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Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Latest & Classic] Recommended Western Music BGM for Sports Day & Athletic Festivals [2026]

At school sports days and athletic meets, BGM is crucial—not only for boosting the overall atmosphere, but also for motivating the students.

In the past, the go-to choices tended to be classic pieces like “Orpheus in the Underworld,” but in recent years, popular Western tracks from platforms like TikTok have also been used.

In this article, we’ve put together a selection of stylish Western songs to liven up your sports day or athletic festival, aimed at teachers who are struggling with choosing BGM.

We’ll focus on tracks that reflect the latest trends, and in the latter half we’ll also introduce timeless classics, so be sure to use this as a reference.

[Latest & Classic] Recommended Western Music BGM for Sports Day & Athletic Festivals [2026] (1–10)

greedyTate McRae

Tate McRae – greedy (Official Video)
greedyTate McRae

Tate McRae is a Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer born in 2003.

She gained attention through her performances on the dance show So You Think You Can Dance, began releasing original songs through her “Create With Tate” series, and made her major-label debut with RCA Records in 2019.

Her second studio album, Think Later, featuring the lead single “greedy,” was released in September 2023.

“greedy” combines a contemporary R&B and dance-pop sound with candid lyrics co-written with Ryan Tedder and others, showcasing Tate’s artistic growth.

The song conveys confident self-expression while exploring the complexities of self-awareness in relationships, acknowledging one’s own allure while also warning of the challenges that come with it.

Its self-assured lyrics and aggressive sound make it a perfect track to energize events like school sports days and athletic festivals.

Made You LookMeghan Trainor

Meghan Trainor – Made You Look (Official Music Video)
Made You LookMeghan Trainor

Meghan Trainor is a female singer-songwriter from the United States, born in 1993.

She began singing at the age of six and started seriously writing songs in her early teens.

While honing her craft behind the scenes as a songwriter, she made her long-awaited solo debut in 2014.

Her debut single, “All About That Bass,” became a massive hit and earned her a Grammy nomination, propelling her into the ranks of top stars.

Her songs, many of which emphasize the importance of living authentically without worrying about body shape, have garnered widespread support and made her an icon of the times.

In 2022, Meghan released the single “Made You Look,” a track with a lively, oldies-inspired sound that portrays a confident woman who continues to captivate her husband even after marriage and having children.

Its powerful message—that true beauty lies not in fashion or appearance but in being your authentic self—is also exceptional.

With its upbeat melody that gives you a boost, it’s the perfect song for a school sports day soundtrack.

LosTBring Me The Horizon

Bring Me The Horizon – LosT (Official Video)
LosTBring Me The Horizon

This time, we’re featuring the latest single “LosT” from Bring Me The Horizon, a hugely popular rock band that the UK is proud of.

Fronted by Oliver Sykes and consisting of five members—Lee Malia, Matt Kean, Jordan Fish, and Matt Nicholls—Bring Me The Horizon began with deathcore, moved through metalcore, and has undergone a musical evolution that actively embraces elements of pop and electronica.

Released in May 2023, the track is a lead single from the album POST HUMAN: NEX GEN and is also featured on the soundtrack of the game NHL 24.

The music video generated buzz as well, with a cameo by actor Thomas Ian Nicholas.

Set to an up-tempo sound reminiscent of emo and pop punk, “LosT” portrays the struggles of a protagonist searching for meaning amid loneliness and self-doubt.

For those carrying emotional pain, it’s a song that offers both empathy and hope.

Use it as background music for a school sports day, and it’s sure to give students competing on the field the courage to take one more step forward.

Good Luck, Babe!Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Babe!” (Live From The 2024 MTV VMAs)
Good Luck, Babe!Chappell Roan

An exhilarating, edgy pop tune was released to the world in April 2024 by American artist Chappell Roan.

Centered on themes of self-liberation and the pursuit of truth, the track boldly expresses hidden emotions and inner conflict, seamlessly blending powerful vocals with a striking melodic line.

Hailing from Missouri, Roan began posting on YouTube at the age of 14 and made a major impact on the music scene with her album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.

She is a standout artist who has garnered high acclaim, including five Grammy nominations.

Used as background music for school sports days or athletic festivals, its vibrant, dynamic sound is sure to energize the entire venue.

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

Unfolding with dynamic energy, this pop number overflows with African spirit atop a powerful, groovy rhythm.

The celebratory sound woven by Colombia’s Shakira and South African band Freshlyground is sure to be the ultimate BGM to fire up any sports day.

Released in May 2010, the track gained worldwide popularity as the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, selling over 15 million copies globally.

It topped the charts in 15 countries and has amassed over 4 billion views on YouTube.

Blending a feverish, danceable beat with the spirit of football, this song is a perfect match for sporting events—powerfully propelling athletes toward victory and uniting the entire venue in a shared sense of excitement.