What to buy for a polo tournament

A polo tournament needs more than goals, balls, and mallets. You also need practical supplies for horses, players, officials, spectators, registration, catering, and field management. This shopping list helps you check the items that are easy to overlook, from spare helmets and first aid kits to water troughs, hay nets, scoreboards, and extension cords. Plan quantities around the number of teams, matches, horses, volunteers, and spectators expected on the day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
High tablesqty 8
Buffet tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 120
Registration tablesqty 2
Waste binsqty 10
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Polo goal setsqty 2
Polo ballsqty 36
Polo malletsqty 24
Field marking tapeqty 8
Line chalkqty 4
Spare hoopsqty 4
Horse water troughsqty 8
Hay netsqty 8
Stable haltersqty 12
Conesqty 24
Measuring tapesqty 2
Referee whistlesqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 2
Spare helmetsqty 8
Safety vestsqty 8
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6

Equipment

PA system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Card machinesqty 2
Power banksqty 4
Handheld megaphone

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 100
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Food warmersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 8
Ice packsqty 24

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Team flagsqty 8
Bib numbersqty 40
Prizes and trophiesqty 4
Medal ribbonsqty 24
Table runnersqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lanternsqty 12

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 96 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Limes - 2 kilos
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini bread rolls - 120 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Egg - 60 pieces
- Baby potatoes - 12 kilos
- Chicken skewers - 8 kilo
- Vegetarian skewers - 5 kilo
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Beef burgers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 25 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 60 pieces
- Sausages - 60 pieces
- Mixed salad - 8 kilos
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Bell peppers - 5 kilos
- Red onions - 3 kilos
- Corn - 24 cans
- Potato salad - 8 kilos
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Fruit salad - 8 kilo
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Olives - 3 kg
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Mayonnaise-free dressing - 2 bottles
- Vanilla sugar - 2 sachets
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Gluten-free snacks - 3 packs
- Vegan burgers - 10 pieces
- Allergen stickers - 2 sheets
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs

Tips

Allow at least one spare helmet and one first aid kit at each main playing or stable area, then check their contents before event day.
Plan one horse water trough and one hay net for every area where horses will wait, and arrange extra water capacity for warm weather.
Bring spare polo balls, hoops, mallets, and field-marking supplies rather than relying on exactly the number needed for play.
Count your power needs before buying or loading equipment: PA systems, wireless microphones, coolers, and thermos flasks may require several extension cords and power strips.
Prepare separate supplies for registration, spectators, and officials, including tables, chairs, scoreboards, safety vests, whistles, signage materials, and a working flashlight for each key area.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a polo tournament?: At minimum, plan polo goal sets, balls, mallets, field-marking tape or line chalk, spare hoops, measuring tapes, cones, scoreboards, and referee whistles. Add spare helmets, safety vests, and first aid kits before the tournament.
How much water and hay do polo horses need at a tournament?: Provide at least one water trough and one hay net for each horse-waiting area, with enough capacity for every horse between matches. Check the expected horse count and weather forecast at least 48 hours before shopping.
What should I buy for polo tournament spectators?: For spectators, arrange party tents, high tables, folding chairs, waste bins, clothes racks, parking signs, and a PA system if announcements are needed. Confirm the expected attendance before deciding how many tables, chairs, and bins to provide.
When should I buy supplies for a polo tournament?: Buy or reserve specialist equipment at least 2 to 4 weeks before the tournament, especially goal sets, scoreboards, tents, and sound equipment. Do the final consumables shop 1 to 2 days before the event and check the full inventory the day before.

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