Popular songs that are associated with sports teams

Perhaps the most popular song in the Blink-182 catalog has been a part of the Avalanche home game-day experience since 2019. The song is traditionally played during the third period of Colorado contests, which sends the home crowd into a sing-a-long frenzy. It's also been played following any overtime home victory. The atmosphere was on exhibit for the masses to see during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which the Avalanche won. Though the track has been played at plenty of pro arenas, it somehow took on a life of its own in Denver.

The multi-versatile Todd Rundgren played every instrument on perhaps the signature song in his catalog. Released in 1983, it was two years later that "Bang the Drum All Day" became the touchdown celebration song of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Over the years, the song, combined with the famed "Lambeau Leap" into the seats by the scoring Packer, has become as much a tradition of the storied franchise as Vince Lombardi and the "Ice Bowl." Other pro football teams have used the song for similar purposes, but the Packers still do it the best.

Also known as "Roll Out the Barrel," this famed polka has been a staple in Wisconsin. Whether professional or collegiate sports, the "Beer Barrel Polka" can be heard often in a state that celebrates beer and cheese more than any other. However, it's a spectacle at Brewers' games, where the tune is sung during the seventh inning of home games after the more traditional "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," with beloved mascot Bernie Brewer leading the way.

Scottish rockers The Fratellis delivered the musical gift that keeps on giving within sports venues around the globe. A major hit in the United Kingdom upon its 2006 release, "Chelsea Dagger" soon dominated pop culture. It could be heard in commercials and sports, notably as an anthem for Scottish football club Celtic, The Fratellis' preferred choice, and Chelsea. In America, it became the goal song for the Blackhawks in 2008-09 and grew massive popularity with the team's fan base during its run to the 2010 Stanley Cup.

Released in 1965 by The Standells, a Los Angeles-based proto-punk outfit, "Dirty Water" references a time when the Boston Harbor and Charles River were heavily polluted. The city has held the tune as an anthem, and the Bruins began playing it at home games in 1995. The Red Sox followed a couple of years later, and "Dirty Water" remains part of the Boston sports culture.

This Journey classic has long been a sports staple, but the Red Wings and Giants have made its use somewhat of a tradition. Due to the line, "Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit," the Red Wings incorporated the track during home games. Meanwhile, the song has been played during the eighth inning of Giants' games in their home park, which also happens to be the city Journey was formed, featuring Journey frontman Steve Perry in attendance. For good mention, the song also provided a rallying cry for the Chicago White Sox during their run to the 2005 World Series.

Many sports fans best remember this Metallica smash as Hall of Fame New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera's entrance music. Yet, since 2000, the blistering rocker has ushered the Virginia Tech football team onto the field at Lane Stadium. A packed house, bouncing up and down to the thundering opening of a song that continues to span generations more than 30 years after its release.

This was a top-30 hit for the Vibrations in 1964 and went No. 1 for the McCoys in 1965. The Ohio State marching band played it at home football games that same year. It was an immediate hit with the crowd, and the rest is musical sports-related history. The band usually plays "Hang on Sloopy" before the start of the fourth quarter while fans spell out the word O-H-I-O. It makes for quite the spectacle at the massive Ohio Stadium, "The Horseshoe." Some professional sports teams in Ohio also regularly play the song, but it will always be a tradition at Ohio State.

The track is over 100 years old but still resonates in the sports world. Written in 1918, it was a hit for Ben Selvin's Novelty Orchestra a year later, though others such as Vera Lynn, Doris Day, and Frank Fontaine have recorded versions. However, to supporters of English football, the tune is probably best known as the anthem for West Ham United. While it has long been debated as to when the song was officially adopted by that fanbase, it's been a staple at West Ham home fixtures since the 1940s. Fans have also been known to blow bubbles while the song is played. 

