[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
[March, Sprint, Dance] Energetic songs and the latest tracks to liven up the sports day (201–210)
In the Blueikimonogakari
A song packed with the vitality and freshness of youth is here! Released in March 2024, this pop tune made waves after being featured in a Mitsuya Cider commercial.
It carries the bright, forward-looking message that’s so characteristic of Ikimonogakari.
Its up-tempo beat is perfect as an exit song for a school sports day sprint, guaranteeing a breezy, exhilarating finale.
Centered on the theme of youth and emotional explosion, this track overflows with youthful energy.
Consider adding it to create the best staging for memories of youth—it’s sure to make your day feel truly moving.
POKÉDANCEnanahira
The song by Nanahira, released in February 2024, became a hot topic as an animated music video produced to celebrate Pokémon Day.
It features a pop, danceable sound and lyrics themed around friendship and fun.
Catchy phrases like “Buddy buddy boom boom” and “Clap clap clap” stand out, naturally lifting listeners’ spirits.
This track is perfect not only for Pokémon fans but also as a song everyone can dance to together, making it ideal for use at sports days and school events.
Since it’s short, it’s also great for dance practice or a quick breather.
As an upbeat, feel-good song that brings smiles, it’s likely to be loved by a wide range of ages, from children to adults.
Give it some guts!!Urufuruzu
When it comes to Ulfuls’ “Guts Da Ze!!,” it’s the very definition of an energizing anthem.
Just playing it at a sports day fills you with power.
The uplifting lyrics make you feel like you can go out there and get it done.
Sports days are full of competitions, so listen to this song and go for the win.
Team unity is important too, so I hope listening to it will strengthen your teamwork even more.
Show your guts and see the sports day through to the very end.
Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā
A song characterized by passionate lyrics and a powerful rock sound that’s sure to get you excited just by listening.
Released as a single in August 2018, it was used as the theme song for the drama “Cheer☆Dan.” It’s an uplifting anthem about the importance of facing forward and taking off, teaching us the greatness of continuing to strive toward our dreams no matter how tough things get.
Its up-tempo feel makes it perfect for school sports day entrances or brisk exits, and it’s sure to ignite everyone’s spirits.
With emotional lyrics and a powerful sound, it’s a track that gives listeners a strong push forward.
Sword DanceHachaturian
This piece, with its strikingly relentless, driving melody, is Khachaturian’s “Sabre Dance.” Originally used near the end of the ballet Gayane, it accompanies a scene where the performers dance with sabres, just as the title suggests.
Matching the impression you get from the music, the choreography is extremely fast-paced and dashing.
Thanks to the energetic feel of both the composition and the original ballet, it’s become a staple at school sports days; it’s a classic tune everyone’s likely heard, making it a perfect fit for running events!
strollInoue Azumi
Studio Ghibli films are hugely popular with kids, too.
A great Ghibli song for sports days and school athletic festivals is “Sanpo.” It’s the familiar song from the movie “My Neighbor Totoro,” and I think not only children but adults know it as well.
With its bright and gentle feel, it’s perfect as a cheer song or background music for lower elementary school kids.
Runnerbakufū suranpu
It’s one of Bakufu Slump’s signature songs, released in 1988! Though it’s quite an old track, it’s often performed on TV impersonation shows and is a staple as a sports cheer song, so I think many younger people know it too.
This cross-generational classic features a memorable chorus delivered with passionate vocals, and the more you listen, the more fired up you get! No matter how tough the situation, it gives you the courage to keep fighting to the very end without giving up.
It’s perfect as BGM for the relay race at the end of a school sports day, isn’t it?