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.
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Sports Day/Athletic Festival: Crowd-Pleasing Entrance Songs for Athletes (31–40)
When the Saints Go Marching In
For an entrance brimming with energy, there’s nothing better than “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Although it’s a tune often heard at school sports days and various athletic events, it originally began as an African American spiritual.
In Japan, it’s also known by the title “The Saints Come Marching to Town,” and it’s a piece frequently performed by wind ensembles and marching bands.
Its stately yet cheerful melody is sure to make any athletes’ entrance lively and upbeat.
Having the school band perform it live for your entrance is highly recommended.
Olympic MarchKoseki Yūji
Mr.
Yuji Koseki, who composed “Hanshin Tigers’ Song,” which is also famous as the oldest team song among Japan’s 12 professional baseball clubs.
His “Olympic March” was performed as the entrance music at the 18th Olympic Games held in Tokyo in 1964.
The piece is especially memorable for its rich brass fanfares and the xylophone melody in the middle section.
With the theme of lively vitality, it is a bright and majestic march worthy of enhancing a glittering grand stage, a piece that brings comfort and courage to people’s hearts.
Party!!Ryokushokushakai
A song with a charmingly fresh and lively sound.
Released in 2024 as the ninth single, it was chosen as the ending theme for the anime “Delicious in Dungeon.” The lyrics are sprinkled with words related to “food,” expressing bonds and gratitude toward special people and friends.
The message, sung over a pop melody, fills listeners with bright energy.
It’s the perfect track for making a group entrance together—guaranteed to get the venue buzzing!
Racing into the NightYOASOBI
A male-female duo that took the J-POP scene by storm in 2020, YOASOBI’s first digital-only single.
With lyrics based on a novel and music composed using VOCALOID, it’s a track that could be seen as emblematic of today’s music scene.
Its brisk, thrilling piano and clear, driving vocals are perfect for pumping you up before a competition.
Just like the title suggests, it’s an ideal song for running.
Rocky Theme: Gonna Fly NowBill Conti
A song that served as the theme for the film Rocky, composed by Bill Conti, with lyrics by Carol Connors and Ayn Robbins, and performed by DeEtta West and Nelson Pigford.
Rocky is one of Sylvester Stallone’s signature works and a landmark American boxing film that, since its 1975 release, has developed into a series.
This theme has been used throughout the series and is an essential element of the franchise.
It has been arranged for concert band and other ensembles and is still frequently performed in concerts today.
[Sports Day/Athletic Festival] Songs that hype up the athletes’ parade (41–50)
IdeaHoshino Gen
This song was used as the theme for NHK’s morning drama series “Half, Blue.” Its sound is characteristically cheerful and upbeat in Hoshino Gen’s style, as if encouraging us to keep smiling and moving forward even in the face of difficulties.
Many parents of elementary, junior high, and high school students likely watch NHK’s morning dramas, so how about using it as the entrance music for events involving parents, or for events where parents and children participate together? I’m sure it would make for a warm, pleasant entrance.
By the way, the choreography for the dance scenes in the music video was done by none other than Daichi Miura.
rainbowFukuyama Masaharu
Released in 2003, this song became a major hit as the theme for the drama WATER BOYS, and remains a beloved classic for many.
Centered on the theme of “surpassing,” the lyrics express a strong will to pursue dreams and goals, supported by love and hope.
The unique sound effects and guitar work in the first verse are also noteworthy.
With various arranged versions and inclusion on best-of albums, it’s safe to say this is one of Fukuyama’s signature songs.
This track, which gives you the courage to keep moving forward, is perfect for players’ entrance scenes.