Sports Day Shopping List

A sports day needs more than balls and a whistle. You will need equipment for each chosen activity, clear scoring supplies, team markers, refreshments and a practical setup for registration and breaks. Check quantities against your participant list and the number of teams before shopping. Arrange bulky items, tents and extra equipment early, because these are easy to overlook and harder to replace at the last minute.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 70
Registration desk
Score table
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 6
Korfballsqty 4
Basketballsqty 4
Volleyballqty 3
Tennis ballsqty 30
Conesqty 40
Vestsqty 60
Relay batonsqty 12
Skipping ropesqty 12
Hoopsqty 12
Tug of war rope
Sports netsqty 2
Goal postsqty 4
Korfball postsqty 2
Basketball hoop
Whistlesqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 4
Measuring tape
Pumpqty 2
Spare ballsqty 4
Start and finish ribbonqty 2
Water cups for playersqty 100

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable cutleryqty 80
Serving jugsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving tongsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Bottle openersqty 3

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Rechargeable work lightsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Team flagsqty 12
Wayfinding signsqty 8
Markersqty 12
Tapeqty 6
Cable tiesqty 100
Prizesqty 12
Medalsqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
First aid bag

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White buns - 80 pieces
- Wholegrain rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Oranges - 40 pieces
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salty pretzels - 4 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Yogurt dressing - 2 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Sports drink - 36 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- 60 liter trash bags - 3 rolls
- 120-liter trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Bread bags - 2 packs
- Plastic containers - 50 pieces
- Toothpicks - 1 pack
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 2 packs
- Elastic bandages - 4 pieces
- Cold packs - 6 pcs
- Wound disinfectant - 2 bottles
- Disposable ice packs - 6 pieces
- Sunscreen - 6 bottles
- Mosquito spray - 3 bottles
- Paper score sheets - 100 pieces
- Ballpoint pens - 30 pieces
- A4 printer paper - 1 pack
- Chalk - 2 boxes
- Highlighters - 2 sets

Tips

Plan at least one ball for each active game, plus spare balls for the busiest activities. Check that the pump works and inflate everything before participants arrive.
Prepare one vest or other team marker for every player, with a few extras for late registrations or damaged items. Sort team colours into separate piles before setup.
Keep one registration desk, one score table and enough tables and chairs for the officials, volunteers and waiting participants. Put score sheets, team cards, whistles and stopwatches together in a labelled box.
Provide water cups for players at every activity area and reusable cups and plates at the refreshment point. Set out more cups than the registered number of participants so volunteers do not need to wash them during the event.
Book party tents, nets, goal posts and larger sports equipment as soon as the date and venue are confirmed. Check the bad-weather plan at least 48 hours before the event and make sure the required equipment still fits the alternative layout.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a sports day?: Start with the equipment for the sports you have selected, such as balls, cones, vests, nets, posts or hoops. Add whistles, stopwatches, a measuring tape, score sheets and spare balls so the programme can continue if equipment is lost or damaged.
How many sports balls should I buy for a sports day?: Plan at least one ball for each active game or station, then add one spare ball for every three to five stations. For a busy event, having two spare balls per popular sport reduces waiting when a ball goes flat or goes missing.
How many cups do I need for a sports day?: Allow at least two water cups per participant, plus 10% extra for dropped or misplaced cups. For reusable cups and plates at the refreshment point, provide one set per person and add at least 10 extra sets.
When should I arrange sports day equipment?: Reserve tents, tables, chairs, nets, posts and other bulky equipment as soon as the venue and date are confirmed. Finish the equipment check at least 48 hours before the event and collect or sort everything on the day before setup.

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