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Western pop/rock cheer songs recommended for sports days and athletic festivals. Cheer songs from around the world.

Sports days and cultural festivals bring together all grades, so they’re some of the most anticipated school events.

At these events, music is also a key element for energizing the venue!

Of course, Japanese songs are classics, but many people probably want to pick some stylish Western tracks too.

So in this article, we’ll introduce plenty of Western pump-up songs that are perfect for sports days and athletic festivals!

From timeless tracks that make you want to start running the moment you hear them, to the latest hits hugely popular with younger generations, we’ve got a full lineup—use it as a reference for your playlist.

Cheer songs in Western music recommended for sports days and athletic festivals. World cheer songs (21–30)

Shape of YouEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran – Shape of You (Official Music Video)
Shape of YouEd Sheeran

This is one of Ed Sheeran’s famously massive global hit numbers.

The refrain in the background creates an atmosphere that pairs beautifully with Sheeran’s delicate, translucent vocals.

While it can be heard as a stirring, passionate love song, the lyrics are open to interpretation.

At events like school sports days, I hope people enjoy its danceable beat and the quiet rise of excitement from within.

BurnDeep Purple

Deep Purple is a quintessential hard rock band active since the 1960s.

In Japan, they enjoy high recognition in the rock scene alongside Led Zeppelin.

Among their songs, the one perfect for sports festivals and school cultural festivals is Burn, released in 1974.

Its driving band sound is striking, and rock fans will love the exhilarating guitar solo.

Beyond its heat, the classical melodic lines also resonate deeply.

Give this rock tune a listen to boost the energy of any school event.

Runaway BabyBruno Mars

Bruno Mars – Runaway Baby (Official Lyric Video)
Runaway BabyBruno Mars

A captivating track whose driving sound evokes 1960s R&B and rock, highlighted by Bruno Mars’s powerful vocals.

Included on his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans and released in October 2010, the song is told from the perspective of a playboy, depicting how he attracts someone yet ultimately walks away.

With its punchy beat and funky guitar riffs, it delivered a show-stopping performance that dazzled the audience at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in 2012.

Also used as the opening theme for the film Friends with Benefits, this energetic number is perfect for amping up cheer routines and party scenes.

ParadiseColdplay

Coldplay – Paradise (Official Video)
ParadiseColdplay

It’s a song by a British rock band that is acclaimed worldwide.

The track is truly grand, with a beautiful melody that flows at a lively pace.

I think it’s a great classic to beautifully enhance events like school sports festivals and athletic meets while creating a magnificent sense of excitement.

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.

Do It To It (feat. Cherish)ACRAZE

ACRAZE – Do It To It (feat. Cherish) (Official Video)
Do It To It (feat. Cherish)ACRAZE

This track, crafted by Ark Rays, a DJ from New York State, USA, is designed to ignite the dance floor.

Sampling a popular R&B song from 2006 and elevating it into a modern tech-house sound, it vividly captures the exhilaration of people dancing.

Released in August 2021, the track garnered global acclaim and won Dance Song of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

It was also featured in a Pepsi Wild Cherry advertising campaign and the game Fortnite, earning love from a wide audience.

It’s an excellent choice as background music for fast-paced school sports events like sprints and relays.

Light it Up (feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG) (Remix)Major Lazer

Major Lazer – Light it Up (feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG) (Remix) [Official 4K Music Video]
Light it Up (feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG) (Remix)Major Lazer

A track that pairs a powerful dancehall- and reggae-based sound with a message full of hope.

Created by American DJ project Major Lazer featuring Jamaica-born Nyla and British-Ghanaian artist Fuse ODG, it’s an anthem of encouragement.

The lyrics, which summon the strength and passion to face adversity and stay true to oneself, blend seamlessly with the energetic beat.

Released in 2015 as part of the album “Peace Is the Mission,” it later received a remix version in November of the same year.

The song reached No.

7 on the UK Singles Chart and topped the charts in France.

It’s a perfect choice for moments that call for unity and fighting spirit, such as sports events and school field days.