Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Dance music in Western styles that hypes up sports days and athletic festivals [2026]

Active club DJkento
Active club DJ. With over five years on the front lines of the club scene, they freely cross over from dance music to US hip-hop and Japanese rap. Blending in their own edits with assured mixing, they craft a unique groove that captivates the floor.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Since dance became a compulsory subject in 2012, it has become more familiar to young people than it used to be, and there are now more opportunities to showcase the results of daily practice on big stages like sports days and school festivals.

Of course, choosing classic BGM will get the crowd going, but you’ll also want to show your taste by incorporating the latest dance music.

In this article, we’ve compiled the latest hits and popular tracks of Western dance music that will hype up sports days and school festivals.

From pop infused with funk and disco elements to melodic EDM, we’ve selected a wide range of songs, so be sure to pick tracks that match your production and scenes!

Western dance music that hypes up sports days and athletic festivals [2026] (21–30)

Kill This LoveBLACKPINK

BLACKPINK – ‘Kill This Love’ M/V

Kill This LoveBLACKPINK

BLACKPINK has become popular worldwide as an idol group originating from K-pop.

“Kill This Love” is one of their signature songs.

Many middle and high school students who like K-pop may be familiar with it.

With its cool, dark-themed dance music style, it’s recommended as background music for dance performances or as an entrance song.

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FANCYTwice

TWICE “FANCY” M/V

FANCYTwice

Many middle and high school students love K-pop idols.

K-pop is popular at sports days and athletic festivals too, so it’s perfect as background music.

“FANCY” is a hit by TWICE, one of the most popular K-pop idol groups.

Its fresh vibe makes it suitable for any scene and it’s sure to get everyone excited.

Of course, it’s also great for performing a dance to this song.

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Danger Feat J Boog and Tyrone’s JacketIration

Iration – Danger Feat J Boog and Tyrone’s Jacket (Official Video)

Danger Feat J Boog and Tyrone's JacketIration

Speaking of sports day, it’s definitely a passionate event, isn’t it? I bet a lot of people feel like listening to songs with Latin rhythms, like reggae.

Or maybe not? This track called “Danger” by a band named Iration blends a reggae-like vibe while still being crafted as dance music.

With its groovy, heavy beat, it just makes your body move before you know it.

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Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)Shakira

Shakira – Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Song)

Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)Shakira

“Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” which was used as the official theme song for the FIFA World Cup held in South Africa, is upbeat from start to finish.

Since it’s a song used for a global sporting event, it’s perfect for school sports days and athletic festivals.

It would really hype up the crowd if used as an entrance song, don’t you think? Initially, it made headlines because people in South Africa were critical of the song, but now it’s widely recognized as a symbol of peace.

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DON’T YOU WORRYBlack Eyed Peas, Shakira, David Guetta

Black Eyed Peas, Shakira, David Guetta – DON’T YOU WORRY (Official Music Video)

DON'T YOU WORRYBlack Eyed Peas, Shakira, David Guetta

“DON’T YOU WORRY” is a catchy dance number in which the title phrase is chanted repeatedly throughout the song.

This track features the American hip-hop/mixture group the Black Eyed Peas collaborating with Colombian singer Shakira.

Additionally, the popular trackmaker David Guetta produced the track, and its high-energy style is a perfect match for school sports festivals and athletic events.

The powerful vocal work by the two female singers is also a must-hear.

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Green Green GrassGeorge Ezra

George Ezra – Green Green Grass (Official Video)

Green Green GrassGeorge Ezra

“Green Green Grass” is a rhythmic pop song by British singer-songwriter George Ezra.

Its upbeat, party-like vibe makes it perfect for a sports day.

With many sections that emphasize off-beats in a funk-like way, this track will have bodies moving naturally as soon as it plays.

Because it has an emotional feel that boosts motivation, playing it during less popular events like the long-distance run could help improve the athletes’ performance.

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Party Rock Anthem ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRockLMFAO

LMFAO – Party Rock Anthem ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRock

Party Rock Anthem ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRockLMFAO

LMFAO is an electropop duo consisting of Redfoo and SkyBlu, who are active as rappers, dancers, and DJs.

Their signature song, Party Rock Anthem, was released as a single in 2011 and reached number one on the singles charts in more than seven countries worldwide.

British singer Lauren Bennett and singer-songwriter/rapper GoonRock appear as featured artists.

With its fast tempo and the memorable dance steps in its music video, this track might be a great fit for a sport like “touchdown,” where you kick a rugby ball, loop around a turnaround marker, and head for the goal!

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