[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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- [Youth Songs] Songs that liven up sports days and athletic festivals. Music that adds color to the event.
- Recommended cheer-up songs for middle schoolers: Classic Japanese hits that will empower student life
- [To All Athletes] Inspirational Sports Anthems & Empowering Theme Songs
- Before a match or when you feel like giving up! Cheer songs to keep you going in club activities
- Let's send our teammates a powerful cheer! A roundup of cheer calls for sports day.
[Sports Day Cheering Songs] A roundup of classic cheer songs and recommended tracks for parody versions [2026] (51–60)
strong wind slicked-back hairyukopi
Yukopi, a Vocaloid producer, released a song in 2023 called “Gale-Force Slicked-Back Hair.” It depicts the situation of going out on a windy day and having your hair blown back into a slicked-back style.
Its addictive hook led to many people imitating it by singing and dancing.
How about playing this as a cheer song at your sports day? It could also be fun to turn it into a parody tailored to the event.
For example, you could match classic events like the relay to the chorus lyrics for a creative twist.
Don’t give upZARD
“Makenaide” is a smash hit that represents the 1990s and propelled ZARD into a popular band.
It’s an uplifting anthem that energizes you no matter the situation, and many people have surely drawn courage from it.
“Makenaide” is also a great pick as a cheer song for school sports days.
The chorus lyrics are perfect for kids giving their all and enjoying the event! You could even swap parts of the lyrics with your class name or teams like the Red Team and White Team to get everyone even more excited.
Try making your own parody version and use it as a sports day cheer song!
Soldier, run.B’z
Created as the official support song for Japan’s national rugby team by Lipovitan D and also featured in Lipovitan D’s commercials, B’z’s “Tsuwamono, Hashiru” (“Soldiers, Run”) is included on their 21st album, NEW LOVE, released in 2019.
As the title suggests, its powerful sound is sure to fire up any school sports day!
Current destructionSPYAIR
A song that became the theme for the feature film of a wildly popular anime series.
Its lyrics, which closely resonate with the story, and its intense, straightforward melody are deeply moving and loved by anime fans.
It’s a track that showcases SPYAIR’s hallmark appeal: honest lyrics and a powerful, sincere vocal performance.
[Sports Day Cheer Songs] A roundup of classic cheer anthems and recommended parody songs [2026] (61–70)
Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN
A number marked by distinctive lyrics and guitar phrases.
This song was newly written as the ending theme for the anime Blood Blockade Battlefront.
UNISON SQUARE GARDEN is a three-piece band under Sony Music Artists that has been active since 2004.
The message seems to be: even though each passing day has its ups and downs, keep moving yourself toward whatever makes your heart race with excitement! It feels like the song is cheering on anyone doing their best day by day.
One moreFUNKY MONKEY BABYS
When it comes to “cheer songs,” many of you might think of this one.
It’s a track by the music group FUNKY MONKEY BABYS, known for hits like “Arigatou” and “Kokuhaku,” and it was released in 2010 as their 14th single.
Chosen as the support song for the 92nd National High School Baseball Championship, it’s a favorite among high school baseball fans.
The upbeat tempo might be perfect for the final events of a sports day.
Try coming up with a parody version to hype up the climax!
Dragon NightSEKAI NO OWARI
A signature song by SEKAI NO OWARI, and it also marked their first appearance on the Kouhaku music show.
The build-up from the opening to the chorus is superb, and when the other sounds fade in, everyone can have fun jumping to the beat! The lyrics convey the idea of “the battle coming to an end,” so it’s a perfect track for the finale.