[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, Running, Dance] Energetic Songs and the Latest Tracks to Liven Up Sports Day (41–50)
paprikaFoorin
This song was chosen as NHK’s official 2020 song.
Since it was produced by Kenshi Yonezu, it’s popular with both children and adults.
You can watch the dance in the official video on YouTube, so it’s perfect as BGM for dance performances.
There’s also a self-cover version by Kenshi Yonezu, which has a slightly more mature feel—be sure to check that out, too.
[Marching, Footraces, and Dance] Energetic Songs and the Newest Tracks to Hype Up Sports Day (51–60)
GO!!!FLOW
FLOW is a five-member rock band that has released many songs tied in with TV anime.
GO!!! is their fourth single, released in 2004.
It was also used as the fourth opening theme for the anime NARUTO.
The song’s message gives you the power to carve out your future through your own strength, and its high-speed rock sound lifts your spirits.
With its message of seizing something, it’s a perfect fit for competitions that involve taking things from opponents, such as cavalry battles.
A Trumpeter’s HolidayRuroi Andāson
It may be a bit less well known than some of the other orchestral pieces introduced in this article, but this one is also a staple at school sports days! It’s often performed by wind ensembles, and it’s famous among trumpet players for being anything but a “day off”: the fast tempo and intricate, tightly packed rhythms make its phrases particularly striking.
At the same time, it incorporates fanfare-like passages that lend it an elegant feel.
It’s a piece that heightens the tension of each event while really amping up the excitement!
Zankyo SankaAimer
This is the 20th single by Aimer, a female singer who carries absolute determination and confidence in her voice and is steadily gaining recognition in the J-POP scene.
The track was used as the opening theme for the TV anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Entertainment District Arc and was released as a double A-side single alongside Asa ga Kuru, which serves as the ending theme.
Its jazzy yet fast-paced beat and brass arrangement would surely hype up athletic meet events.
As the opening theme of a hugely popular anime, it’s a number guaranteed to raise kids’ excitement.
Panda Herohachi
These are songs that Kenshi Yonezu, the hugely popular artist who made his major-label debut, released under the name “Hachi” during his amateur days.
Listening to them gets you pumped and makes you want to sing along.
This track, with its cool, noir-style band sound, features a very striking chorus that’s almost like scat.
ECHOLittle Glee Monster
Released in 2019, this song was often heard at the time as NHK’s rugby theme song! While their usual tracks tend to be catchy and bright, this one is a complete shift from that image—it’s a very powerful piece that fits rugby perfectly.
Of course, you can still enjoy their signature beautiful harmonies in the chorus! It’s an ideal pep song for sports and suits any competition, but it would be especially fitting as BGM for tug-of-war, don’t you think?
LOVE MachineMōningu Musume.
Morning Musume is an idol group that debuted in 1997 and is still active today.
They have released a wide range of songs, from catchy tunes to tear-jerking love songs and unique dance numbers.
“LOVE Machine” is a cheer song aimed at everyone in Japan, carrying the message: let’s all fall in love and use the power of love to energize the country.
It’s a great pick to hype up a school festival with a dance, and it’s also recommended for a three-legged race for married couples.