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 liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs (161–170)

100% CourageHikaru GENJI

100% Courage

100% CourageHikaru GENJI

The theme song of the anime Nintama Rantaro is packed with messages that boost energy and courage! Released in May 1993, the song was brought to fame by Hikaru GENJI and has since been passed down and performed by junior groups like Hey! Say! JUMP and Sexy Zone.

Its bright, positive lyrics and lively rhythm blend beautifully.

When you listen to it when you’re feeling down, discouraged, or on the verge of giving up a challenge, it mysteriously gives you a push forward.

It’s also perfect as BGM for sports days and athletic festivals, or as a dance track.

It’s a song that accompanies scenes where everyone works up a sweat together and gets absorbed in what they’re doing.

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VertigoMAN WITH A MISSION

MAN WITH A MISSION「Vertigo」

VertigoMAN WITH A MISSION

A powerful track that fuses a sharp social perspective with an energetic sound.

Even amid instability, it carries a determination to move forward, resonating deeply with listeners.

Included on MAN WITH A MISSION’s EP “XV e.p.,” released on March 12, 2025, and used as the promotional song for the near-futuristic sci-fi mech game “Mecha BREAK,” this piece is perfect for sports days and athletic festivals—an anthem that strongly pushes you forward as you strive toward your goals with your teammates.

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JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 3 Execution BGMKanno Yugo

[JoJo Part 3 Execution BGM] Stardust Crusaders [Osaka Toin High School Brass Band]

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 3 Execution BGMKanno Yugo

A march that is uniquely Yugo Kanno, gripping audiences with its distinctive rhythm and powerful sound.

The rock-style melody centered on electric guitar and the weighty rhythm section are truly striking.

Although it was composed as background music, its ability to elevate tense entrance scenes showcases Kanno’s outstanding compositional talent to the fullest.

Use it for entrances and exits at a school sports day, and your entire class is sure to step in with fired-up expressions!

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Tetote with GReeeeNwhiteeeen

whiteeeen “Tetote with GReeeeN” MV (Short Ver.)

Tetote with GReeeeNwhiteeeen

Formed in 2014 as the “little sister” group of GReeeeN, whiteeeen is popular for songs that express genuine, down-to-earth feelings, just like GReeeeN.

“Tetote with GReeeeN” was used in a Shiseido SEA BREEZE commercial and released as a single in 2017.

It’s an upbeat love song that gives you courage.

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I can flyYOSHIKI EZAKI x Bleecker Chrome

YOSHIKI EZAKI × Bleecker Chrome「I can fly」

I can flyYOSHIKI EZAKI x Bleecker Chrome

YOSHIKI EZAKI x Bleecker Chrome drew attention as a collaboration between artists dominating today’s J-POP hip-hop scene.

Their song “I can fly,” chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup, stands out with a rock-tinged track and emotionally layered vocals.

The driving melodies over a floating, crystalline ensemble are guaranteed to raise the voltage at any sporting event.

It’s a modern pop tune perfect as BGM for school sports days and athletic festivals.

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Hoshino Takashi

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rayBUMP OF CHICKEN

BUMP OF CHICKEN「ray」

rayBUMP OF CHICKEN

“ray” is the title track of RAY, the album released in 2014 by BUMP OF CHICKEN, a rock band whose profound lyrics have captivated many fans.

Topping both the Oricon weekly chart and Billboard JAPAN’s sales chart, this song is a masterpiece, with Motoo Fujiwara’s emotional vocals resonating deeply.

Its relaxed tempo and the sense of release in the chorus make it perfect as background music to play between events or competitions, so I highly recommend using it!

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FantasistaDragon Ash

Dragon Ash｢Fantasista｣

FantasistaDragon Ash

A classic Dragon Ash track that fuses powerful guitar sounds with a danceable beat.

The mix of English lyrics and striking flows in this mixture rock piece brims with elation and passion.

Released in March 2002, it was chosen as the theme song for Nippon TV’s broadcasts of the 2002 FIFA World Cup that same year, and was also included on the album HARVEST.

In live performances, it famously kicks off with Kj’s call, instantly sweeping the entire venue into a frenzy.

Energetic and positive, this song is perfect for boosting your motivation during training.

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