What you need for a school tournament

A school tournament needs more than match balls and goals. You will also need equipment for registration, changing areas, scoring, catering, announcements and the finish. Use the quantities in your plan for teams, fields and participants, then add a small reserve for items that get lost, damaged or run out. Check power, printing and communication supplies several days before the tournament, not on the morning itself.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Registration tablesqty 3
Catering tablesqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 80
Beer tablesqty 6
Changing room benchesqty 12

Sports equipment

Match ballsqty 12
Spare ballsqty 6
Conesqty 60
Marker discsqty 40
Start vestsqty 120
Team bibsqty 80
Goalsqty 6
Netsqty 6
Whistlesqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 6
Competition bibsqty 30

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Tabletsqty 4
Printer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
PA system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Mobile phonesqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Platesqty 180
Bowlsqty 80
Forksqty 180
Knivesqty 120
Spoonsqty 120
Scissorsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Serving jugsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Ice packsqty 24

Decorations

Bib numbersqty 120
Team cardsqty 30
Program bookletsqty 150
Directional signsqty 12
Info boardsqty 6
Tableclothsqty 12
Start and finish ribbonqty 2
Buntingqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Broom and dustpanqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 8
First aid kitsqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 4 bags
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Coffee creamer - 8 liters
- Granulated sugar - 4 kilos
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Chocolate milk - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 12 liters
- Cola Zero - 12 liters
- Orange soda - 8 liters
- Iced tea - 8 liters
- Spa Blauw - 180 bottles
- Spa Rood - 48 bottles
- Sports drink - 120 bottles
- Syrup - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White bread - 12 loaves
- Wholemeal bread rolls - 100 pieces
- Kaiser rolls - 100 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Semi-aged cheese - 4 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Apple syrup - 3 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Apples - 15 kilo
- Bananas - 12 kilo
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Mandarins - 10 kilos
- Mini carrots - 6 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 180 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Liga cookies - 180 pieces
- Whole wheat cookies - 120 pieces
- Filled cookies - 60 pieces
- Mini muffins - 120 pieces
- Raisins - 4 kilos
- Nut mix - 2 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Large trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Scouring sponges - 8 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 200 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 5 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 4 boxes
- Antiseptic wound cleanser - 4 bottles
- Ice packs - 20 pieces

Tips

Allow at least one match ball per active field, plus spare balls ready at the registration or officials’ table. This prevents a delayed game every time a ball leaves the field.
Prepare one registration point with a table, chairs, laptop or tablets, and a printer if you still need to print schedules or confirmations on site. Test the printer and bring extension cords and power strips at least one day beforehand.
Give each team its own set of team bibs or competition bibs, with extra sizes where age groups differ. Count the sets against the confirmed teams rather than the original invitation list.
For catering, count reusable cups, plates, bowls and forks for the full participant and volunteer total, then add around 10% extra. Include enough tables and chairs for registration and food service so these areas do not compete for the same furniture.
Keep first-aid supplies, mobile phones and the PA system accessible throughout the day. Test the wireless microphones before teams arrive and charge every phone or other battery-powered device the evening before.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a school tournament?: Plan for match balls, spare balls, cones, marker discs, bibs, goals, nets, whistles, stopwatches and scoreboards. You will also need registration and catering tables, chairs, communication equipment and supplies for first aid and refreshments.
How many footballs do I need for a school tournament?: Start with one match ball per active field and keep at least one spare ball per field nearby. For four fields, that means at least eight balls; add more if matches run simultaneously or the venue is large.
How much catering equipment do I need for a school tournament?: Count one reusable cup, plate, bowl and fork per person using the catering area, including players, volunteers and officials. Add about 10% extra, so 110 sets for 100 people, and arrange the tables before the event day.
When should I check the school tournament shopping list?: Do the first full check at least one week before the tournament, when missing equipment can still be borrowed or ordered. Repeat the count two to three days before match day and pack the small items, cables and printing supplies together.

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