The Van Halen classic remains on regular rotation in arenas, stadiums, and ballparks everywhere. The original version of the NHL's Winnipeg Jets blared "Jump" when taking the ice during home games before the franchise relocated to Arizona. Similar to when the Cubs took to Wrigley Field during the mid-1980s — notably during the team's run to the NL East division title. Meanwhile, the song was also used to intro game broadcasts on WGN-TV. The Cubs still play "Jump" at various points during home games.

There might not be a better fan spectacle in sports than the sea of red and white jumping around to the House of Pain hit from 1992. It's played during the third and fourth quarters at the University of Wisconsin football games in Camp Randall stadium. It sends the crowd into a massive frenzy, especially in the student section.

It's the Killers' signature tune from 2003's debut Hot Fuss and somehow became part of the Michigan football game-day experience at The Big House. According to mlive.com, the track was first played at Michigan Stadium during the 2016 season. Though the student section really gets into the vocals, it's not uncommon for most of the 115,000-plus spectators to join in on one of the newest and most unique elements of the college football experience.

How many casual pop culture and sports fans know that "New York, New York" is the theme from the 1977 film by the same name, directed by Martin Scorsese? Liza Minnelli performed the song in the movie, and that version was played after the Yankees lost a home game. However, Frank Sinatra's beloved performance is the one heard regardless of the game's outcome these days. It's a special moment for Yankees fans and downright annoying for opponent supporters watching from the big ballpark in the Bronx. 

Styx is one of the most underrated arena rock bands. The original band members hailed from Chicago's South Side, but "Renegade," with lead vocals courtesy of guitarist Tommy Shaw, has been part of Pittsburgh Steelers' home games since the early 2000s during the playoffs. The song is played to fire up the home crowd between the third and fourth quarters and has an even more powerful impact if the game is close and the Steelers need some support.

"And now, the starting the lineup for your Chicago Bulls." To Chicago Bulls fans, those words are as much a memorable part of the team's home-game experience as checking out the Michael Jordan statue and cheering on the antics of Benny the Bull. The Bulls' starting lineup is introduced with the underlaid sounds of this Alan Parsons Project instrumental, which segues into the hit "Eye in the Sky." It started during the mid-1980s when Jordan was helping build a dynasty, but various cover versions of the tune have been used for the last several years.

While the classic Neil Diamond gem has been a regular sing-a-long moment during the middle of the eighth inning at Red Sox home games since the early 2000s, it's also been played at the home of the Carolina Panthers since 1996. The latter tends to be forgotten by those outside the Charlotte area and the Panthers fandom. When getting everyone out of their seats and singing in unison, "Sweet Caroline" always delivers. 

West Virginians embraced this John Denver hit almost immediately after its 1971 release. Though the song mentions "West Virginia," the state wasn't necessarily the inspiration for the tune. However, it's been part of the state's cultural fabric for over 50 years. West Virginia University began playing the song at home football games during the 1972 season and has never stopped. The post-game sing-a-long is special. Yes, the track is played at other Mountaineers' sporting events, but Mountaineer Field is truly where it's at.

To certain middle-aged baseball fans, this Sister Sledge hit might be best remembered as the rallying cry for the Pirates' run to the 1979 World Series title. "We Are Family" was proudly pumped in at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium on game days and throughout the city and surrounding area to bring a fan base together for one of the best postseason runs in sports history. At the center of it all was Pirates legend Willie Stargell, affectionately known as "Pops."

Considering Oasis hails from Manchester, it makes sense that arguably the band's biggest hit would be the song traditionally played post-match at Man City home games. The song has also found soccer popularity across the pond in the United States. Since entering MLS in 2017, the tune has also been a staple at Minnesota United FC home matches. The faction responsible for MNUFC's supporter groups is known as "MNWonderwall."

From 1945's popular show Carousel, "You'll Never Walk Alone" has been covered and covered again. While several European club football teams have incorporated the song during their game-day routine, nobody does it better than mighty Liverpool. Even the club's coat-of-arms includes the title of the song. Catching a Liverpool match live at Anfield is one of the great fan experiences in sports. One is guaranteed to get the chills during a rousing rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone."