[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.
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[Latest & Classic] Recommended Western Music BGM for Sports Day/Athletic Festival [2026] (21–30)
Lose YourselfEminem
Eminem, a hip-hop MC from the United States.
His song “Lose Yourself” carries the message: “Put your all into this very moment.” That message fits perfectly with a sports day.
Eminem’s motivating rap and the track’s rhythm are recommended not only before events but also as BGM during competitions.
It’s also a well-known song in hip-hop, making it easy for many people to enjoy, which is another point in its favor.
A Kiss for SherryMichel Polnareff
It’s a song that was a big hit in 1971.
Both the lyrics and music are by Michel Polnareff, and back then you could hear it everywhere.
It was even used for cheer dances at my high school’s sports festival.
Times have changed, but with new arrangements, it remains a rare song that still works as a cheer anthem today.
Genghis Khan (also refers to a Japanese grilled mutton dish called ‘Jingisukan’)Dschinghis Khan
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.
bad guyBillie Eilish
Billie Eilish, the breakout new artist everyone’s talking about.
Her popularity is soaring in Japan as well! This is her signature song, “bad guy.” Since it was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Shiro demo Kuro demo nai Sekai de, Panda wa Warau” (The World of Neither White Nor Black, the Panda Laughs), many people have probably heard it even if they don’t know her.
The catchy bassline and whispery vocals give it a very cool vibe, yet there’s something a bit comical about it too.
It’s a buzzworthy track, so you can’t go wrong adding it to your playlist!
My UniverseColdplay X BTS
A masterpiece featuring big-name artists together: “My Universe.” This song is a lavish collaboration between the British band Coldplay and the Korean group BTS.
BTS had openly declared they were fans, and Coldplay said they wanted to write a song for them—two acts mutually smitten, culminating in a long-awaited collaboration.
The track carries Coldplay’s hallmark grandeur and crystal-clear sound, with BTS’s vocals adding even more energy to the song.