[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, Races, and Dance] Energetic Songs and the Newest Tracks to Hype Up Your Sports Day (21–30)
FateOfisharu Higedan Dism
At sports days and athletic festivals, you naturally want to listen to bright, uplifting songs.
If you’re looking for tracks like that, I recommend “Shukumei” by Official HIGE DANDism.
Its emotional melody pairs perfectly with the bright sound of the brass, and just listening to it will get you pumped up.
It’s the kind of song that can boost your motivation before a competition.
OH!SHISHAMO
SHISHAMO, a girls’ band extremely popular especially among teens, often has their songs featured in commercials, so people of all ages are familiar with them! Among their tracks, Ashita mo is widely loved as a cheer song, but when it comes to sports anthems, OH! is particularly recommended! Its straightforward message—“Even if it’s not pretty, don’t worry about what others think; just give it everything you’ve got!!”—is so pure it moves you to the core.
The balance between that passionate message and their refreshing vocals is excellent, and it’s sure to hype up any scene at a school sports day!
[Marching, Races, Dance] Energetic songs and the latest tracks to liven up Sports Day (31–40)
Best & highestkyarī pamyu pamyu
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s “Sai & Kou” is perfect for those student days when you spend the best time with your friends.
Since it was also used in a Coca-Cola commercial, many people who aren’t into music still know it, making it a fitting number to use when everyone dances together at sports days and athletic festivals.
The upbeat track that lifts your spirits and the contrast with her clear, translucent vocals are truly the best of the best.
So, you are not alone.Little Glee Monster
Many of Little Glee Monster’s songs are poppy and catchy, and their lyrics are straightforward and easy to understand, so they’re popular with kids.
Among them, “Dakara, Hitori Janai” is perfect for sports days and athletic festivals.
It’s an uplifting cheer song that’s sure to energize you just by listening.
I think it’s also well-suited as a theme song for a school sports day!
Gather round! Party people!Yabai T-shatsu Yasan
The moment it starts, the crowd is guaranteed to go wild! It’s a party anthem that amps up the vibe whether you like it or not.
When you think of Yaba-T, this “Atsumare! Party People” is the go-to—an irresistibly fun track everyone knows.
By the way, the song is an homage to LMFAO’s “Shots (featuring Lil Jon),” which hit No.
1 in the U.S.
If you can bust out the shuffle dance or the running man to this Yaba-T track, that’s pretty next-level.
Let’s all sing and dance together!
ColumbusMrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s new song is a pop track themed around history and evolution.
It portrays humanity’s journey from ancient times to the present with a catchy melodic line.
Released in June 2024, it was tied in as a campaign song for Coca-Cola.
The music video, which depicts famous historical figures traveling together, generated buzz.
While offering a fresh perspective on history, it has also sparked debate.
It’s perfect if you’re looking for a song to hype up a school sports day.
With its energetic vibe, it’s sure to get everyone dancing and having fun.
ONEAimer
Aimer’s unique voice is captivating—rich and deep, yet beautiful in the high range.
“ONE” is a cheer song that encourages people who set lofty goals.
The track has a refreshing feel overall, with Aimer’s expansive vocals resounding powerfully.
It’s perfect for students in the midst of their youth, but I think working adults will also feel energized to pursue their goals when they listen to it.
In terms of aiming high, it also fits well with group gymnastics, where teamwork and cooperation are essential.