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!
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Sports Day / Athletic Festival BGM: Moving Classics & Motivational Songs to Support Practice (1–10)
DREAMERIkuta Rira
A gem of a mid-tempo ballad whose burning passion and single-minded pursuit of a dream strikes straight to the heart.
Lila Ikuta returns to her roots as an artist, expressing her love for music and her determination in unembellished, down-to-earth words.
Written as an insert song for the drama “Paripi Kōmei” and later self-covered for release in March 2025 as part of the album Hyakka Ryoran, the track weaves the struggles and growth of those who love music into a gently enveloping melody, letting their powerful longing for their dreams resonate deeply.
It’s a song of support that gives a push to students immersed in practice and warmly stands by their efforts—one we hope you’ll play during training scenes for sports days and athletic festivals.
together; along with; bothWANIMA
WANIMA is a hugely popular rock band that you now hear not only at live venues but increasingly in commercials and movie theme songs.
Their biggest appeal is, of course, their irresistibly bright tunes and positive lyrics! This song, too, pairs an easy-to-listen-to, catchy performance with wonderful lyrics full of gratitude, making it the kind of track that can bring tears as you look back on past events.
Its exhilarating, fast-paced feel also makes it perfect for a school sports day.
A bouquet for meAdo
A gently sung piece about self-affirmation and a forward-looking attitude was released by Ado in March 2025.
While empathizing with the feelings we experience in everyday life, it carries a message that encourages recognizing oneself and finding the courage to take a step toward tomorrow.
With a fresh melody crafted by HoneyWorks layered with Ado’s powerful yet delicate vocals, the result is a heartwarming track.
The song has been chosen as the new commercial theme for Coca-Cola’s canned coffee brand Georgia and is scheduled to be included on the album “Ado’s Best Album.” It’s a perfect tune to start your morning, to encourage someone, or to give yourself a boost of courage—and it will continue to brighten the hearts of many.
PLAYERSYOASOBI
YOASOBI released a memorable track in March 2025, marked by energetic chants and a catchy sound.
Born from a project celebrating PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, this ambitious attempt to portray gamers’ memories through music delivers a positive message centered on challenge and growth.
The story warmly depicts how protagonists encountered in game worlds encourage us in real life and expand our hopes for the future, and the song was also featured in a special PlayStation 30th anniversary commercial.
With a star-studded lineup including Nanase Nishino, Usada Pekora, and Kiyo, the work showcases the appeal of gaming.
It’s a perfect song to boost motivation during sports day practice or athletic festival training.
One Heartatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu
A cheer song bursting with positive energy and youthful power! Filmed in a gymnasium together with fans known as “Seishun Club Members,” it’s a warm, light-filled visual piece.
ATARASHII GAKKO! has consistently delivered strong messages about valuing individuality through works like the albums “Ma-Ningen” and “Wakage Gaitaru.” This track was produced in March 2025 as a song for a Bourbon commercial, and it’s a powerful push for those starting a new chapter in life.
It’s sure to encourage you through tense entrance ceremonies, important sports day practice, and the big day itself.
The authentic message and dynamic performance of ATARASHII GAKKO! will surely resonate with your heart!
lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE
A work that delicately portrays the radiance and bitterness of youth, as well as the conflicts that come with growing up, was released by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE in April 2024.
Gently wrapping bittersweet memories and the dawn of new love, the song has been selected as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime “Oblivion Battery,” winning the hearts of listeners across generations.
It strikes a superb balance between a powerful melody riding on a brisk rhythm and lyrics that finely depict the inner heart.
Within Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s characteristically bright, pop sound, the anxieties and hopes unique to youth—and the way we face ourselves—are skillfully interwoven, making it a motivating anthem for practice ahead of school sports days and athletic festivals.
At the 66th Japan Record Awards, it won the Grand Prize, marking the first-ever back-to-back victory by a band.
It starts here!DREAMS COME TRUE
Brimming with dynamic rhythm and a powerful melody, this track serves as a heartwarming anthem that, while a theme song for an ekiden relay race, also celebrates life’s challenges, hard work, and those taking a bold new step forward.
DREAMS COME TRUE fuse ’80s disco sounds with Latin grooves into a lively arrangement that gently pushes listeners onward.
The song was released digitally ahead of time in January 2025 and was later included as a single in March of the same year as the theme song for the “ACN EXPO EKIDEN 2025 Commemorating the Osaka-Kansai Expo.” It’s a buoyant tune that, when played during practice for school sports days or athletic festivals, naturally sparks a sense of camaraderie with teammates and a renewed determination to reach your goals.