Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Friendship Song] Music to hype up sports days and athletic festivals

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

I think there are very many students who look forward to school sports days and athletic festivals.

On those days, you’ll have fun and smile, throw yourself into heated competitions, and even be moved to tears—truly a day packed with youthful memories.

At such a memorable sports day, you might also grow closer through practice and events, or deepen your friendships even more, don’t you think?

With that in mind, this article will introduce lots of recommended songs for a sports day with the theme of friendship!

I hope you find wonderful tracks to color your special day.

[Friendship Songs] Tracks to Hype Up Sports Days and Athletic Festivals (1–10)

It starts here!DREAMS COME TRUE

DREAMS COME TRUE “It Starts Here!”

It starts here!DREAMS COME TRUE

A heartwarming friendship song from DREAMS COME TRUE, filled with hopeful cheers and a powerful anthem.

Released in January 2025, the track features an energetic, vibrant rhythm that blends ’80s disco sounds with modern Latin grooves.

It carries messages of friendship, the courage to take on challenges, and encouragement for those stepping into something new.

Created as the theme song for the “Osaka-Kansai Expo Commemorative ACN EXPO EKIDEN 2025,” this lively tune is perfect for singing and dancing with friends at school or cultural festivals.

It’s also ideal for choral or dance performances practiced with friends, as well as background music for video projects.

Enjoy this uplifting cheer song that adds color to cherished memories with your friends.

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BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – BOW AND ARROW

BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi

This is a cheer song written by Kenshi Yonezu as the opening theme for the anime “Medalist,” set in the world of figure skating.

Using imagery of a bow and arrow, it powerfully depicts young people who keep moving toward their dreams while overcoming setbacks.

It’s a perfect fit as a theme song or BGM for cultural festivals and school festivals.

It’s sure to resonate as encouragement for friends who keep taking on challenges, and as motivation for yourself.

The exhilarating melody and lyrics filled with determination to chase dreams will deepen the bonds with the companions striving alongside you.

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together; along with; bothWANIMA

WANIMA – Together (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

together; along with; bothWANIMA

This song, “Tomoni,” one of WANIMA’s signature tracks, is like an anthem that cheers on life and is loved by people of all ages—perfect for events like sports days, don’t you think? With its driving energy and positive vibe, it pushes forward despite difficulties, which I believe especially resonates with younger generations.

It would be an excellent BGM for heated events like sprints or relays.

At the same time, the melody is very refreshing, making it a song that fits any scene at a sports day.

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[Friendship Songs] Tracks to Hype Up Sports Day and Athletic Festivals (11–20)

Song of a FriendBUMP OF CHICKEN

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Friend’s Song”

Song of a FriendBUMP OF CHICKEN

This song, BUMP OF CHICKEN’s “Tomodachi no Uta,” which was the theme song for the film Doraemon: Nobita and the Steel Troops: The New Age, is—just as the title suggests—a friendship song.

Friendship songs are perfect when you want to boost team spirit at events like sports days! While many songs used at such events are high-energy tracks that really get the crowd going, this one, though gentle, lifts you up from the depths of your heart and raises morale, in my opinion.

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paper airplanesuis from Yorushika × Evan Call

suis from Yorushika × Evan Call “Paper Airplane” [Theme song for the anime ‘Dragonite and the Mailman’]

paper airplanesuis from Yorushika × Evan Call

A heartwarming story of friendship woven from a grand orchestral sound and a crystal-clear singing voice.

This collaborative work by Yorushika’s suis and Evan Call paints a youthful page perfect for sports festival season.

Released in February 2025, it explores human connection through letters and words, skillfully interweaving depictions of nature to deliver a warm, resonant message.

Chosen as the theme song for the animated short “Dragonite and the Mail Carrier,” produced in celebration of Pokémon Day 2025, it gently speaks to the importance of delivering one’s feelings.

It’s a recommended track for those looking to deepen bonds with teammates at school sports days or to express their true feelings with sincerity.

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Live in the present.Saucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Live in the present.” Music Video

Live in the present.Saucy Dog

The friendship song by Saucy Dog is a wonderful track that brightens up any sports day! Its refreshing melody and lyrics expressing gratitude to teammates who fight alongside you truly resonate.

Written as the support song for the 101st All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, it conveys the importance of continuing to push beyond your limits.

With powerful messages like “We’re beautiful even if we’re not perfect,” it’s sure to give you courage.

Released digitally in December 2022, this song is perfect not only during events and competitions, but also for moments of deepening bonds with your friends.

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Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI

Highest Point / SEKAI NO OWARI [Sports Day Recital Dance] Easy Dance Choreography

Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI

It’s a song with a powerful message that you can turn your weaknesses into allies and aim higher.

It emphasizes the importance of kindness and strength toward yourself and others, and its content gives you the courage to keep moving forward without stopping.

Released in September 2023 and used as the theme song for the popular anime ONE PIECE, many of you may already know it.

This song is perfect for school sports days too—it fosters a sense of unity and will make for unforgettable memories! Definitely give it a play.

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