[Sports Day Cheer Songs] A roundup of classic cheer songs and recommended tracks for parody versions
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!
Playlist
| [Sports Day Cheer Songs] A roundup of classic cheer songs and recommended tracks for parody versions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | Mrs. … delicately depicts the brilliance and bitterness of youth. |
| 2 | Yes, with pleasure.kocchi no kento |  play_arrow | Kochi Kento’s cheer song, “Giri Giri Dance” |
| 3 | One Heartatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu |  play_arrow | A powerful song that cheers on youth is born. |
| 4 | idolYOASOBI |  play_arrow | The opening theme of the anime “Oshi no Ko”... |
| 5 | Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts |  play_arrow | A rhapsody depicting a magical world with a muscle-bound protagonist |
| 6 | Love will winKAN |  play_arrow | Known as one of KAN’s popular songs… |
| 7 | Rocky Themebirukonti |  play_arrow | A classic of sports music that supports the striving heart |
| 8 | 100% CourageNYC |  play_arrow | The opening theme of the TV anime 'Nintama Rantarō'... |
| 9 | Maru Maru Mori MoriKaoru to Tomoki, tama ni Mukku. |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song with bright, uplifting lyrics |
| 10 | Mystical, Mysterious Adventure!Takahashi Hiroki |  play_arrow | The game 'Maka Fushigi A...' released in 1986 |
| 11 | Joyfulikimonogakari |  play_arrow | Ikimono-gakari’s song “Joyful” has an energetic… |
| 12 | Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI |  play_arrow | In 2023, SEKAI NO OWARI... |
| 13 | to youMONGOL800 |  play_arrow | MONGOL800’s signature song “Anata ni” is… |
| 14 | Full of dreamsSeki Yumiko |  play_arrow | Released in 1990, performed by Yumiko Seki… |
| 15 | Heaven and HellOfufenbakku |  play_arrow | A song that boasts overwhelming power and brilliance, with a hint of Greek... |
| 16 | Happinessarashi |  play_arrow | The smash hit number by the nationally beloved idol group, Arashi… |
| 17 | together; along with; bothWANIMA |  play_arrow | WANI has completely become a household favorite... |
| 18 | ultra soulB’z |  play_arrow | A powerful rock sound and a message that pierces the heart… |
| 19 | RPGSEKAI NO OWARI |  play_arrow | The movie “Crayon Shin-chan: Bakauma! B… |
| 20 | I am the strongest.Ado |  play_arrow | Motoki Omori of Mrs. GREEN APPLE... |
| 21 | MiracleGReeeeN |  play_arrow | “Kiseki” sung by GReeeeN is high school baseball… |
| 22 | William Tell OvertureRosshīni |  play_arrow | Within the grand tale woven by the orchestral music, a powerful... |
| 23 | A view I’ve never seen beforeSuda Masaki |  play_arrow | An emo(tional) feeling that makes you want to sing and scream until your voice gives out… |
| 24 | IdeaHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | This piece begins with a rolling marimba tone... |
| 25 | NIPPONShiina Ringo |  play_arrow | Energetic, motivational E... that makes you fired up to win at the sports day |
| 26 | Let’s give it a tryWANIMA |  play_arrow | I want to beat my opponent, I want to win with my teammates, and up until now… |
| 27 | AgainWANIMA |  play_arrow | Listening to it fills me with motivation and energy... |
| 28 | GUTSarashi |  play_arrow | A class me… that shines at the sports day where the entire student body gathers |
| 29 | Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | The youth-themed ... featuring Yuto Sano and Wakana Aoi |
| 30 | The Star-Spangled Banner ForeverJohn Philip Sousa |  play_arrow | American classic march, Pomp and Circumstance |
| 31 | FateOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | The students have been preparing for the sports day… |
| 32 | OH!SHISHAMO |  play_arrow | A three-piece girls’ band from Kanagawa Prefecture, SH… |
| 33 | Full-Power BoySukima Suichi |  play_arrow | In this 2005 release by Sukima Switch... |
| 34 | paprikaYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Try singing together while dancing, everyone!… |
| 35 | Summer Colorsyuzu |  play_arrow | The duo Fo— composed of Yujin Kitagawa and Koji Iwasawa... |
| 36 | Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO |  play_arrow | The girls band SHISHAM from Kanagawa… |
| 37 | peace signYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Raise your fist high in the air—by all means. “Lem… |
