts early in the morning.
When should I buy the competition supplies?: Order prizes, ribbons, printed materials, and specialist sports equipment at least 2–3 weeks before the competition. Buy chilled drinks and other short-life catering items within the final 1–2 days.
What backup equipment should I bring on competition day?: Bring spare parts, extra bib numbers, barrier tape, printer paper, power banks, and at least one backup timing or scoring option. Check all technical equipment and cables the day before, then test them again during setup.

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