Medal Sizes Explained: Choosing the Right Size for Your Event

Choosing the right medal for an event isn’t just about the design. Medal size can affect the overall presentation, visibility of the artwork, available space for personalisation and how appropriate the award feels for the occasion.

A small medal can be ideal for a large participation event, while a larger medal can create a more impressive presentation for a championship, major sporting competition or special achievement.

With so many sports medals and awards available in Australia, how do you know which size is right?

This guide explains what to consider when choosing medal sizes for sporting clubs, schools, businesses, community events and competitions.

What Does Medal Size Mean?

When suppliers refer to the size of a medal, they are generally referring to its diameter, measured from one edge of the medal to the other.

For example:

• 40mm medal = approximately 40mm diameter
• 50mm medal = approximately 50mm diameter
• 60mm medal = approximately 60mm diameter
• 70mm medal = approximately 70mm diameter
• 90mm medal = approximately 90mm diameter

The overall dimensions can vary depending on the medal’s shape and design.

Bayside Discount Trophies currently offers a wide range of medals in different sizes and designs. Its online medal collection includes hundreds of options, including 50mm sports medals and larger medal formats.

What Medal Size Should You Choose?

There isn’t one universal ‘best’ medal size.

The right choice depends on:

• Type of event
• Age of participants
• Number of recipients
• Award importance
• Design requirements
• Amount of text required
• Budget
• Whether the medal will be displayed
• Whether you need a medal box

As a general guide, smaller medals can work well for participation awards, while larger medals can provide greater visual impact for major achievements.

40mm–50mm Medals: Great for Participation and Junior Events

Smaller medals are often a practical choice when you need to recognise a large number of participants.

They can be suitable for:

• Junior sporting clubs
• School carnivals
• Participation awards
• Fun runs
• Community events
• Swimming competitions
• Athletics events
• School house competitions

A smaller medal can also help keep costs manageable when ordering hundreds of awards.

For example, if a school has 300 participants and every student receives a medal, choosing a practical size can make a significant difference to the overall order.

Bayside Discount Trophies currently lists several 50mm medals across its sports medal collection.

Browse 50mm Sports Medals and Other Medal Sizes

50mm–60mm Medals: A Versatile Choice for Sports Awards

For many sporting events, a medium-sized medal offers a good balance between visibility, presentation and cost.

These sizes can be suitable for:

• Soccer
• Football
• Cricket
• Basketball
• Netball
• Swimming
• Athletics
• Tennis
• Martial arts
• School sports

A medium-sized medal has enough surface area for a prominent centre design while remaining comfortable for players to wear.

This makes it a strong all-round option for sports medals in Australia.

60mm–70mm Medals: More Visual Impact

Larger medals can make an award feel more substantial.

Consider a larger medal when you’re recognising:

• Championship winners
• Major tournaments
• Grand finals
• Special achievements
• Corporate competitions
• Significant milestones
• Major school competitions

A larger surface can also provide more room for a detailed logo or event design.

Bayside Discount Trophies offers larger medal options, including a 70mm medal box designed specifically for bigger medals, which can be useful when presentation and protection are important.

Explore Medal Boxes

70mm–90mm Medals: Premium Presentation Awards

Very large medals can create a strong visual statement and are particularly suitable for special or prestigious events.

They may be appropriate for:

• Major sporting championships
• Large tournaments
• Corporate competitions
• Anniversary events
• Special recognition
• Major club milestones

For example, Bayside Discount Trophies currently lists 90mm all-sports medals, demonstrating that substantially larger medal formats are available.

A larger medal may also be paired with a presentation box for a more premium experience.

Medal Size Comparison

These are general guidelines rather than strict rules. The design of the medal is just as important as its diameter.

Does a Bigger Medal Mean a Better Award?

Not necessarily.

A larger medal isn’t automatically a better medal.

The most appropriate size depends on the event and recipient.

For example, giving every child at a junior sports carnival a very large medal may be unnecessary. A well-designed medium-sized medal can be more practical and still feel special.

On the other hand, a major state-level championship may benefit from a larger, more substantial medal.

The goal is to match the medal size to the importance and style of the event.

Consider the Age of Your Participants

Participant age can influence your medal choice.

Junior Participants

For younger children, consider:

• Lightweight medals
• Bright designs
• Sport-specific designs
• Comfortable ribbon sizes
• Practical medal sizes

A medal should be large enough to feel like an achievement without being unnecessarily heavy.

Teenagers and Adults

Older participants may appreciate larger and more detailed medals, particularly for championships and major competitions.

Corporate Events

For corporate competitions, a more sophisticated medal design and presentation box may be preferable to a traditional junior sports medal.

Medal Size and Your Design

One of the biggest reasons to consider medal size carefully is the design.

If your medal needs to include:

• Club logo
• Event logo
• Competition name
• Year
• Sport
• Achievement
• Sponsor information

you need enough surface area for those elements to remain readable.

A highly detailed logo may look better on a larger medal.

For a simple club logo or sports symbol, a smaller medal may work perfectly well.

Custom Medal Designs

If your event has its own branding, a custom medal can provide a stronger connection between the award and the event.

Custom medals can incorporate elements such as:

• Club logos
• School logos
• Company branding
• Event names
• Dates
• Team colours
• Sport-specific imagery

For annual events, a consistent medal design can also help establish the competition’s identity.

