song in the 2026 Nike Super Bowl commercial

Every year, the Super Bowl delivers more than just a football game; it's a cultural moment where advertising becomes entertainment. For one night, brands pull out all the stops, spending millions not just on airtime, but on crafting mini-masterpieces designed to make us laugh, cry, and most importantly, remember. And every year, millions of viewers are left with one burning question after a particularly powerful spot: "What was that incredible song?"

For Nike's highly anticipated 2026 Super Bowl LX commercial, titled "Move with Purpose," that question is on everyone's lips. The ad, which aired during the biggest broadcast of the year, masterfully blends stunning visuals of athletic dedication with a driving, energetic soundtrack that perfectly captures the spirit of perseverance. The marriage of image and sound is so seamless that the music becomes an invisible character, propelling the narrative forward.

If you've been searching for the track that made Nike's 2026 ad so memorable, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll dive deep into the song, the acclaimed band behind it, why their sound is a perfect match for the Swoosh, and how you can experience the full context of this year's best commercials.

The Heartbeat of "Move with Purpose": "The Runner" by Foals

The foundational track powering Nike's "Move with Purpose" is "The Runner" by the acclaimed English rock band Foals. This wasn't a random selection from a production music library; it was a deliberate choice to harness a specific kind of raw, intellectual energy.

Originally released in 2019 on their critically adored album Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 2, "The Runner" is a song built for momentum. To understand why it works so perfectly, you have to understand Foals. Formed in Oxford in 2005, the band—led by the charismatic frontman Yannis Philippakis—has spent nearly two decades refining a sound that is both intricate and explosive. They are often classified as indie rock or math rock, but their music transcends simple labels.

"The Runner" is a quintessential Foals track. It features their signature sonic blueprint:

Intricate, Math-Rock Influenced Guitar Riffs: The song opens with a circular, almost hypnotic guitar line that feels like it's constantly in motion. It’s not a simple power chord; it's a complex pattern that immediately signals intelligence and intention.
A Propulsive Rhythm Section: The drums and bass lock into a relentless, driving groove. It’s the sound of feet pounding the pavement, of a heart rate steadily climbing. This rhythmic foundation is what gives the song its undeniable sense of forward momentum.
Urgent, Soaring Vocals: Yannis Philippakis doesn't just sing the lyrics; he delivers them with a palpable sense of urgency and passion. His voice can shift from a tense whisper to a full-throated, stadium-filling roar, perfectly mirroring the internal battle of an athlete pushing through pain and doubt.

Lyrically, the song touches on themes of pursuit, determination, and resilience—themes that align so perfectly with Nike's brand ethos that it feels almost fated. Lines about running, chasing, and not giving up are woven into the fabric of the song, making it an anthem for anyone striving for a goal.

You can listen to the original version of the song here:

Foals - "The Runner" (Official Video):

Watch YouTube video

A Custom Remix for the Biggest Stage

It's important to note that the version of "The Runner" you hear in the 2026 Super Bowl commercial is not the exact album version. For a high-stakes, 60-second spot like this, brands like Nike rarely license a song and just drop it in. They work in close collaboration with world-class audio engineers and music supervisors to create a custom mix tailored to the ad's specific pacing, emotional beats, and narrative arc.

The Nike "Move with Purpose" commercial uses a specially produced remix. Think of it as a sonic scalpel instead of a sledgehammer. The original track runs for several minutes, with verses, choruses, and bridges that ebb and flow. For a 60-second commercial, every second is prime real estate that cost millions of dollars.

This custom edit likely deconstructs "The Runner" and rebuilds it for maximum dramatic impact. It probably:

Edits the song's structure to build towards the visual climaxes of the ad.
Emphasizes the driving drums during intense athletic sequences, like a sprinter exploding out of the blocks or a basketball player leaping for a dunk.
Isolates the soaring vocals for moments of personal triumph and quiet reflection, allowing the human element of the story to shine through.
Seamlessly integrates sound design, perhaps blending the song's rhythm with the sound of sneakers squeaking on a court or a swimmer gasping for air, creating a unified audio world.

This custom edit is the key to the ad's seamless and powerful audio-visual experience. The music doesn't feel like it's sitting on top of the images; it feels like it's emerging from within them.

