Sports Day Shopping List

A sports day needs more than balls and a schedule. You will need clearly marked teams, enough equipment for each activity, places to sit, shade, refreshments and a simple way to keep matches on time. Use this list to check what must be bought, packed or borrowed before you leave for the venue. Sort equipment by activity, chill drinks early and keep a separate box for whistles, stopwatches, cones and printed instructions.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 100
Buffet tablesqty 4
Beer tablesqty 6
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 8
Basketballsqty 6
Volleyballqty 4
Handballsqty 6
Tennis ballsqty 30
Tennis racketsqty 12
Hockey sticksqty 16
Floorball ballsqty 30
Relay batonsqty 12
Skipping ropesqty 12
Hoopsqty 12
Conesqty 40
Marker discsqty 40
Red vestsqty 12
Blue vestsqty 12
Yellow vestsqty 12
Green vestsqty 12
Competition whistlesqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 6
Measuring tapeqty 2
Jump matsqty 4
Balance beamsqty 2
Mini goalsqty 4
Volleyball net
Basketball hoop standqty 2
Scoreboardsqty 6
Bib numbersqty 100
Medal ribbonsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Ice packsqty 24

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Warning tapeqty 2
Flashlightsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Team flagsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 6
Markersqty 12
Duct tapeqty 6

Administration

Registration formsqty 120
Score sheetsqty 80
Pensqty 30
Clipboardsqty 12
Prizesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Wholegrain rolls - 80 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Margarine - 2 tubs
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Chicken breast - 8 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Cucumbers - 5 kilos
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Potato salad - 8 kilos
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Green salad - 6 kilos
- Rice - 5 kilo
- Satay sauce - 4 kilo
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Herb mix - 4 sachets
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 100 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Oranges - 60 pieces
- Watermelons - 4 pieces
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Still Water - 48 bottles
- Sports drink - 60 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Coffee - 3 kilos
- Tea - 200 bags
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Table spices - 8 sets
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand gel - 8 bottles

Tips

Plan at least one ball or usable piece of core equipment per active game, plus a spare where possible. For a multi-sport day, label equipment by activity so footballs, basketballs, volleyballs and hockey gear do not get mixed together.
Prepare one team vest for every participant who needs a clear team colour, then add 2–4 spare vests for late registrations, damaged items or changes in team numbers.
Allow seating for every participant during breaks, and provide at least one table for refreshments and another for registration or equipment. Set up party tents before the forecast becomes uncertain, not when rain starts.
Pack at least one competition whistle and one stopwatch for each field or activity running at the same time. Keep the measuring tape, cones, marker discs and printed run sheet together in a referee or organiser bag.
Buy drinks and snacks only after checking registrations and dietary requirements. Chill drinks several hours before the start, and keep separate labelled options available for allergies or special diets.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a sports day?: For this plan, check the sports equipment list against the activities you are running: balls, rackets, sticks, relay batons, skipping ropes, hoops, cones and marker discs may all be needed. Prepare the equipment at least one day before the event and test anything that needs inflating or assembling.
How many team vests do I need for a sports day?: Prepare one vest per participant assigned to a colour, with 2–4 spare vests for changes or damaged items. Sort the red, blue, yellow and green vests into separate piles before setup so teams can collect them quickly.
How many tables and chairs do I need for a sports day?: Provide one seat per person who will sit during breaks, unless the venue already has suitable seating. Plan at least two tables: one for drinks and snacks and one for registration, schedules or equipment; add buffet or beer tables if your layout needs extra serving space.
When should I buy and prepare sports day supplies?: Buy non-perishable supplies and check all sports equipment at least 3–7 days before the event. Chill drinks on the day, pack equipment before leaving, and set up tents, tables and waste bins before participants arrive.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.