Carefully selected J-pop to liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs.
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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Carefully selected J‑Pop to amp up your sports day and athletic festival! Also great as entrance songs (91–100)
Dear sunriseŌtsuki Maki
A powerful song whose inspiring message toward a hopeful future resonates deeply.
Maki Otsuki’s warm vocals gently give listeners a push forward.
Released in January 2024, it was also chosen as the ending theme for One Piece’s Egghead Arc.
After projects like the album “Stories” and “memories,” her further-evolved sound is a must-hear.
Its bright, energetic melody is perfect for scenes where many people come together to create a single performance, such as group gymnastics.
Packed with excitement that makes you want to dance together, this track is sure to liven up the atmosphere as an entrance song for school sports days and athletic festivals!
A Little Love SongMONGOL800
This is “Chiisana Koi no Uta,” a massive hit and signature song by MONGOL800.
It’s a classic beloved by people of all ages.
Although it’s a love song, it’s also a piece that warms your heart as you think of someone special.
A film based on this song has even been released, and because it’s loved across generations, it’s a perfect fit as background music for a school sports day.
OrangeSPYAIR
A gem of a song born from a long-standing relationship with the series.
As the theme song for Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle: The Movie, it sings of the courage and hope to keep moving forward, with encounters and bonds among teammates as its theme.
It’s included on the EP “Orange,” released in February 2024.
Its up-tempo rhythm pairs well with a brisk exit scene at a school sports day.
Surely many children love this song, too.
The message of the piece is the importance of facing forward and moving ahead, even within limited time.
The lyrics, depicting the moment of taking flight with dreams on board, give listeners a gentle push forward.
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!
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.
Maru Maru Mori MoriKaoru to Tomoki, tama ni Mukku.
This catchy song, sprinkled with bright, upbeat wordplay and rhythmic onomatopoeia, is a heartwarming track that gently embraces children’s growth and everyday joys.
Its simple, easy-to-remember melody and lyrics depicting familiar happiness resonate honestly with listeners.
Released in May 2011 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Marumo no Okite,” it marked the debut of Kaoru to Tomoki, Tamani Mook.
It reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and also earned a spot in that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
With choreography everyone can enjoy and adorable vocals, it’s the perfect song not only as a cheer tune for sports days and athletic meets, but also for school events and any occasion where people want to get energized together.
OLA!!yuzu
This song was chosen as the theme for the movie Crayon Shin-chan: My Moving Story – Cactus Large Attack.
It was released in 2015 as Yuzu’s 42nd single.
Its bright, upbeat tone is definitely perfect for a school sports day.
