[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!
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[Sports Day Cheering Songs] A roundup of classic cheer songs and recommended parody songs [2026] (31–40)
peace signYonezu Kenshi
Raise your fist high in the air—absolutely! This song is by singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu, known for hits like “Lemon” and “Kanden,” and it was released as a single in 2017.
It was used as the opening theme for the anime My Hero Academia, which is based on a Jump manga.
The way the song builds up toward the chorus is so cool.
As the music swells, your own excitement rises with it.
It seems perfect for a parody cheer song in individual competitions.
IdeaHoshino Gen
This song begins with a playful, rolling marimba tone.
It’s by Gen Hoshino, a singer-songwriter who’s also a popular actor.
Chosen as the theme song for the NHK morning drama “Half Blue” (Hanbun, Aoi), it became a hot topic and was released as a digital single in 2018.
Its fast-paced tempo makes it perfect as a cheering song for the 100-meter dash or relays.
Since the lyrics mention color names, it might be fun to change them to match your team’s color when you sing it.
Summer Colorsyuzu
The debut single by Yuzu, the folk duo consisting of Yujin Kitagawa and Koji Iwasawa.
With a refreshing melody perfect for summer, it’s a classic that feels pleasant and easy for anyone to hum along to! It was used as the approach melody at Keikyu Main Line’s Kamiōoka Station and in commercials for Lotte’s ice cream “Sō.” Beyond the duo’s fresh vocals, the lyrics evoke youthful memories, making it a great pick for school festivals.
Since tight harmonies are a hallmark of the song, performing it on stage is sure to get the crowd excited.
crimsonX JAPAN
A great recommendation for the Red Team’s cheer song at a sports day is “Kurenai” by X Japan.
It’s a single released in 1989 and one of X Japan’s signature tracks.
It’s also beloved as a cheer song for high school baseball, and the brass band arrangements are especially striking.
Don’t you think the lyrics about running and shouting are perfect for a sports day? It might also work well to change some of the chorus lyrics—like replacing “kurenai” (crimson) with “Red Team” and “to comfort” with “to defeat.” Definitely consider using it as the Red Team’s cheer song!
Mystical, Mysterious Adventure!Takahashi Hiroki
Released in 1986, “Makafushigi Adventure!” is one of the songs used as the theme for the anime Dragon Ball.
It’s sung by Hiroki Takahashi, who’s also known as the vocalist of COME ON BABY.
While the sound is simple, the powerful vocals and lyrics about setting off on an adventure make it perfect for school sports days.
If you’re singing it as a parody, try replacing the lyrics—especially the parts that are also the anime’s title—with words related to a sports festival.
[Sports Day Cheer Songs] Summary of Classic Cheer Songs and Recommended Parodies [2026] (41–50)
Joyfulikimonogakari
Ikimono-gakari’s song “Joyful” is energetic and exciting—perfect for a fight song! It’s often used in high school baseball, so you may have heard brass bands play it at the ballpark.
The dance from the music video is also used at school sports days.
The chorus lyrics have a great rhythm, so you can easily swap in your school or class name and it’ll still sing well.
Give it a try for your cheer battles and more!
Rocky Themebirukonti
It’s a classic known as a pinnacle of sports music.
With its exhilarating, powerful brass section and a melody that resonates with those who strive, this piece delivers a universal message of effort and challenge.
Composed for a film released in 1977, Bill Conti crafted it with great care to fit the scenes perfectly, all within a limited budget of $25,000.
It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Ideal as a cheer song for school sports days and athletic events, it’s widely loved as an encouraging anthem that most people have heard at least once and that boosts the determination to keep going.