Ranking of Western Songs That Hype Up Sports Days and Athletic Festivals [2026]

What A Man Gotta DoJonas Brothers50rank/position

Jonas Brothers – What A Man Gotta Do (Official Video)

Since their 2019 reunion, the Jonas Brothers have been on a remarkable roll.

This is their first release of 2020, a track called “What A Man Gotta Do.” The four-on-the-floor drums are powerful and boost the players’ morale.

The track is arranged mainly around acoustic guitar and drums, giving it a very fresh finish.

The intricately overlapping handclaps in the bridge also seem perfect for use in cheering battles between teams!

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Yoimachi Jēn

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5 Seconds Of SummerYoungblood51rank/position

Youngblood

At school sports festivals, in addition to competitions and cheering battles, each grade often puts on performances like group gymnastics and dance.

The themes vary, but especially in the upper grades, students deliver truly goosebump-inducing performances set to serious tracks.

A highly recommended song to use at such times is “Youngblood” by 5 Seconds of Summer.

With verses full of atmosphere and a chorus that radiates strength and raw energy, it’s an incredibly cool track!

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Yoimachi Jēn

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DesireCalvin Harris, Sam Smith52rank/position

Calvin Harris, Sam Smith – Desire (Official Video)

A track where beats fill the gleaming floor and ear-pleasing melodies intersect.

Calvin Harris’s production is polished, and Sam Smith’s crystalline vocals stand out even more.

Released in July 2023, this marks their first collaboration in five years.

Its relaxed mid-tempo feel may make it approachable for listeners outside the English-speaking world.

It’s perfect for cheerleading and cheer dance, brimming with the kind of appeal that captivates an audience in an instant.

Born from the strong affinity between Calvin Harris and Sam Smith, this track also comes highly recommended as a party tune.

Genghis Khan (also refers to a Japanese grilled mutton dish called ‘Jingisukan’)Dschinghis Khan53rank/position

Genghis Khan (1979) with lyrics

The song inspired by the Mongolian hero Genghis Khan became a worldwide hit starting in Japan in 1979.

For a time, it was used as entrance and exit music and as a dance track at many schools.

Nowadays, most elementary schools do not do radio calisthenics; instead, they conduct warm-up exercises and stretches in a dance format.

Because of its lively rhythm, some schools still use it for warm-up dances.

Hey MickeySweet California54rank/position

Sweet California – Hey Mickey (Videoclip Oficial)

A pop tune by Sweet California that candidly voices a woman’s feelings in love over an uptempo, bright melody.

It portrays both the strength of her feelings for the person she likes and the frustration of that person’s ambiguous attitude, beautifully expressing the joys and pains of romance.

Released in 2014 as a track on the album “Break of Day,” this work is a cover of the song that American singer Toni Basil turned into a massive hit in 1982.

Its energetic rhythm and contemporary arrangement blend perfectly, making it a popular song frequently used at sporting events and on television.

It’s a surefire crowd-pleaser for cheer dance and party scenes.

With a rhythm ideal for captivating performances and universally relatable lyrics, this track is an uplifting choice for high-energy moments.

Never Surrender2Pac55rank/position

2PAC – Never Surrender [MOTIVATION]

The legendary hip-hop king representing the West Coast, 2Pac.

Any true head knows he’s a great rapper.

Among his works, the track that’s especially perfect for school sports days and athletic festivals is “Never Surrender.” Even at a school sports day, it’s ultimately about competition.

The track’s hard-edged lyrics and flow match the intense, head-to-head atmosphere perfectly.

It’ll boost the athletes’ motivation too, so definitely give it a listen.

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Stay (Don’t Go Away)David Guetta feat Raye56rank/position

David Guetta feat Raye – Stay (Don’t Go Away) (Official Video)

With a classic house dance beat and a bouncy bassline, this is “Stay (Don’t Go Away),” a collaboration between David Guetta and Raye.

Raye’s beautiful vocals match perfectly.

The bassline in particular is light and lively, making you want to move your feet to the rhythm.

How about using it as BGM for a sports day or school athletic festival?