What to Buy for a Sports Day

A sports day needs more than balls and team vests. Plan supplies for registration, several short matches, breaks, lunch, changing weather and minor injuries. Use this shopping list to check that every activity has the right equipment and that participants can stay hydrated throughout the day. Buy or reserve bulky items early, especially tents, tables, chairs, nets and goals. Food, chilled drinks, fruit and first-aid supplies can usually be handled in the final week.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 70
Beer table setsqty 6
Registration desk
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 6
Basketballsqty 4
Volleyballqty 4
Handballsqty 4
Tennis ballsqty 24
Korfball postsqty 2
Mini goalsqty 4
Volleyball net
Vestsqty 70
Conesqty 40
Marker discsqty 40
Relay batonsqty 12
Skipping ropesqty 12
Hoopsqty 12
Pit bagsqty 20
Tug of war rope
Starting whistlesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 6
Measuring tapesqty 3
Scoreboardsqty 6
Chalk markersqty 6
Exercise matsqty 10
Towelsqty 20
Ice packsqty 30

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3
Rechargeable lampsqty 6
Coolersqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Storage binsqty 12
Ice cube traysqty 4

Decorations

Team flagsqty 8
Start and finish ribbonqty 2
Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 6
Prize tablecloth
Tableclothsqty 8

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Litter pickersqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 80 bottles
- Sparkling water - 30 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 40 pieces
- Wholemeal rolls - 40 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 8 pieces
- Sliced cheese - 3 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 4 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 1 bottle
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Oranges - 40 pieces
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Granola bars - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Pretzels - 4 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Allergy-free cookies - 3 packs
- Yogurt - 60 cups
- Vegan yogurt - 12 cups
- Muesli - 3 kilogram
- Herb cheese - 8 tubs
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Salted peanuts - 2 kilogram
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Tomato soup - 8 liters
- Soup sticks - 6 packs
- Cup-a-soup - 2 boxes
- Herbs - 4 pots
- Pepper - 1 grinder
- Salt - 1 pack
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Sandwich bags - 2 boxes
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Organic waste bags - 20 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Cooling gel - 6 tubes
- Sunscreen - 8 bottles
- Mosquito spray - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per person for every additional hour. Add extra water for hot weather and active games.
Allow at least 1 ball for each team playing at the same time, plus 2 spare balls for the whole event. Check that nets, goals and posts match the sports on your schedule.
Prepare 1 clearly labelled lunch package per participant, including dietary alternatives collected during registration. Buy fruit and snacks in portions that can be handed out without shared bowls.
Set aside 1 first-aid kit, several ice packs and enough towels before shopping day. These are easy to overlook when the focus is on competition equipment.
Reserve tents, tables and chairs at least 2 weeks ahead if rain or shade is a concern. Keep waste bins, scoreboards, stopwatches and printed scorecards together at the registration desk.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a sports day?: Plan at least 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1 drink per person for each following hour. Increase the amount in warm weather and provide extra water for longer outdoor sessions.
How many balls do I need for a sports day?: Have at least 1 ball per team playing at the same time, with 2 spare balls for the full event. For a mixed programme, buy or reserve one suitable ball for every listed sport.
When should I reserve sports day equipment?: Reserve tents, tables, chairs, nets, goals and posts at least 2 weeks before the event. Confirm the reservation again during the final week, together with the field and bad-weather plan.
What food should I buy for a sports day?: Prepare 1 lunch package per participant, plus fruit and snacks for the breaks. Finalise dietary requirements 7–10 days beforehand so suitable alternatives are included in the shopping.

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