Tournament Trophy Checklist: How Many Awards Do You Need?

Step 1: List every section and age group

Start by listing each competition within your tournament. A football festival might have under-8s, under-10s and under-12s sections. A darts competition might have singles, pairs and team events. A netball tournament might have senior and junior sections.

Each section needs its own set of awards, so this list becomes the backbone of your order. Write down the number of teams or entrants in each section and the maximum squad size your rules allow. If entries are still open, use your cap rather than current numbers and adjust before you confirm the order.

Step 2: Decide what each section receives

For each section, tick off the awards you plan to give. Not every tournament needs all of them, but it's worth considering each one.

• Winners' team trophy – one per section, often a cup or a larger trophy.
• Runners-up team trophy – one per section, usually a smaller version of the winners' award.
• Winners' medals – one per player in the winning squad.
• Runners-up medals – one per player in the runner-up squad.
• Third place or semi-finalist medals – optional, but popular at junior level.
• Participation medals – one for every player at junior festivals.
• Individual awards – player of the tournament, top scorer, best goalkeeper or fair play.
• Thank-you awards – for referees, umpires, volunteers or sponsors.

Step 3: Calculate medal numbers

Medals are where most organisers miscount. Always multiply by the maximum squad size allowed in your rules, not by the number of players who usually start a game.

For example, if your under-10s section allows squads of 10, you need 10 winners' medals and 10 runners-up medals. If you also give third place medals, add another 10. Then add two or three spares per section for squads that bring an extra player or a coach who wants one.

Worked examples

• Junior football festival, 3 age groups, 8 teams each, squads of 10, participation medals for all: 240 participation medals, 3 winners' trophies, 3 runners-up trophies, 3 player of the tournament awards, plus about 10 spares.
• Netball tournament, 2 sections, squads of 10: 2 winners' trophies, 2 runners-up trophies, 40 medals (winners and runners-up), 2 player of the tournament awards.
• Darts or pool singles competition: winner's trophy, runner-up trophy, two semi-finalist trophies and a highest checkout or highest break award.
• Golf day: overall winner, runner-up, nearest the pin, longest drive and a team prize, plus an optional wooden spoon.

Choosing tournament trophies and medals

Choose one style for team trophies and scale the size by placing. A cup for winners and a smaller cup for runners-up looks smart on a presentation table. Cups on our site range from £2.25 to £31.50, with a typical cup around £12.50.

For individual medals, gold, silver and bronze finishes make placings clear at a glance. Medals start from £1.25 and are typically around £2 before bulk discount, which is why most tournaments give medals to players and keep trophies for teams and individual standouts.

If your tournament is an annual fixture, consider a perpetual trophy for the overall winners alongside smaller keepsake trophies the teams take home. The perpetual trophy gains history every year, with each winner's name engraved on a band or shield, while the keepsake gives every winning team something permanent of their own.

Final tournament award checklist

Before you send your order, run through this list. It catches the awards that organisers most often forget until the morning of the event.

• Every section has a winners' and runners-up award.
• Medal numbers are based on maximum squad size, plus spares.
• Individual awards are decided, with criteria agreed for who picks them.
• Referees, umpires and key volunteers have been thanked with a small award or medal.
• Any sponsor wants their name on the engraving, and it's spelled correctly.
• Someone is responsible for bringing the awards and laying them out on the day.

Engraving and presentation on the day

Because you won't know the winners in advance, engrave team trophies with the tournament name, year and placing, such as Summer Cup 2026 – U10 Winners. The winning team name can be added afterwards if needed, or the trophy can be perpetual with a new name each year.

Medals can be left unengraved or engraved identically with the event name and year. Lay awards out by section and placing before the final whistle so presentations run smoothly. Present each section's awards as soon as its final finishes, rather than holding everything until the end, so younger teams aren't kept waiting all afternoon.

Benjamin A. told us after his event: “Will be ordering from them again for next year's tournament.” Send your checklist on WhatsApp for a free quote. We'll check the numbers with you and confirm timings.