If you organise the same event every year, consider keeping the overall design consistent while changing the year or achievement.

Choosing Medal Size for Sports Clubs

Sports clubs often need medals for multiple categories.

For example, a soccer club might require:

• Championship medals
• Runner-up medals
• Participation medals
• Best Player medals
• Coaches’ awards

Rather than using one size for everything, you can create a hierarchy.

Example

Champions: 70mm medal

Runner-up: 60mm medal

Participation: 50mm medal

This isn’t a requirement, but it can make the presentation visually distinctive.

Alternatively, using one consistent medal size across all categories can create a more uniform presentation.

Choosing Medal Sizes for Schools

Schools often order medals in larger quantities.

A school sports carnival might require medals for:

• First place
• Second place
• Third place
• Age champions
• House champions
• Participation
• Special achievements

If hundreds of students are receiving awards, a practical medal size can help control the overall budget.

For major individual achievements, you could use larger medals or trophies while using standard medals for participation.

Bayside Discount Trophies also offers a broad range of trophies alongside its medal collection, allowing schools to combine different award formats.

Browse the Trophy Collection

Medal Size and Medal Boxes

If you’re presenting medals as premium awards, consider whether you need a medal box.

A medal box can protect the medal and create a more formal presentation.

This can be particularly useful for:

• Championship awards
• Corporate recognition
• Major tournaments
• Long-service awards
• Special achievements

Bayside Discount Trophies currently offers medal boxes in several formats, including a 70mm medal box designed for larger medals.

Shop Medal Boxes

Don’t Forget the Ribbon

The medal isn’t the only part of the award.

The ribbon can significantly affect the overall presentation.

When selecting a medal, consider:

• Ribbon colour
• Ribbon width
• Club colours
• Event branding
• Comfort
• Whether the ribbon needs printing

For a club presentation, matching the ribbon to the club’s colours can create a more professional appearance.

For major events, custom-printed ribbons can also help reinforce event branding.

Medal Size vs Trophy Size

Medals and trophies serve different purposes.

A trophy is generally more suitable for:

• Major individual achievements
• Championship awards
• Player of the Year
• Best & Fairest
• Club awards
• Perpetual competitions

Medals are particularly useful for:

• Participation
• Large groups
• School events
• Sporting competitions
• Tournament awards
• First, second and third place

Many organisations use both.

For example:

Championship: Trophy

Individual awards: Trophies

Participation: Medals

This provides a practical balance between recognition and budget.

How Many Medals Should You Order?

Before choosing your medal size, work out how many medals you need.

Use this simple formula:

Number of participants × medals per participant = total medals

For example:

A school has 250 participants.

Each participant receives one medal.

250 × 1 = 250 medals

If you need medals for first, second and third place across 10 events:

10 events × 3 medals = 30 medals

Then add any participation or special awards.

It is also worth considering whether you need a small number of extras for late changes or unexpected participants.

What Should You Put on a Medal?

The amount of text you want to include can also influence your medal size.

A simple medal might only need:

2026

CHAMPION

A custom event medal might need:

BRISBANE SCHOOL SPORTS

2026

UNDER 15 GIRLS

100M SPRINT

The more information you need to display, the more important it becomes to choose a design and size that can accommodate the text clearly.

Medal Sizes for Different Events

Here’s a quick guide:

Sports Carnival

50–60mm

Ideal for large numbers of participants.

Junior Sports Presentation

50–60mm

A practical size for young players.

Club Championship

60–70mm

Provides greater visual impact.

Major Tournament

60–90mm

Larger medals can create a more premium presentation.

Corporate Competition

50–70mm

Choose based on the branding and formality of the event.

Special Recognition

70mm+

Consider a larger medal or presentation box for major milestones.

Again, these are guidelines rather than fixed rules.

Ordering Medals in Australia

Once you’ve selected your medal design and size, don’t forget to confirm:

• Medal size
• Quantity
• Medal colour
• Ribbon colour
• Custom centre
• Logo
• Engraving requirements
• Presentation boxes
• Delivery date

For bulk orders, confirm all details before production begins.

Bayside Discount Trophies provides a large online medal collection and promotes customisable awards and delivery services for customers in Brisbane, Queensland and Australia.

Where to Buy Medals in Brisbane and Australia

If you’re looking for medals in Brisbane, Queensland or elsewhere in Australia, Bayside Discount Trophies offers a broad range of medals for sporting clubs, schools, businesses and community events.

The business is located at:

2392 Wynnum Road

Wynnum, QLD 4178

Australia

Bayside Discount Trophies

You can browse the full medal range to compare different designs and sizes. The current online range includes hundreds of medals, with options ranging from standard sports medals to larger formats.

Choose the Right Medal Size for Your Event

Choosing the right medal size comes down to finding the right balance between presentation, practicality, design and budget.

For large participation events, a 40–50mm or 50–60mm medal may be an excellent choice. For championship competitions and special achievements, a larger 60–90mm medal can create more visual impact.

Before ordering, consider:

Who is receiving the medal?

What achievement does it represent?

How many medals do you need?

What information needs to appear on the medal?

Does the design need a custom logo?

Will the medals require presentation boxes?

Once you’ve answered these questions, choosing the right medal becomes much easier.

For sports medals, custom medals and awards in Australia, explore the range available from Bayside Discount Trophies.

Shop Medals at Bayside Discount Trophies