[March, Foot Races, Dance] Energetic songs and the latest hits to liven up a sports day
When it comes to sports day music, many people might think of classical pieces like ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ (Infernal Galop from ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’).
However, in recent years, more schools have been using pop songs and anime tracks as background music in addition to the classic staples, making the selection more diverse.
In this article, we’ll introduce lively songs that perfectly match the sports day atmosphere—not only long-standing classics but also popular J-POP tunes among elementary and middle school students.
Use this as a reference for your playlist!
- [Sports Day] Songs for footraces: tracks that make kids want to run [classics & J-pop]
- Songs that hype up the athlete entrance at school sports festivals
- [Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM!
- [Dance Songs] Recommended for school sports days and athletic festivals! A curated selection of popular tracks that are fun to dance to
- From classics to fan favorites! A catalog of music and BGM to liven up your sports day
- Top Songs to Hype Up Sports Day and Athletic Festivals [2026]
- Carefully selected J-pop to liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs.
- [March] Carefully selected popular songs recommended for entrance and exit at sports days and athletic festivals!
- Popular songs recommended for nursery school sports days! A roundup of classic crowd-pleasers and the latest hits
- Recommended exit songs for sports day: A collection of tracks that are perfect for a brisk, quick-march exit.
- Cheer songs to hype up the sports day! A collection of motivational tracks recommended for kids
- Get Fired Up! A Collection of Anime Songs to Hype Up Your Sports Day and Athletic Festival
- Perfect for sports day parachute routines! Recommended J-pop songs
[Marching, Footraces, and Dance] Energetic Songs and the Newest Tracks to Liven Up Sports Day (91–100)
SenbonzakuraWagakki Band
A song by Wagakki Band, a mixed-gender eight-piece with fans in Japan and abroad, known for their one-of-a-kind rock sound that fuses traditional Japanese instruments with a band, just as their name suggests.
It’s a cover of the hugely popular Vocaloid track released by Vocaloid producer Kurousa-P, and the uniquely Japanese-instrument-driven sound-making is superb, offering a distinct flavor from the original’s piano-rock sound.
As a song that helped bring Vocaloid music into mainstream recognition, it’s sure to hype up any sports day.
The double-bass drum beat propels running speed during races—a rock tune that only Japanese artists could express.
Ten Thousand Cheers, A Thousand ChantsRADWIMPS
This is a song by RADWIMPS created together with a thousand 18-year-olds for a special NHK program.
It carefully depicts, like a single story, the dreams and anxieties of young people and their forward-looking steps into the future, resulting in an energetic, stirring anthem of encouragement.
Included on the album ANTI ANTI GENERATION, it became a much-talked-about gem in 2018.
Born from the passionate feelings of the youth involved, the piece was also performed on RADWIMPS’ nationwide ANTI ANTI GENERATION TOUR 2019.
As a song that colors energetic scenes where large groups move as one—like at sports festivals or group gymnastics—it naturally envelops the venue in a positive atmosphere.
sixth senseREOL
This track captivates with its energetic sound and provocative lyrics.
While looking toward the future, it expresses a determination to live fully in the present.
Released in July 2020, it was used as the commercial song for DYNAMITE BOAT RACE during the second half of 2020.
It drew major attention, reaching No.
1 on Billboard JAPAN’s Heatseekers Songs and holding the top spot for a total of five weeks.
Packed with Reol’s distinctive worldview, this song is perfect for moments when you want to unleash your energy—like school sports days or dance events.
It’s a highly recommended track when you want everyone to get hyped together.
Heaven and HellOfufenbakku
When it comes to sports days, this piece has always been a classic, hasn’t it? Orchestral music is often used as background music for events at school sports days, and among them, this one is especially standard.
There are plenty of times when you’ve heard the orchestral pieces used at sports days and can hum the melody but don’t know the title, right? This piece is “Orpheus in the Underworld” (also known as “Heaven and Hell”).
It actually has a surprisingly striking title! It’s an indispensable track for sports day competitions.
Sunny Day SundaySenchimentaru Basu
Sentimental Bus was a music duo that gained popularity with their impactful afro hair and cute vocals, but unfortunately disbanded in 2000.
Their major 4th single, “Sunny Day Sunday,” which was featured in Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s Pocari Sweat commercial, remains a staple cheer song in high school baseball even today.
Its brisk shuffle beat and catchy, pop melody are enough to lift your spirits just by listening.
It’s a pop tune that perfectly matches the atmosphere of a school sports day and makes great background music.
changemiwa
Popular among junior high and high school students, miwa has a song that alternates between driving, fast-paced sections and slower, conversational moments.
In both, her piercingly clear voice truly shines.
It slips right into your ears, making it a very pleasant listen! Highly recommended as entrance/exit music for inter-club competitions.
Feeling great!!mihimaru GT
It’s one of mihimaru GT’s signature songs, giving the strong impression of calling on everyone to have fun together.
While it’s often seen as a bright party tune, the tempo is actually relaxed, letting you really feel the powerful beat in your body.
It’s a captivating track that seems to both stay close to the anxieties of everyday life and sometimes urge you to forget them and enjoy yourself.
It expresses the bonds and unity with friends to the fullest—a song that brings people together in a joyful, all-for-one spirit.
