Sports day shopping list: what to buy and bring

A sports day needs more than balls and a few cones. You will need equipment for each activity, clear scorekeeping supplies, hydration, food service and practical items for registration and changing weather. This list covers the gear behind football, volleyball, korfball, relay races and other games, plus the tables, seating and shelter that keep the day organised. Check quantities against your number of teams and fields before you shop, because shared equipment is often the first thing to run short.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Registration desk
Party tentsqty 3

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 6
Volleyballqty 4
Korfballsqty 4
Relay batonsqty 8
Conesqty 40
Marker conesqty 60
Training bibsqty 60
Football goalsqty 4
Korfball postsqty 2
Volleyball netsqty 2
Skipping ropesqty 10
Hoopsqty 12
Frisbeesqty 8
Water relay cupsqty 20
Stopwatchesqty 6
Whistlesqty 8
Measuring tapeqty 2
Scoreboardsqty 6
Clipboardsqty 8
Pensqty 30
Competition bibsqty 60
Sports bagsqty 6
Pumpsqty 2
Ball netsqty 6
Start and finish ribbonqty 2
Trophiesqty 3
Medal ribbonsqty 60
Sports medalsqty 60
Portable basketball hoopqty 2
Tennis ballsqty 12
Badminton setsqty 4
Tennis racketsqty 8
Tiresqty 10
Matsqty 10
Tug of war ropeqty 2
Hand pump needlesqty 6
Athletic tapeqty 6
Spare shoelacesqty 10
Parasolsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Small bowlsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving spoonsqty 8
Coffee potsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Ice packsqty 24
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 6
Thermometerqty 2
Water jugsqty 8
Jerry cansqty 6

Equipment

Portable sound system
Microphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable power banksqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Decorations

Team flagsqty 6
Start sign
Program postersqty 10
Directional signsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broomqty 3
Canqty 2
Mopqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 4
First aid kit
Fever thermometer

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 80 bottles
- Sparkling water - 30 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Isotonic sports drink - 40 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Lemon slices - 6 lemons
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Mini wraps - 80 pieces
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Herb cream cheese - 12 tubs
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onion - 1 kilo
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Oranges - 40 pieces
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Nut mix - 3 kilo
- Rice - 6 kilos
- Pasta - 6 kilos
- Pasta sauce - 12 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Vegetarian meatballs - 4 kilo
- Chicken cubes - 5 kilos
- Grated cheese - 2 kilos
- Cucumber salad - 6 tubs
- Mixed Salad - 6 bags
- Sandwiches for the meal - 80 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Pedal bin bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Bandages - 3 boxes
- Sports tape - 6 rolls
- Cold compresses - 12 pieces
- Wound disinfectant - 3 bottles
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Sunscreen - 8 bottles

Tips

Plan one complete equipment set for each activity running at the same time. Count balls, nets, goals, posts and bibs against the number of fields rather than the total number of participants.
Allow at least one drink per person for the first hour, then around one drink every hour after that. Chill drinks before arrival and keep extra water available at the registration and refreshment areas.
Prepare scorekeeping supplies for every match running simultaneously: one clipboard, pen, stopwatch and scoreboard per active game prevents officials from sharing equipment.
Buy or bring more marking equipment than the field layout appears to require. Keep at least 10% extra cones, marker cones and tape aside for replacements and last-minute adjustments.
Do not leave shelter and serving furniture until the final shopping trip. Tables, chairs, buffet tables and party tents are bulky items that may need collection or delivery several days before the sports day.

Frequently asked questions

How many sports balls do I need for a sports day?: Start with one ball for every game running at the same time, plus at least two spare balls for the whole event. For practice and warm-up areas, add one extra ball per activity if participants will train before matches begin.
How much water and how many drinks should I buy for sports day?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Add at least 10% extra for hot weather, referees and participants who stay after their scheduled games.
How many bibs and cones are needed per team?: Prepare one clearly different set of bibs for each team playing at the same time, with one spare bib per team. For cones, allow roughly 20 per marked field and keep another 10% available for replacements.
When should I buy or reserve sports day equipment?: Reserve fields, goals, nets, posts, tables, chairs and party tents at least four weeks ahead when possible. Complete the final equipment check and shopping list three to five days before the event, then pack small supplies the day before.

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