Dance Music in Western Pop That Fires Up Sports Days and Athletic Festivals [2025]

bad guyBillie Eilish

Billie Eilish – bad guy

Billie Eilish is highly acclaimed in English-speaking and Asian regions.

Since her tracks are crafted with a deeply immersive sound from start to finish, they may not be very suitable for competitive events.

They would match better with dance categories.

It might also work well when introducing the athletes.

If you choose it for a dance event, the challenge will be how to dance to the key change starting at 2:45.

This type of sound pairs well with animation dance, so I recommend it.

That’s What I LikeBruno Mars

Bruno Mars – That’s What I Like [Official Music Video]

Bruno Mars, the revolutionary figure in the pop scene who’s now wildly popular.

One of his recent massive hits is this song.

Its stylish sound is guaranteed to get everyone pumped! It doesn’t really have a competitive feel, so it might be a good fit for things like group gymnastics.

This Is What You Came For ft. RihannaCalvin Harris

Calvin Harris, Rihanna – This Is What You Came For (Official Video)

This is their first song together since “We Found Love,” a massive hit by the hugely popular electronic DJ Calvin Harris and the incomparable songstress Rihanna—and this one was a big hit too.

By the way, rumor has it the song was written by Calvin Harris’s ex, Taylor Swift… or maybe not.

It’s a track with a little bit of lore behind it.

YummyINNA

INNA – Yummy

This is a track released by Romania’s national singer, INNA, in collaboration with Dhurata Dora and Stefflon Don.

It’s a mature, R&B-style song about the push and pull of romance.

With plenty of onomatopoeia and repeated title phrases, it’s easy for first-time listeners to get into the groove.

Another draw is that the three artists have very different musical styles, so you can enjoy contrasting vibes in one song.

These days, it’s common to play stylish tracks even at school sports days, so why not use a song like this as a curveball?

X ft. KAROL GJonas Brothers

Jonas Brothes ft. KAROL G – X (Official Music Video)

The Jonas Brothers’ masterpiece “X ft.

KAROL G.” Speaking of the Jonas Brothers, they’re a band of brothers known for changing their musical style like chameleons from song to song.

In this track, they take on a sound they haven’t explored before, and as you can tell from the feature with Karol G, it’s crafted with a Latin vibe from start to finish.

With its catchy, upbeat sound, I think it’s perfect for school sports days—dances or even obstacle races!

Padam PadamKYLIE MINOGUE

Kylie Minogue – Padam Padam (Official Video)

“Padam Padam,” a killer tune from Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue, is the lead single from her latest career-defining album, Tension.

It’s a passionate dance-pop track that’s guaranteed to light up the floor from the very first listen.

The hypnotic electro sound and the repeated “Padam” refrain are irresistibly catchy, perfectly capturing the thrill and rush of falling in love.

The lyrics also convey the powerful bond between lovers who understand each other without words—an ultimate love song.

With its catchy melody and emotionally charged lyrics creating an irresistible groove, it’s the perfect track to hype up the crowd during a school sports festival dance time!

Miss YouOliver Tree & Robin Schulz

Oliver Tree & Robin Schulz – Miss You [Official Music Video]

Released in 2022, singer-songwriter Oliver Tree’s “Miss You” is an outrageously upbeat dance tune.

He collaborates with DJ and music producer Robin Schulz, and the result is a high-energy track with an EDM vibe.

Its brisk tempo makes it perfect for running, so it could work well as background music for races like relays, scavenger runs, or giant ball-rolling events.

Be sure to check it out.