Music has been a big part of global sporting events for decades. It allows athletes to compete on the field while also providing a way to celebrate culture. Whether you are watching from a packed stadium or in front of one billion people via television, the right song played at the right time will determine what an entire event will be remembered as. Major sporting events over the 2024-25 calendar year have produced many great musical selections during their halftime shows and through their official tournament playlists. This article takes a look at how music and sports come together at the highest levels of competition.
The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show and Its Musical Impact
Super Bowl halftime shows have evolved into among the most anticipated entertainment events within the global sporting calendar. In February of 2025, Kendrick Lamar performed at Super Bowl LIX (59) and had SZA join him in person as part of his performance. During commercial breaks, fans can use their time to enjoy an interactive form of entertainment; many do this by exploring casino games, and some may even opt to try Plinko game online, which provides a fast-paced and entertaining way to pass the time between performances. As a result of the halftime show, there was a direct and measurable increase in Lamar’s streaming activity throughout the next few days across all of the major streaming platforms.
After the show, many of the songs by Lamar went back into the Global Charts to prove again how the Super Bowl consistently gives an artist who is performing during the game exposure commercially. Within 48 hours of the broadcast, streaming services showed a significant increase in saved playlists and followers for the artists. The Super Bowl halftime slot continues to be one of the best ways for an artist to promote themselves through the music industry.
UEFA Euro 2024 and the Tournament’s Official Soundtrack
The UEFA Euro 2024 opening ceremonies and trophy presentations were enhanced by specifically chosen music that further defined the emotional identity of the tournament. The official broadcast theme also expanded the reach of the tournament outside of Germany via highlight packages and recap material. Another dimension of fan engagement with the tournament was sports betting; some of the platforms that covered the tournament included MelBet ZM, which allowed fans to place wagers on match outcomes and top scorer predictions during Euro 2024. Together, the music, ceremony, and live wagering options created an incredibly immersive experience for the fans of the tournament.
The Euro 2024 Official Broadcast Theme was seen and heard outside of the tournament itself as it appeared in Highlight Packages and Recap Content, which increased its reach far beyond the Final. The artists involved in the Euro 2024 Soundtrack had an increase in their Monthly Listeners on streaming services before and after the Event Period.
Why Music Selection Matters at Major Sporting Events
Organizers of large-scale sports events invest significant effort into music selection because the right track amplifies emotional moments and extends audience engagement far beyond the venue. Several clear patterns define how these decisions are made:
- Cultural relevance: Songs are chosen to reflect the host region’s identity or connect with the tournament’s target audience demographics.
- Emotional timing: Tracks used during trophy lifts or closing ceremonies are selected specifically to heighten the emotional intensity of those moments.
- Global accessibility: Organizers favor artists and sounds that translate across language barriers to reach international broadcast audiences.
- Streaming strategy: Associations with major sports events are increasingly viewed as a legitimate route to chart visibility for both established and emerging artists.
These considerations shape not only the live experience but also the lasting cultural footprint of each event.
Sports Event Placements Have a Long-Term Impact On Music
Streaming numbers for songs played during large-scale sporting events have shown a strong upward trend since 2024. In fact, artists who perform or contribute to such events as the Super Bowl, UEFA Finals, and the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics were able to demonstrate a spike in audience numbers immediately after their performance. The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics was notable for its diversity of French and international artists. This diversity generated an enormous amount of buzz on social media and created an uptick in playlist activity globally.
When Both Sound and Sport Create A Lasting Impression
As much as each side may benefit from having a connection to a major sporting event (artists will find a high-profile event to be one they can build upon in their careers; event organizers will create a competition that fans will be talking about for years to come), neither side could be successful without the other. For instance, artists are aware that being a part of the Super Bowl halftime show or a major UEFA match is a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to help advance their career. Similarly, event organizers understand that the right selection of music will turn what could be just another competition into a cultural phenomenon that fans will remember for years to come.
Comments