[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, Foot Races, Dance] Energetic Songs & Latest Tracks to Hype Up Sports Day (111–120)
We are ninjas, indeed.Fukuda Sho
Perfect for the adorable vibe of infants, too! Presenting “We Are Little Ninjas.” At sports days and festivals, you can catch the cool performances of the preschool classes, but many people also look forward to the adorable moments from the infant classes, right? This time, let’s transform into ninjas with “We Are Little Ninjas,” a piece that even infant classes can try.
Its gentle melody and soft choreography are just right for the little ones.
Give it a try in your program!
[Marching, Footraces, Dance] Energetic Songs and the Newest Tracks to Liven Up Your Sports Day (121–130)
To Us Who Were Once GeniusesCreepy Nuts
With its profound lyrics and emotionally powerful melody, Creepy Nuts’ “To Us Who Were Once Geniuses” is a perfect song for kids from about the upper grades of elementary school.
The tempo ramps up toward the chorus, so viewers won’t be able to take their eyes off the children’s strong, expressive performance.
By incorporating the same movements while changing formations, it could match the melody and turn into a cool, mature dance.
It’s also recommended for mass performances!
SignalWANIMA
With its energetic intro, WANIMA’s “Signal” is a perfect song for livening up a sports day! The chorus melody is easy to remember, and the powerful lyrics will make it the highlight of the event.
It would be great to incorporate expressive elements into dance or mass performances! When everyone comes together as one and dances earnestly, it moves and inspires the audience.
It’s recommended for around third grade and up, so be sure to give it a try.
Biri MillionYuuri
Yuri’s “Billimillion,” with its catchy chorus that turns many listeners into fans after just one listen, is likely used by many schools for their sports days.
The chorus has a brisk tempo, so the key is to dance while expressing yourself with big movements of your arms and legs.
The gentle melody and lyrics will lift the dancers’ spirits and are sure to get everyone excited! Performing in the special setting of a sports day can be nerve-wracking, but once you finish the dance, you’ll likely feel both a sense of accomplishment and personal growth.
InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE
This song, used as the opening theme for the anime Fire Force, conveys a sense of speed from the very first drum beats and a feeling that something is about to begin.
In events where momentum is crucial—like cavalry battles—it will surely boost athletes’ motivation with a “Let’s go!” spirit.
In fact, the song encapsulates both transience and passion, asking what meaning we find in a life that will one day end and how we live with that awareness.
It’s an ideal track for spending your school days—a youth that will inevitably come to an end—with burning intensity.
PERFECT HUMANRADIO FISH
RADIO FISH, the creators of an EDM party tune that’s a huge hit at school sports festivals, deliver confident, addictive tracks that blend playfulness and humor into a new era of dance music.
Their powerful performances by a uniquely individual lineup and the briskly flowing lyrics are full of charm that makes everyone—from kids to adults—want to dance.
Released in December 2015, this song was performed at the 67th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen the following year and skyrocketed in popularity.
While portraying leader Atsuhiko Nakata as a flawless figure, it unfolds a poppy, comical world.
It’s the perfect track for getting a big crowd hyped at sports days or dance events.
Move your body with full energy together as one, and you’ll create wonderful memories filled with smiles!
Abracadabra spellchibi maruko-chan & baku chuu mondai
An energetic song that people of all ages can enjoy, expressing everyday events and feelings with words that sound like a mysterious spell.
Its bright, light-hearted melody and fun lyrics are sure to lift your spirits.
With a catchy rhythm and memorable phrases, it’s a perfect track to get everyone excited at a school sports day.
Released in July 2004, this piece was used for about eight years as the ending theme of the popular anime Chibi Maruko-chan, becoming hugely popular among children.
The lyrics are by Momoko Sakura, and the music is by Mayo Okamoto.
It’s an ideal song for dancing at sports days and events—highly recommended for making up your own choreography and having fun.