Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Sports Day/Field Day BGM: Moving Classics & Uplifting Anthems to Power Your Practice

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.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

When it comes to undōkai and school sports festivals, they’re among the biggest school events—a special day that colors a page of your youth! Besides the marquee relay race, there are usually all kinds of events like dance performances and cheer battles, right? In this article, we’ve selected support songs that keep you going through the hard work of practice and preparation leading up to the day, as well as tracks that give you a push during the nerve‑wracking main event.

Listen closely and you might just burst into tears… Use this as a guide to choose the perfect BGM to color your wonderful memories!

[Sports Day / Athletic Festival BGM] Moving Masterpieces & Cheer Songs That Support Practice (21–30)

Philosophy[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Philosophy (MV)

Philosophy[Alexandros]

Dros’s “Philosophy” sings about and stands beside the struggles unique to the younger generation.

It’s a powerful track that champions the coolness each person carries.

Like the stage where a thousand 18-year-olds collaborated with Dros, it’s about creating something together.

Whether it’s at a sports day or a school festival, working hand in hand with family or friends, earning results, and looking back on the hard work and practice—you’ll probably find the tears impossible to hold back.

It’s a song that colors a page of your youth.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Happinessarashi

ARASHI – Happiness [Official Music Video]

Happinessarashi

Arashi is a beloved national male idol group cherished by a wide range of generations, from children to their parents.

This cheer song, which looks ahead to the future together with friends, is a perfect fit both in terms of friendship and as a school event song for sports days.

With its upbeat tempo and catchy melody, it’s a popular track often used at sports days for events geared mainly toward lower grades, such as beanbag tosses and footraces.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Sports Day / Athletic Festival BGM] Moving Masterpieces & Cheer Songs That Support Practice (31–40)

HeroAmuro Namie

Hero – Namie Amuro (Full)

HeroAmuro Namie

Since this was chosen as the theme song for NHK’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics and Paralympics coverage, I think it’s a perfect fit for school sports days as well.

The first verse has a grand, solemn atmosphere, but from the second verse it unfolds with a strikingly danceable beat.

As a result, it’s a song that balances touching tenderness with excitement.

Also pay attention to the lyrics, which feel as if they’re cheering you on.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Footsteps ~Be StrongMr.Children

Mr.Children “Footsteps” Live from TOUR 2015 REFLECTION

Footsteps ~Be StrongMr.Children

A popular song that was also used as the theme for the drama “Nobunaga Concerto.” Described in the show as a motivational anthem that gives you a push forward, it was reportedly completed after numerous rewrites and marks Mr.

Children’s first self-produced track.

Perhaps for that reason, it carries a vibe of taking a new step.

While it’s not uptempo, it could work well for intermission staging or as background music.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Wasted NightsONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK: Wasted Nights [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Wasted NightsONE OK ROCK

This song by ONE OK ROCK, a rock band hugely popular not only in Japan but around the world, was used as the theme song for the film “Kingdom,” so many of you may already be familiar with it.

The composition is so grand that it could be mistaken for a Western band’s song, and that alone is moving.

The lyrics, which sing about a stance of continuous challenge, overlap with the parts of ourselves who have kept putting in effort, and the more you’ve tried, the more this song will resonate in your heart.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

migratory bird[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Wataridori (MV)

migratory bird[Alexandros]

For thrilling sports day scenes like short-distance races and relays, the song I’d love to hear is “Wataridori.” Released in 2015 by the rock band [Alexandros], it was used as the theme song for the film “Akegarasu” and featured in numerous other media tie-ins.

The track delivers a crisp band sound with lively guitars and drums, and Yohei Kawakami’s refreshing high-tone vocals leave a strong impression.

How about playing this motivational rock tune at your sports day to lift the athletes’ spirits?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE

DREAMS COME TRUE – Again and Again / LOVE LOVE LOVE (from DWL2007 Live Ver.)

As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE

“You might succeed tomorrow… so even if it’s hard, stand up and try again and again.” This heart-stirring message comes from DREAMS COME TRUE’s “Nando Demo” (“Again and Again”).

It’s one of their most iconic songs, so many of you may already know it.

It’s a perfect tear-jerker for sports day or athletic meet BGM!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem