RAG MusicAthletics
Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Songs that hype up the athlete entrance at school sports festivals

For entrance BGM at sports days and athletic festivals, you want tracks that ignite your fighting spirit and instantly boost the excitement.

Having a different entrance song for each event definitely amps up the atmosphere.

For your picks, the classic marching tunes that are staples at sports days are great, of course, but recent J-pop hits are also highly recommended.

In this article, we’ll introduce songs that light a fire in your heart and get you motivated—perfect for entrances!

We’ve gathered tracks with a variety of vibes, so choose the ones that best match the participants’ ages and the feel of each event.

[Sports Day / Athletic Festival] Songs that hype up the athlete entrance (71–80)

GUTS !arashi

ARASHI – GUTS ! [Official Music Video]
GUTS !arashi

Arashi’s “GUTS!”—often used at school sports festivals—fills everyone with energy and a sense of unity the moment it starts playing, making it perfect for the closing ceremony.

It heightens the satisfaction of having taken part and the sense of accomplishment from the events, wrapping it all in an uplifting feeling.

With its lively, energetic rhythm, it’s great for ending with a group dance or some movement to enjoy that togetherness.

It might just make for a closing ceremony that leaves everyone excited for tomorrow.

Helloyama × bocchiboromaru

yama × Bocchi Boromaru “Hello” MV (TV anime “Pokémon” opening theme)
Helloyama × bocchiboromaru

A heartwarming collaborative piece by yama and Bocchi Boromaru, brimming with positive energy as a rousing anthem.

It carries a message that awakens hope for the future and a spirit of adventure, with a simple yet powerful melody that resonates deeply.

The song is approachable for a wide audience and was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Pokémon starting in October 2023.

In December 2023, it was released on CD in two formats: a standard edition and a limited-time production edition.

As a positive track that makes you want to sing along with someone, it’s perfect for cheering at sports days and athletic festivals.

Raise your voices together with friends under the blue sky, and it will surely become a wonderful memory.

Aim to be a Pokémon MasterMatsumoto Rika

A heart-pounding song filled with passion for dreams and adventure, highlighted by Rica Matsumoto’s powerful vocals.

It delivers a youthful, positive message, singing of the courage to face hardship and the bonds with friends—perfect for boosting excitement at school sports days and athletic festivals.

Released as a single in June 1997, it was used as the opening theme for a TV anime.

It won the Work Award at the Heisei Anisong Grand Prize and garnered widespread support, reaching as high as No.

7 on the Oricon charts.

Even when practice time is limited for a sports-day cheer song, its simple, easy-to-remember melody and lyrics mean the whole class can start singing it right away.

Baroque HoedownJean Jacques Perrey

This is a quintessential electronic music piece from the 1960s, notable for its distinctive Moog synthesizer tones.

Blending Baroque elements with a country-style rhythm, the unique composition features a bright, upbeat melody that lingers in the mind.

Included on the duo Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley’s 1967 album “Kaleidoscopic Vibrations: Electronic Pop Music From Way Out,” the work was adopted in June 1972 as the theme for Disneyland’s Main Street Electrical Parade and has been beloved by many ever since.

It’s a perfect choice for festive, celebratory occasions—such as parade entries at sports days or award ceremonies—guaranteed to fill the venue with a lively, cheerful atmosphere.

Critical HitRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – A Masterstroke [Official Music Video]
Critical HitRADWIMPS

This is a rock anthem packed with a grand message that resonates with young people, included by RADWIMPS in their December 2013 album “X to O to Tsumi to.” Riding on powerful guitar riffs and driving drum rhythms, it portrays the struggles and growth of a protagonist trying to find their own path in the midst of youth.

Its uncompromising alternative sound is brimming with energy, making it perfect for opening or closing ceremonies at school sports days.

The music video was filmed at Ageo Municipal Baseball Stadium in Saitama Prefecture and features a massive scale with 1,500 extras.

This work strongly supports students in the thick of their youth and those standing at life’s crossroads.

It’s the perfect song when you need the courage to take a new step forward.

Jamboree Mickey!Marco Marinangeli

[I Tried Dancing] Jamboree Mickey [Kindergarten, Elementary School, Sports Day, Recital, Gymnastics, Dance, I Tried Dancing]
Jamboree Mickey!Marco Marinangeli

A catchy, rhythmic song that thrills children.

Composed by Marco Marinangeli for a dance program featuring Disney characters.

The CD was released in December 2022, with digital distribution also available.

It was covered by Nogizaka46 on the 2019 FNS Uta no Natsu Matsuri, and featured in the special “Disney Special Medley” at the 73rd NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen.

With fun lyrics and dance moves, it’s something everyone—from kids to adults—can enjoy together.

Use it as an entrance song for a school sports day or athletic festival, and it’s sure to put smiles on everyone’s faces!

New Treasure IslandSakanakushon

Shin Takarajima / Sakanaction SIT Band - Sapporo International Information High School Wind Ensemble
New Treasure IslandSakanakushon

This lively song is brimming with the excitement of children embarking on unknown adventures.

Created by Sakanaction, it was produced in September 2015 as the theme song for the film Bakuman.

Its retro synthesizer tones and brisk beat are striking, evoking the sound of the late 1980s to early 1990s and making you feel as if you’ve time-traveled.

Giving you the courage to take a bold step toward the future, this track is perfect for a sports day entrance scene! It fills the entire venue with a bright mood and is a song that brings smiles to everyone’s faces.