[2026] Curated J-POP to Energize Sports Days and Athletic Festivals! Also Great as Entrance Music
Music is essential for staging a successful sports day or school athletics festival.
You might find yourself thinking, “I want to pick songs that will hype up this once-a-year sports celebration!” or “What tracks will boost participants’ motivation and get the audience excited too?”
In this article, we’ve gathered the perfect songs for background music and entrance scenes at sports days and athletics festivals.
From tracks that fire you up to songs that gently encourage, you’ll find plenty of pieces that work in all kinds of moments.
Let moving music set the stage for an unforgettable event.
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[2026] Handpicked J-POP to Hype Up Sports Days and Athletic Festivals! Also Great as Entrance Songs (71–80)
Yes we areSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu
Released in March 2019 after a year and three months, “Yes we are” is the blue entry in the color concept songs announced on New Year’s Day 2019, and it’s a classic pop track.
It’s a quintessential J Soul Brothers pop song that anyone can get into and makes you want to dance.
While you might think they’re especially popular with women, they’re actually so popular that guys want to dance and imitate them too.
If this plays at a sports event or outside of one, it’s guaranteed to get everyone hyped!
Teenager ForeverKing Gnu
For students, one of the most important events in school life is surely the sports day or athletic festival.
In other words, it’s a precious page of youth.
To add color to those memories, why not play “Teenager Forever”? It’s a song by the popular mixture band King Gnu, included on their third album “CEREMONY,” released in 2020.
Many of you may know it as it was used in a SONY commercial.
The lyrics convey a powerful message—a burning desire to keep on running forever—that’s absolutely top-notch.
Even when we’re apartWANIMA
WANIMA’s song “Even Apart” is a perfect fit for a school sports day with its energetic punk rock sound.
It’s included on their 2021 album Chopped Grill Chicken, and during their nationwide Cheddar Flavor Tour 2021, it was performed as the final song of the show.
It’s said that many people attend WANIMA concerts with their children.
Plenty of kids probably know the song, so be sure to play it at your sports day!
[2026] Carefully selected J-POP to amp up your sports day/athletic festival! Also great as entrance songs (81–90)
Biting the second handzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.
The first digital-download-only single by Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni., led by ACA-ne, is Byoushin wo Kamu (Chewing the Second Hand).
It was released for streaming in 2018, and the music video was posted on YouTube.
In 2021, the music video surpassed 100 million views.
The striking piano phrases and driving beat are really cool.
It’s a highly popular track that resonated with the younger generation, so it’s also a great pick for sports day background music!
Are you ready?Ryokushokushakai
A song marked by a dynamic melody and uplifting lyrics.
This track by Ryokuoushoku Shakai, which celebrates the brilliance of charging toward your dreams, was written as the theme song for the 2021 film “Towns Tom & Sawyer,” perfectly matching its world.
Its refreshing sound and rhythmic development are sure to put listeners in a positive mood.
Entering to this song will make you feel ready to go all out toward your goals with your treasured teammates.
It’s a perfect opener for exciting events like school sports days and athletic festivals.
OH!SHISHAMO
Since performing on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, SHISHAMO have broadened their activities in many areas.
While it may feel curious how vocalist Miyazaki’s cute singing voice blends so seamlessly with their rock sound, many people are undoubtedly captivated by that very charm.
Rather than offering gentle encouragement, “OH!” is a song that pushes you forward with confidence and strength.
It really fires you up.
Bring that same motivation to your sports day or athletic festival, and tackle each event with full spirit.
ANTENNAMrs. GREEN APPLE
Brimming with a dynamic rock energy, this track is perfect as an exit song for a sports day! Featured on the album “ANTENNA,” the song was released by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE in July 2023.
Throughout, the forward-looking message and hope-filled lyrics leave a strong impression.
It’s a work that lets you fully experience the bright, signature sound of Mrs.
GREEN APPLE.
With a four-on-the-floor kick drum driving a powerful beat and an up-tempo feel, it matches perfectly with scenes of jogging off the field.
Be sure to consider using this song as BGM for your sports day.