Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Songs that hype up the athlete entrance at school sports festivals

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.

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 athletes’ entrance (11–20)

ANTENNAMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE「ANTENNA」Official Music Video

ANTENNAMrs. GREEN APPLE

Brimming with a dynamic rock energy, this track is perfect as an exit song for a sports day! Featured on the album “ANTENNA,” the song was released by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE in July 2023.

Throughout, the forward-looking message and hope-filled lyrics leave a strong impression.

It’s a work that lets you fully experience the bright, signature sound of Mrs.

GREEN APPLE.

With a four-on-the-floor kick drum driving a powerful beat and an up-tempo feel, it matches perfectly with scenes of jogging off the field.

Be sure to consider using this song as BGM for your sports day.

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migratory bird[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Wataridori (MV)

migratory bird[Alexandros]

The 10th single that brought [Alexandros] widespread recognition.

Famous for its many tie-ins with TV shows and commercials, this song is the perfect number for gearing up to compete at a school sports day or athletic festival.

Its simple yet catchy guitar riff gives the intro a refreshing, fast-paced feel, and the high-tone vocals in the chorus crank up the excitement.

The rhythm crafted by the bass and drums gives you a push from behind, making it a catchy track that fits perfectly whether you play it before an event starts or right in the middle of the action.

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Hoshino Takashi

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A view I’ve never seen beforeSuda Masaki

Masaki Suda “A Scenery I’ve Never Seen”

A view I've never seen beforeSuda Masaki

This is Masaki Suda’s debut track, packed with passion through its driving rock sound and powerful vocals.

Released in June 2017, the song earnestly portrays people who keep moving forward even while covered in mud.

Its message, full of determination and passion toward the future, was featured in au’s “au BLUE CHALLENGE” series and resonated with many listeners.

The track is included on the album “PLAY” and garnered high acclaim, reaching No.

3 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

It’s also perfect as entrance music for athletes at school sports days, gently yet powerfully pushing forward everyone who is striving to face ahead.

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Telephoto MarchBUMP OF CHICKEN

BUMP OF CHICKEN 'Telephoto March'

Telephoto MarchBUMP OF CHICKEN

BUMP OF CHICKEN is a band that captivates listeners with universally resonant lyrics lit by distinctive turns of phrase and vivid soundscapes.

Their track “Bouen no March” was released digitally in 2018.

It gives the impression of a well-balanced mix between the early BUMP vibe and the shimmering polish of their post-breakthrough era.

Lyrics that make you feel “I’ve practiced—don’t worry,” along with a melody that seems to sprint forward, will lighten your heart while feeling utterly pleasant.

With its richly propulsive sound, it seems perfect for hyping up an entrance scene!

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breakthroughSUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER “Toppakō” MV (TV anime Haikyu!! TO THE TOP, 2nd cour opening theme)

breakthroughSUPER BEAVER

This song expresses the power of taking on challenges through forceful vocals and a fiery band sound.

Its lyrics, which call for facing things head-on and living life to the fullest, pierce the listener’s heart.

The passionate performances by the band members and the message that inspires the courage to move forward are beautifully harmonized in this track.

Included on a single released by Sony Music Records in October 2020, it was selected as the opening theme for the second cour of the anime Haikyu!! TO THE TOP.

With a powerful sound and strong messaging that epitomize SUPER BEAVER, this song is highly recommended to hype up entrance scenes at school sports days and athletic festivals.

It ignites the fighting spirit of competing athletes and stirs the hearts of the audience.

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No.1DISH//

DISH// – No.1 [Official Video] (TV Anime “My Hero Academia” Season 5 Opening Theme / MY HERO ACADEMIA OPENING THEME)

No.1DISH//

The 13th single by DISH//, a four-member dance-rock band, which was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime My Hero Academia.

From the intro, its intense beats and guitar sound amp up the energy, showcasing a different side of DISH//’s appeal from their huge hit Neko.

Starting with an A-melody featuring piano and building to a chorus with catchy melodies and cool guitar riffs, it’s a rock tune that gets you pumped up unconditionally.

It’s the perfect track to raise your spirits before a big challenge—ideal as entrance music for sports days and school athletic festivals.

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Hoshino Takashi

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[Sports Day / Athletic Festival] Songs That Hype Up the Athlete Entrance (21–30)

Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Tomorrow Too”

Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO

It’s a friendly, feel-good cheer song that almost everyone has heard at least once.

Unusual among SHISHAMO’s works, it was created based on the excitement felt while watching a match of the soccer team Kawasaki Frontale.

Released in February 2017 as a track on the album “SHISHAMO 4,” it gained wide recognition through its tie-in with an NTT Docomo commercial.

Singing about the joy of meeting your dream heroes on the weekend and the energy you get from it, the song features warm lyrics that convey the support around you and hope for the future.

Even in tough or discouraging times, it’s a stirring track that gives you the courage and strength to look forward, and it resonates in moments when you step forward with power—such as the entrance at a sports day or the opening of a school athletic festival.

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