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Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Sports Day Cheer Songs] A roundup of classic cheer anthems and recommended parody-song picks [2026]

Cheer songs and background music are essential for sports days and athletic festivals! Classic staples that make you want to start running the moment you hear them are a given, but it’s also long been common to rewrite the lyrics of popular J-pop songs and sing them as parodies.

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of Japanese songs that are perfect for cheering at school sports events! Of course, we’ve also picked out songs that will hype up the crowd even if you sing them as-is.

Be sure to read through to the end!

[Sports Day Cheer Songs] Summary of Classic Cheer Songs and Recommended Parodies [2026] (141–150)

Paradise GalaxyHikaru GENJI

Hikaru Genji - Paradise Galaxy (1988)
Paradise GalaxyHikaru GENJI

It was released in 1988 as Hikaru Genji’s third single.

The single became Hikaru Genji’s biggest hit and sold over a million copies.

With this song, they won the 30th Japan Record Award at the end of 1988, and in 1989 it was selected as the entrance march for the 61st National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament.

Even today, it remains a staple cheer song for high school baseball.

Tomorrow as wellMUSH&Co.

MUSH&Co. – Ashita mo (MUSIC VIDEO) <Film: The Liar and His Lover>
Tomorrow as wellMUSH&Co.

A song released by a fictional band from a popular manga that came to life with a live-action film adaptation.

It features the clear, straightforward vocals of Sakurako Ohara, who won the lead role through an audition, and its appealing, upbeat and positive lyrics.

It’s a track that lifts listeners’ spirits.

Clap your handsNICO Touches the Walls

NICO Touches the Walls - “Clap Your Hands”
Clap your handsNICO Touches the Walls

The 9th single by NICO Touches the Walls, released in 2011.

Since it was also used in a cell phone commercial, many of you have probably heard it.

It’s an upbeat pop song that’s sure to get everyone hyped as a fight song!

[Sports Day Cheer Songs] A roundup of classic cheer anthems and recommended parody-song picks [2026] (151–160)

WE CAN!Adachi Kana

Kana Adachi “WE CAN!” (Music Video)
WE CAN!Adachi Kana

Released in 2019, this song—Kana Adachi’s fifth single—became the “Júbilo Iwata 2019 Season Song” and gained popularity.

It includes a call-and-response phrase for everyone to sing together, making it a song that can unite hearts.

When children and adults sing it together, their voices become a powerful cheer that will surely give someone a gentle push forward!

IMPACTUVERworld

UVERworld 『IMPACT』
IMPACTUVERworld

Blazing hot! UVERworld’s tracks are the kind of live-band music even guys fall for.

These songs are often played at concerts and festivals, and they’re perfect for going all out.

The melodies make you want to sing, jump, and go wild—guaranteed to get you fired up.

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 is a mid-tempo song by Keisuke Kuwata, written as the support anthem for the joint commercial TV project “Let’s Do It Together 2020.” It teaches us the beauty of taking each other’s hands and walking together—even with those we usually compete against.

With its refreshing vibe, it’s great as a cheer song and also pairs well with gentler dance routines.

There’s something wonderful about people working hard under a clear, wide-open sky, sweating and giving it their all, isn’t there? And of course, beyond just listening, try singing and dancing along with the kids, too.

Galop of the ClownsD.B.kabarefusukī

D. B. Kabalevsky / Suite “The Comedians” – No. 2: Galop
Galop of the ClownsD.B.kabarefusukī

This is a classic BGM often heard at sports days and athletic festivals.

I remember hearing it frequently during events like ball rolling and tamaire (ball toss).

It really makes you feel like you have to roll faster and beat the other team! This is also a staple cheer song and a great choice for parody lyrics.