| 38 | CharacterRyokushokushakai |  play_arrow | The four-member rock band Ryokuoushoku Shakai has released... |
| 39 | Wake up!AAA |  play_arrow | An upper-ch… perfect for a sunny day at a sports festival... |
| 40 | crimsonX JAPAN |  play_arrow | X is recommended as the cheer song for the Red Team at the sports festival… |
| 41 | We’ve gotta do what seems impossible.Sambomasutā |  play_arrow | I want to deliver my cheers to the players straight from the heart... |
| 42 | one thing or anotherFujii Takashi |  play_arrow | “Nandaka Nda” is by a comedy entertainer… |
| 43 | Limit-Break x SurvivorHikawa Kiyoshi |  play_arrow | In 2017, the TV anime Dragon Ball… |
| 44 | strong wind slicked-back hairyukopi |  play_arrow | Vocaloid producer Yukopi announced in 2023 and… |
| 45 | Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN |  play_arrow | A track marked by distinctive lyrics and guitar phrases... |
| 46 | Cry BabyOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | A passion-filled presence that dramatically transforms the atmosphere of the venue... |
| 47 | Don’t give upZARD |  play_arrow | “Makenai de” propelled ZARD to popularity as a band... |
| 48 | The Zero Sense10-FEET |  play_arrow | I can’t take my ears off that powerful guitar sound!… |
| 49 | School HeavenFingā 5 |  play_arrow | Anyone from the grandpa and grandma generation would... |
| 50 | Runnerbakufū suranpu |  play_arrow | Pioneered/Japan’s 1980s–90s music scene … |
| 51 | Zankyo SankaAimer |  play_arrow | In marquee events like relays and tug-of-war, there’s a thrilling sense of speed… |
| 52 | Kitearashi |  play_arrow | A message that makes hope for the future well up within me... |
| 53 | Galop of the ClownsD.B.kabarefusukī |  play_arrow | This is a classic BGM often heard at sports days and athletic festivals. |
| 54 | Csikos PostHermann Necke |  play_arrow | Speaking of sports days, there are lots of running events... |
| 55 | Odoru Pompoko RinB.B. Kuīnzu |  play_arrow | The o... of the popular anime Chibi Maruko-chan |
| 56 | Dragon NightSEKAI NO OWARI |  play_arrow | One of SEKAI NO OWARI’s signature songs, and with this track they made their first appearance on the Kouhaku Uta Gassen... |
| 57 | rainbowAqua Timez |  play_arrow | As Aqua Timez’s sixth single, ... |
| 58 | cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai |  play_arrow | Ai Otsuka’s second single in 2003 and… |
| 59 | StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | Heats up the opening of the thrilling sports day... |
| 60 | Current destructionSPYAIR |  play_arrow | It became the theme song for the theatrical film of the hugely popular anime series... |
| 61 | Sora-buneTOKIO |  play_arrow | Believe in your own strength and, even if clumsily, keep pushing forward… |
| 62 | One moreFUNKY MONKEY BABYS |  play_arrow | When asked, “Speaking of cheer songs,” this is what comes to mind… |
| 63 | migratory bird[Alexandros] | ![migratory bird[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/O_DLtVuiqhI/default.jpg) play_arrow | In recent years, in movie and drama theme songs and commercials, a la… |
| 64 | Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya |  play_arrow | “Aono Sumika” is the opening theme song for the anime Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory… |
| 65 | Soldier, run.B’z |  play_arrow | Lipovitan D's support song for the Japan national rugby team... |
| 66 | Ojamajo Carnival!!MAHO dō |  play_arrow | When it comes to bright and cute songs, 'Ojamajo...' comes to mind. |
| 67 | Again and againHinatazaka46 |  play_arrow | Cheer on the sports festival with a refreshing spirit that fires up both body and heart... |
| 68 | R.Y.U.S.E.I.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu |  play_arrow | Sandaime J Soul Brothers f… |
| 69 | room for growthCreepy Nuts |  play_arrow | They're also skilled at things like freestyle rap, but on music shows alone, they just can't quite... |
| 70 | Shanghai HoneyORANGE RANGE |  play_arrow | If you listen to it with a festival-like hype, then unconditionally... |
| 71 | RISING SUNEXILE |  play_arrow | I got to attend the students’ big day—their sports festival—and... |
| 72 | oneselfTani Yuuki |  play_arrow | The sports day, which is one of the biggest events of school life, is something that everyone... |
| 73 | ultra soulB’z |  play_arrow | Turn the sports day, overflowing with excitement, into something like a live concert venue... |