While this specific remix isn't available for streaming, listening to the original "The Runner" gives you the core DNA of the track. To truly appreciate the raw energy and musicianship that inspired the Nike creative team, you can also watch the band perform it live. Foals are renowned for their electrifying live shows—they are a band that plays with the intensity of a punk group and the precision of a classical ensemble. "The Runner" is a setlist staple that showcases their ability to create a cathartic wall of sound.

Experience the energy of the song live:

Foals Live at Reading Festival:

Watch YouTube video

Why This Song Works for Nike: A Symbiotic Relationship

Choosing "The Runner" was a masterstroke of music supervision. On a surface level, the song's title alone is a perfect fit for a brand synonymous with running and athletic movement. But the connection goes far deeper than a convenient name.

Nike's entire marketing philosophy is built on the idea of "finding your greatness," a concept that's about the journey, not just the destination. "The Runner" is the sonic equivalent of that journey. The relentless, building rhythm mirrors an athlete's internal experience—the steady, grounding pace of a long run, the mental push through the wall of fatigue, and the explosive, all-out sprint to the finish line. It’s a song that doesn't just describe movement; it feels like movement.

In the context of "Move with Purpose," the music doesn't just accompany the images; it becomes the feeling of the effort. It transforms the commercial from a simple showcase of athletes into an emotional experience about the drive, the sacrifice, and the purpose behind every drop of sweat. It connects the viewer to the internal world of the athlete, fostering a sense of empathy and shared humanity. This is the hallmark of great advertising: making the viewer feel something authentic.

Where to See the Full Commercial and the Best of Super Bowl LX

You can watch Nike's "Move with Purpose" in its full context within a compilation of the best ads from Super Bowl LX. These compilations are a yearly tradition, a digital water cooler where viewers can catch all the most-talked-about spots in one place, analyze them, and decide which ones were the real winners.

Watch the full ad and other 2026 Super Bowl commercials here:

Compilation of 2026 Super Bowl Ads:

Watch YouTube video

In this extensive compilation, you'll see how Nike's emotionally charged spot stands alongside a diverse range of other major brands. The 2026 Super Bowl ad slate was particularly fascinating, offering a snapshot of the cultural and technological zeitgeist. You can expect to see:

Humor-Driven Spots: Beloved brands like Pringles and Budweiser likely continued their traditions of using humor and heart to connect with audiences.
The Rise of AI: As noted in the video's description, 2026 marked a significant moment with AI companies like Anthropic advertising during the Super Bowl for the first time. These ads moved beyond simple product demos to explore the philosophical and practical implications of AI in our daily lives, sparking conversations about the future.
Direct-to-Consumer Edginess: Brands like Hims and MANSCAPED brought their signature direct, often edgy, communication style to the mainstream audience, pushing the boundaries of what's acceptable in a Super Bowl ad.
Cinematic Storytelling: High-production-value ads from car manufacturers and tech companies turned commercial breaks into mini-movies, showcasing stunning cinematography and narrative ambition.

Watching Nike's "Move with Purpose" alongside these other ads highlights what makes it unique: its restraint and its focus on a universal, human truth, all powered by a truly exceptional piece of music.

Conclusion: The Sound of Purpose

The partnership between a powerful visual and the right song is the alchemy that elevates a great commercial to an unforgettable one. It's the difference between a message that is seen and a message that is felt. For Nike's "Move with Purpose," that song was "The Runner" by Foals.

Its driving force, intricate musicianship, and themes of relentless pursuit provided the perfect heartbeat for a commercial celebrating athletes who find meaning in their motion. It reminded us that purpose is not a destination, but a continuous, rhythmic journey.

So, the next time you watch the spot, you'll know exactly who to thank for that incredible soundtrack. You can now dive into Foals' impressive discography to find more music that moves you, and appreciate the thoughtful, collaborative process that brings together sound and vision on the world's biggest advertising stage.

Would you like to explore the music behind other famous commercials or learn more about the band Foals?

What is the song in the 2026 Nike Super Bowl commercial?

The Heartbeat of "Move with Purpose": "The Runner" by Foals

A Custom Remix for the Biggest Stage

Why This Song Works for Nike: A Symbiotic Relationship

Where to See the Full Commercial and the Best of Super Bowl LX

Conclusion: The Sound of Purpose