[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
[March, Sprint, Dance] Energetic Songs and the Newest Tracks to Hype Up Your Sports Day (231–240)
WE CAN!Adachi Kana
Many soccer chant songs are also perfect for sports days and athletic festivals.
Kana Adachi’s “WE CAN!” is an official cheer song that was used as a tie-in for Júbilo Iwata’s 2019 season.
It has an upbeat, uplifting vibe that makes you feel energized just by listening.
I’m sure lots of people would feel encouraged hearing it at sports days and athletic festivals as well.
strollHisaishi Joe
Composed as the opening theme for the Ghibli masterpiece My Neighbor Totoro, the song “Sanpo” is, as its title suggests, characterized by a breezy feel that’s perfect for marching.
It’s widely known across all ages, making it a great recommendation for any sports day—from elementary school events to community gatherings.
That said, watching little children march to this tune is irresistibly cute.
There also seem to be marching band arrangements available, so be sure to consult them when performing.
Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai
This is a dynamic, invigorating track that dramatically portrays an all-out sprint.
Looking back as an adult, it brings to mind that fiery page of youth when we ran with everything we had.
Produced in July 2024 as the theme song for ABEMA’s “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita Summer Vacation 2024,” the piece achieves an epic sense of scale through a collaboration with a 40-piece orchestra.
Its powerful melody and driving sound gently encourage young people to move forward without fear of taking on new challenges.
It’s also an ideal choice for background music at school sports days and athletic events.
Heavy rotationAKB48
When it comes to AKB48, this is the iconic masterpiece: “Heavy Rotation.” You can just picture the members’ bright smiles, right? It hypes everyone up from the very intro, so the moment it starts playing, I bet everyone feels lifted.
Learning the choreography to show off your cuteness is a great recommendation for girls, too!
U.S.A.DA PUMP
“U.S.A.” is a dance track with pleasantly rich synthesizer sounds.
It was originally released by the Italian singer Joe Yellow, but the version covered by DA PUMP is now widely loved.
The sound is almost the same as when it was released in ’92, so it’s great for enjoying across generations.
And speaking of this song, the thumbs-up move in the choreography is also a hot topic.
It could be fun to work it into your own dance!
Everyone is free.Half time Old
This song, well known from the au commercials, is perfect for an opening at a sports day.
You have to follow the rules when you compete, but within the rules “everyone’s free.” It’s a classic that heightens that exciting, heart-pounding feeling that something fun—sports day, the school athletic festival—is about to begin.
Marching in at a brisk trot to its just-right medium-fast tempo feels great.
It’s bound to be fun.
The start is crucial for a sports festival, and if this song handles the opening, you can relax—it’ll be spot on.
READY STEADY GOL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
L’Arc~en~Ciel is a four-member rock band that enjoys high popularity both in Japan and abroad, having become the first Japanese artist to hold a solo concert at Madison Square Garden in 2012.
Their 22nd single, “READY STEADY GO,” which was used as an opening theme for the TV anime Fullmetal Alchemist, was also their first single after resuming activities, delighting many fans.
With a driving, pop-punk-inspired beat and a chorus melody that feels light and soaring, it adds a vibrant touch to any competitive scene, like a school sports day.
It’s a rock tune that lifts your spirits and makes you want to move your feet just by listening.