| 74 | A Tiny Bit of CourageFUNKY MONKEY BABYS |  play_arrow | FUNKY MONKEY BABYS’s 5… |
| 75 | YOUNG MAN (Y.M.C.A.)Saijō Hideki |  play_arrow | As the 28th single by Hideki Saijo, “1… |
| 76 | New EraAdo |  play_arrow | Anime film “ONE PIECE FILM… |
| 77 | YELL ~Yell~Kobukuro |  play_arrow | A ballad with a grand atmosphere that captures listeners’ hearts… |
| 78 | BelieveFolder5 |  play_arrow | The One Piece opening song, with its lively rhythm and positivity, is perfect for a sports day. |
| 79 | The wind is blowing.ikimonogakari |  play_arrow | As Japan’s theme song for the London Olympics… |
| 80 | PERFECT HUMANRADIO FISH |  play_arrow | The comedy duo Oriental Radio leads... |
| 81 | Space Battleship Yamato |  play_arrow | It's a classic high school baseball cheer song! But in what kind of situa... |
| 82 | TOMORROWMayo Okamoto |  play_arrow | The ultimate classic cheer song, “TOMORROW.”… |
| 83 | My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | It was written as an insert song for the film Your Name... |
| 84 | Give it some guts!!Urufuruzu |  play_arrow | Released in 1995, this song—synonymous with Ulfuls— |
| 85 | loveHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | One of Gen Hoshino’s signature songs, with a very... |
| 86 | Be kind to othersTHE BLUE HEARTS |  play_arrow | Japan’s leading punk band, THE BL… |
| 87 | DuelPENGUIN RESEARCH |  play_arrow | A rock band that has worked on many anime songs, ... |
| 88 | sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)SEKAI NO OWARI |  play_arrow | This song, too, was Japan’s Olympic theme song… |
| 89 | Yo-kai Exercise No. 1Dream5 |  play_arrow | The first ending theme of the anime Yo-kai Watch… |
| 90 | Mickey Mouse MarchBEAT CRUSADERS |  play_arrow | It's that familiar Mickey Mouse March... |
| 91 | Full driveKANA-BOON |  play_arrow | KANA-BOON’s third major single… |
| 92 | ROOFTOPS feat. Satoshi Fujiwara (Official HIGE DANDism)KERENMI |  play_arrow | Koichi Tsutaya, one of Japan’s leading producers… |
| 93 | Trace OrionUNISON SQUARE GARDEN |  play_arrow | The o... of the anime 'TIGER & BUNNY' |
| 94 | Aim to be a Pokémon MasterMatsumoto Rika |  play_arrow | Singing the spirit of adventure with Rica Matsumoto’s powerful vocals |
| 95 | Mela!Ryokushokushakai |  play_arrow | Looking for a cheer song that fits every scene of the sports day… |
| 96 | Further awayRemioromen |  play_arrow | Of the popular band Remioromen that everyone knows… |
| 97 | Share The LoveSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu |  play_arrow | Dance vocal group, Sandaime J So… |
| 98 | Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā |  play_arrow | Familiar songs from television and the Kōhaku Uta Gassen have been los... |
| 99 | Everyone is free.Half time Old |  play_arrow | The mobile carrier au’s Santaro series commercials... |
| 100 | BON VOYAGEBON BON BLANCO |  play_arrow | In the popular anime, the au— of ONE PIECE... |
| 101 | The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP |  play_arrow | It’s so spacious that you hardly need any further explanation. |
| 102 | BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s anime theme song depicts a fiery challenge and bonds |
| 103 | Soul RevolutionSuperfly |  play_arrow | It’s characterized by a very powerful melody right from the start… |
| 104 | Youthful AmigoShūji to Akira |  play_arrow | Kazuya Kamenashi and Tomohisa Yamashita used their drama character names... |
| 105 | HappinessAI |  play_arrow | Released in 2011, featured in a Coca-Cola commercial… |
| 106 | Begin Againsanari |  play_arrow | He’s also active as an actor, making the most of his cool looks… |
| 107 | RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION |  play_arrow | Let’s all sing the chorus together! Popular rock ba... |
| 108 | Bridge of Gloryyuzu |  play_arrow | 'Eikou no Kakehashi' is a moving classic that cheers on school sports days. |
| 109 | ImaginationSPYAIR |  play_arrow | Released in 2014, the TV anime “Haikyuu!!”... |
| 110 | A Distant LoveRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | In 2016, with the theme song of a blockbuster film, Kari… |
| 111 | Blue Springback number |  play_arrow | Back nu… has a strong image of love songs. |
| 112 | MagicMusicKimura Kaera |  play_arrow | Released in 2006 by Kaela Kimura… |
