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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 & Classics] Recommended Western Music BGM for Sports Day & Athletic Festivals [2026] (31–40)

Love AgainDua Lipa

Dua Lipa – Love Again (Official Music Video)
Love AgainDua Lipa

Dua Lipa is a singer who also works as a model.

Her vocals, which combine coolness and sexiness, are highly captivating.

Her hit song Love Again was released in June 2021.

While it’s not as widely known as her previous signature tracks like Don’t Start Now or Levitating, it showcases a different side of her with its memorable samples and dry guitar tones.

Her rich vocals remain as powerful as ever, delivering the dynamic melody with a sexy flair.

Carry OnKygo & Rita Ora’s

Carry On (from the Original Motion Picture “POKÉMON Detective Pikachu”) (Official Video)
Carry OnKygo & Rita Ora’s

This is the track “Carry On,” a collaboration between Kygo, a producer known for tropical house, and singer Rita Ora.

It was the theme song for the film Detective Pikachu, which was shocking in many ways.

Isn’t it already a hit with kids, too? The stylish piano sound matches Rita Ora’s clear, transparent vocals perfectly.

The warm message woven into the song is also moving.

It’s a track that gets you excited without being too intense!

Counting StarsOneRepublic

OneRepublic – Counting Stars
Counting StarsOneRepublic

This is a work released in June 2013 by OneRepublic, a pop-rock band from the United States.

It expresses the emotions of modern people swayed by materialism and anxiety about the future through an impressive folk-pop sound.

Included on the 2013 album “Native,” it became a major hit, reaching No.

2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.

1 in the UK.

Used in the end credits of the film “Earth to Echo” and in the TV drama “Rookie Blue,” this song offers courage and hope in the face of adversity.

It also makes a great background track for school sports days, encouraging a spirit of challenge.

All I Do Is Win ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop DoggDJ Khaled

DJ Khaled – All I Do Is Win (Official Video) ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg
All I Do Is Win ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop DoggDJ Khaled

This is a powerful, up-tempo hip-hop track themed around victory and success.

Hailing from Louisiana, DJ Khaled collaborates with heavyweight artists who represent the hip-hop scene, including T-Pain, Ludacris, Rick Ross, and Snoop Dogg.

Released as a single from the album “Victory” in February 2010, the song achieved major success, earning RIAA triple-platinum certification.

It has been embraced across global entertainment, including a cover in the film Pitch Perfect 2.

Its impactful, hard-hitting sound and positive message make it perfect for school sports days and dance performances—an undeniable crowd-pleaser that enhances team unity and delivers a powerful, energetic showcase.

Wavin’ FlagK’NAAN

K’NAAN – Wavin’ Flag (Coca-Cola Celebration Mix)
Wavin' FlagK'NAAN

It’s a powerful message song imbued with a wish for hope and freedom.

Somali-Canadian artist K’naan draws on his own experiences and the situation in his homeland to sing about the courage to face adversity and hope for the future.

Taken from the album “Troubadour” and released in February 2009, the song resonated with people around the world and saw its impact spread widely.

It was chosen as an official anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and was also used in Coca-Cola’s promotional campaign.

With its strong melody and universal message, it’s an ideal cheering song for uniting participants at major events such as sports days and athletic festivals.