Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Carefully selected J-pop to liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs.

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.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

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.

Carefully selected J-pop to hype up your sports day and athletics festival! Also great as entrance songs (111–120)

chantAdo

"Spell" by Ado

chantAdo

@3sa103sato
Chant #ado Color guard Flag #I tired dancing #colorguard #flagThis song is fast and surprisingly tricky! lol While organizing my videos, I found a clip of me dancing before Halloween, so here’s my second post!
Sing (Cover) – Unnämed

This work is characterized by lyrics that are both energetic and introspective.

Ado’s overwhelming vocal prowess intertwines with an EDM sound featuring exotic beats reminiscent of Indian music, leaving a powerful impression on listeners.

Released in September 2023, it was produced as a collaboration track for Universal Studios Japan’s Halloween event, “Halloween Horror Nights.” It achieved major commercial success, including seven consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Billboard JAPAN Streaming Songs chart.

With lyrics that celebrate individuality and diversity, it would make an excellent entrance song for sports days or athletic festivals, igniting participants’ spirits and boosting their motivation.

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Carefully selected J-pop to energize your sports day and athletic festival! Also great as entrance songs (121–130)

No.1DISH//

DISH// – No.1 [Official Video] (TV Anime “My Hero Academia” Season 5 Opening Theme / MY HERO ACADEMIA OPENING THEME)

No.1DISH//

A guitar-rock tune that powerfully resonates with a message of charging straight toward your goals with an unwavering heart! Released by DISH// in May 2021, this track stands out with its exhilarating piano and edgy guitar sound.

It embodies a strong will to keep moving toward the light of hope without losing sight of your destination, along with a determination to live authentically without making excuses.

Chosen as the opening theme for the first cour of Season 5 of the TV anime My Hero Academia, it won strong support from anime fans as well.

It’s a powerful cheering song you’ll want to hear when you need the courage to face forward—before an important match, in moments of anxiety, or anytime you’re preparing your heart for what’s ahead.

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BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – BOW AND ARROW

BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi

The exhilarating melody and powerful drum patterns brilliantly capture the sensation of sprinting forward.

Crafted by Kenshi Yonezu, this piece portrays the courage and passion of taking on figure skating through the metaphor of a bow and arrow.

It vividly depicts both the challenger striving to surpass themselves and the bonds with those who support them, achieving a fine balance between the allure of sports and human drama.

Released in January 2025, it was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime “Medalist.” Yonezu, a fan of the original work, personally requested to create the anime’s theme song—a background that is reflected in the work’s high level of polish.

From brisk exit scenes to dynamic performances at school sports days, the song’s tone complements the powerful movements of children and stands out as one of its key charms.

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sparkleFuji Kaze

Fujii Kaze – Kirari (Official Video)

sparkleFuji Kaze

This is Mr.

Fujii Kaze’s sixth digital-only single, released in May 2021 by HEHN RECORDS/Universal Music.

It was also used in the commercial for Honda’s fully redesigned VEZEL, so many people have likely heard it.

With its comfortable rhythm, it’s one of the tracks well-suited to mass formation performances where formations change in sync with the timing.

In addition, the song’s uniquely refreshing and near-futuristic feel seems poised to add contrast and dynamism to a sports day event.

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Live in the present.Saucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Live in the present.” Music Video

Live in the present.Saucy Dog

Powerfully singing of youthful passion and hope, this Saucy Dog track was created as a cheer anthem for the 101st All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.

Portraying growth through overcoming setbacks and hardship, bonds with teammates, and the courage to move forward while staying true to oneself, the song deeply resonates with young people navigating high school life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Released in December 2022, it has become an indispensable fan favorite at their live shows, giving a strong push not only to soccer players but also to students working hard every day for their clubs and school events.

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PLAYERSYOASOBI

PLAYERS

PLAYERSYOASOBI

YOASOBI released a memorable track in March 2025, marked by energetic chants and a catchy sound.

Born from a project celebrating PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, this ambitious attempt to portray gamers’ memories through music delivers a positive message centered on challenge and growth.

The story warmly depicts how protagonists encountered in game worlds encourage us in real life and expand our hopes for the future, and the song was also featured in a special PlayStation 30th anniversary commercial.

With a star-studded lineup including Nanase Nishino, Usada Pekora, and Kiyo, the work showcases the appeal of gaming.

It’s a perfect song to boost motivation during sports day practice or athletic festival training.

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Crimson Bow and ArrowLinked Horizon

Attack on Titan OP [Guren no Yumiya] High Quality Audio

Crimson Bow and ArrowLinked Horizon

A song well known as the opening theme of the anime Attack on Titan.

It’s recommended as BGM for scoring events.

It might also work well for large group performances like mass games.

It will definitely boost the morale of the competitors, and since there are several chant-like shouts throughout the song, the cheering side is sure to get fired up along with them!

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