| 113 | winding roadNovelbright |  play_arrow | A hope-filled cheer song that pushes you forward |
| 114 | GO!!!FLOW |  play_arrow | One of FLOW’s signature songs that just gets you pumped… |
| 115 | TRAIN-TRAINTHE BLUE HEARTS |  play_arrow | Released in November 1998, it’s been almost 3… |
| 116 | Golden SoulShonan no Kaze |  play_arrow | The vibe is super cool, and the heated competition... |
| 117 | Critical HitRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | RADWIMPS' Song of Challenge |
| 118 | Fly Highmilet |  play_arrow | Gently sof… the hearts of athletes who are nervous before the competition |
| 119 | Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai |  play_arrow | A song that sprints through the moments of youth with all its might |
| 120 | I can only face forwardAKB48 |  play_arrow | A song that will further enliven a student-centered sports festival… |
| 121 | CampioneORANGE RANGE |  play_arrow | NHK '2006 FIFA World Cup…' |
| 122 | lightly; nimbly; flutteringlyGReeeeN |  play_arrow | It's a cheer song filled with runners' feelings! G… |
| 123 | Helloyama × bocchiboromaru |  play_arrow | Cheering Song by yama and Bocchi Boromaru |
| 124 | strollInoue Azumi |  play_arrow | Events like the ball-toss game and group gymnastics can be approached calmly and... |
| 125 | Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY |  play_arrow | PUFFY’s songs are uplifting and perfect for sports days—they make you want to get moving. |
| 126 | PLAYERSYOASOBI |  play_arrow | Energetic chants and a catchy soun... |
| 127 | Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA |  play_arrow | Opening theme song of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, courage and indomitable spirit |
| 128 | superstarKetsumeishi |  play_arrow | A hip-hop track filled with positivity and messages of encouragement... |
| 129 | NO MORE CRYD-51 |  play_arrow | It was selected as the theme song for the drama Gokusen and b... |
| 130 | Boom!Magokoro Burazāzu |  play_arrow | Used as BGM in the baseball segment of an information/variety program... |
| 131 | marching bandASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION |  play_arrow | The rock band commonly known by the nickname 'Ajikan'... |
| 132 | doorGReeeeN |  play_arrow | It’s a cheer song that sends encouragement to people who are doing their best... |
| 133 | Perfect-Sense DreamerONE OK ROCK |  play_arrow | A signature song by ONE OK ROCK, and this track… |
| 134 | Paradise GalaxyHikaru GENJI |  play_arrow | Released as Hikaru Genji's third single in 198... |
| 135 | Tomorrow as wellMUSH&Co. |  play_arrow | A fictional band from a popular manga is getting a live-action adap— |
| 136 | Clap your handsNICO Touches the Walls |  play_arrow | NICO Touches ... released in 2011 |
| 137 | WE CAN!Adachi Kana |  play_arrow | Released in 2019, Kana Adachi’s fifth si… |
| 138 | IMPACTUVERworld |  play_arrow | Anyway, they’re hot! A live band so cool even men fall for them, U… |
| 139 | SMILE ~Like a Clear, Sunlit Sky~Kuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | This is a mid-tempo song by Mr. Keisuke Kuwata, and… |
| 140 | It starts here!DREAMS COME TRUE |  play_arrow | Ekiden cheering songs give people courage. |
| 141 | A victorious smile with youUkasukaji |  play_arrow | The appeal of passionate cheer songs at sports festivals |
| 142 | Dokimeki Diaryasmi feat. Chinozo |  play_arrow | The opening theme song of the new Pokémon anime |
| 143 | Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā |  play_arrow | A cheer song brimming with youthful passion and hope... |
| 144 | earnest desireSUPER BEAVER |  play_arrow | S... that sings about the importance of connections between people |
| 145 | Run, Honest OneSaijō Hideki |  play_arrow | The ending song of “Chibi Maruko-chan”… |
| 146 | flying getAKB48 |  play_arrow | A high-energy dance number that lets you go all out... |
| 147 | In the Blueikimonogakari |  play_arrow | It's a cheer song packed with the explosive power of youth! Unstopp... |
| 148 | As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE |  play_arrow | A cheer song for a sports day that celebrates the courage to never give up |
| 149 | Mileage of LoveRAG FAIR |  play_arrow | A six-member a cappella unit formed in 1999. … |
| 150 | Everyday, KachushaAKB48 |  play_arrow | Lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto, music by Yoshimasa Inoue... |