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’ parade (41–50)

One Heartatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu

ATARASHII GAKKO! – One Heart (Official Music Video)

One Heartatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu

This is a new cheer song by Atarashii Gakko! that stresses the importance of coming together as one, delivered with a powerful message.

It gives a push to those looking ahead and moving forward, while conveying the importance of keeping your smile even amid worries.

The music video, filmed with about 300 fan club members, unfolds in a gymnasium with a breathtaking performance amid a flurry of confetti.

Released in March 2025, the track is also featured in a new Bourbon commercial, showcasing a new side of the group who have built a unique world with their albums “Ma-Ningen” and “Wakage Gaitaru.” It’s perfect not only as a theme song for school and cultural festivals, but also as an uplifting anthem for anyone starting a new chapter in life.

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DynamiteBTS

BTS (방탄소년단) ‘Dynamite’ Official MV

DynamiteBTS

A song by BTS, a seven-member South Korean hip-hop group supported by listeners around the world.

Since its release in 2020, it became a hit that topped the U.S.

Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks.

Incorporating elements of funk and soul, its sound evokes 1970s disco-pop, making it a sure-fire crowd-pleaser that will energize both competitors and supporters during parade entries at school sports days and athletic festivals.

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Hoshino Takashi

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SMILE ~Like a Clear, Sunlit Sky~Kuwata Keisuke

Keisuke Kuwata “SMILE ~Like a Clear Blue Sky~” Commercial Broadcasters Official Special Movie (Joint Commercial Broadcasters Project ‘Let’s Do It Together’ Support Song)

SMILE ~Like a Clear, Sunlit Sky~Kuwata Keisuke

This song was produced as a support anthem for the joint commercial TV project “Let’s Do It Together.” Created by Mr.

Kuwata, who has brought countless masterpieces into the world, it features a modern sound with a charming touch of nostalgia.

Above all, the warm, encouraging message woven into the lyrics grabs our hearts and won’t let go.

As such a heartwarming cheer song, it’s also perfect as an entrance theme—you can just picture the athletes proudly and confidently making their way in!

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paprikaFoorin

[Paprika] Dance Music Video | Foorin × Kenshi Yonezu | NHK

paprikaFoorin

Foorin’s song “Paprika,” which also appeared on the 2019 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and became a sensation, had kids everywhere unable to resist dancing the moment they heard it.

We often saw adorable videos on social media of children dancing to Paprika in front of the TV.

How about choosing such a happy tune as the entrance song to brighten up your special day? If you use it as the entrance BGM for athletes at an elementary school, kindergarten, or preschool sports day, it’s sure to make the atmosphere wonderfully cheerful!

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Murakami Shinpei

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My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Zenzenzense (movie ver.) [Official Music Video]

My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS

Alongside being written as an insert song for the film Your Name and becoming a massive hit, Zenzenzense was released by the rock band RADWIMPS in 2016, unfolding a story that matches the film’s worldview.

The sound, kicking off with a passionate guitar riff, is sure to liven up various moments at a sports day.

It’s also great for cheering on friends tackling events like relays or group jump rope with its exhilarating, high-speed energy.

A rock number that refreshingly colors a stage burning with excitement.

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Kaikai KitanEVE

Kaikai Kitan – Eve MV

Kaikai KitanEVE

A work by Eve that stands out for its exhilarating sound and vocals that feel like an incantation.

Centered on themes of facing oneself and the strength to overcome darkness, the song powerfully portrays the inner struggles of being human.

It opens with a heavy guitar riff and deftly depicts dark, complex emotions.

Its melodic chorus grips the listener and won’t let go.

Released in October 2020 and used as the opening theme for the first season of the anime Jujutsu Kaisen, this track gives you strength when you want to steel yourself for an important match or competition, and when you want to ignite your fighting spirit together with your teammates.

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CharacterRyokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Character' Official Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Character

CharacterRyokushokushakai

This song is by Ryokuoushoku Shakai, a pop band known for their charmingly colorful world.

It’s a cheer song packed with messages that celebrate individuality and boost self-esteem, weaving into the lyrics the meaning of being born and the value of existence without comparing oneself to others.

It’s a track included on the album “Actor,” released in January 2022, and it was also used in the “Juken ni in Jelly 2022” commercial.

I’d love for kids who are active in school events to listen to it! Its bright melody and uplifting words make it approachable even for younger elementary school students, and it’s a perfect fit for a kindergarten or nursery school sports day parachute routine.

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