[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]
- [Sports Day] Entrance songs that will hype the crowd! A comprehensive roundup from classics to the latest hits
- [Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM!
- 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]
- [Dance Tracks] Perfect for School Sports Days! A Curated Selection of Fun, Popular Songs to Dance To [2026]
- [March] Carefully selected popular songs recommended for entrance and exit at sports days and athletic festivals!
- [2026] Curated J-POP to Energize Sports Days and Athletic Festivals! Also Great as Entrance Music
- 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, Sprinting, Dancing] Energetic Songs and the Newest Tracks to Liven Up Sports Day (181–190)
superstarKetsumeishi

This song celebrates recognizing the potential and talent hidden within yourself and letting them shine.
Its empowering message—that everyone has a unique brilliance—blends beautifully with the pop sound.
Ketsumeishi’s positive lyrics and catchy melody carry a warm, gentle push for listeners.
Released in November 2020, it was chosen as the theme song for the TV Asahi anime Crayon Shin-chan.
The music video, filmed in India, also captures the song’s bright and uplifting worldview.
It’s a perfect fit as a cheer song for school events like sports festivals, and for anyone seeking encouragement to discover their true self.
Carrot NinjaKeroponzu

Let’s show it off in an orange ninja outfit! Introducing the “Carrot Ninja.” The combination of carrot and ninja is unique and fun, isn’t it? Why not take this opportunity to arrange a dark-colored ninja outfit into orange and green and try wearing it? As the name suggests, “Carrot Ninja” is a ninja themed around carrots.
The lyrics also express the characteristics of carrots, so it seems like a great chance to learn more.
There’s even a spot in the middle of the song where lively shout-outs become the highlight!
Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā

Familiar from TV and the NHK New Year’s Eve music show, this song captures the feelings of a heartbroken man with an upbeat melody.
Its message—filled with lingering attachment to an ex, regret, and the wish to be together again—has resonated with many.
Released in October 2009, the track has spawned yearly “buzzword” versions that reflect the spirit of the times.
In fiscal 2013, it won the JASRAC Gold Award, a remarkable feat for an indie release.
It was also used in a House Foods “Mega Shaki” commercial, gaining popularity across a wide audience.
Perfect for amping up sports festivals and dance events, it’s a crowd-pleaser that kids and adults alike can enjoy dancing to.
New Treasure IslandSakanakushon

The 11th single by Sakanaction, a five-member rock band led by Ichiro Yamaguchi—renowned in the music industry as a “sound fanatic” for his uncompromising commitment to audio quality.
Created as the theme song for the film Bakuman, it’s a track whose somewhat comical yet cool melody lingers in your ears.
The original choreography features simple lateral movements and basic box steps aligned with the beat, making it easy to synchronize even with large groups.
It has a fun vibe, and since it doesn’t demand a strong sense of speed when creating your own routine, it’s recommended for dances at school sports days and athletic festivals.
TimingBurakku Bisukettsu

We’d like to introduce a song that’s perfect for a bright and energetic atmosphere at children’s sports days! It’s a single by Black Biscuits, released in April 1998, which reached No.
2 on the Oricon charts and became a huge hit with about 1.48 million copies sold.
Its pop, uplifting melody and lively beat have an irresistible rhythm that naturally gets kids moving.
It’s a well-known favorite among J-pop fans and continues to be loved across generations, even being performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in December 2023.
The lyrics, which sing about important moments in everyday life, make it perfect for practice time leading up to the dance segment of a sports day.
The fun choreography that kids can energetically dance to with friends is sure to become a popular program for preschoolers’ sports festivals.
ThrillerMaikeru Jakuson

Michael Jackson’s horror-themed dance song, with its brilliant rhythm and danceable sound, is perfect for a sports day finale! With choreography inspired by zombie moves, it’s sure to get kids’ hearts pumping.
Known as the title track of the album Thriller, released in November 1982, the piece blends pop, R&B, and disco elements to perfection.
The music video—produced with a budget of $500,000—made waves for its zombie dance, sparking huge reactions and opening up new possibilities for music videos.
It can be arranged to match events like ball-toss games and other sports day activities, making it a popular, highly recommended dance track that everyone can enjoy!
William Tell OvertureRosshīni

The overture to a grand opera by Rossini, one of Italy’s most iconic composers.
Structured in four parts, it begins at dawn, passes through a storm scene, moves into pastoral tranquility, and then unfolds into a heroic march—a truly masterful progression.
Premiered in 1829, this work became widely known as the opening theme of the American TV series The Lone Ranger and was also used on Fuji TV’s Oretachi Hyokin-zoku, lodging itself in the memories of many.
Its powerful rhythms and dynamic melodies make it perfect for the exit scene at a school sports day, heightening the excitement as participants leave the field and bringing the event to a rousing, resonant close.



