[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] Carefully selected J-POP to liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also recommended as entrance songs (181–190)
Rikuoh – Main Theme –Takayuki Hattori
Perfect for sports days and athletic festivals! An indispensable, moving piece is none other than the main theme from RIKUOH by Takayuki Hattori.
Featured on the soundtrack for TBS’s Sunday drama RIKUOH and released in December 2017, this work is distinguished by its weighty orchestration and quietly played piano melody.
Its dramatic development and warm harmonies speak deeply to the listener’s heart.
It’s a masterpiece that creates emotion and unity—essential for large-scale group gymnastics performances.
Play it during the entrance scene to boost the excitement and instantly brighten and enliven the atmosphere!
[2026] A Curated Selection of J-POP to Energize Sports Days and Athletic Festivals! Also Great as Entrance Songs (191–200)
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.
[Dance ONE Project ’20] “Mela!” Dance Demonstration (Tomioka High School)
![[Dance ONE Project '20] “Mela!” Dance Demonstration (Tomioka High School)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cSgSrXOJS7s/sddefault.jpg)
If you want to dance something cool, how about perfectly copying a routine from a famous high school dance team? The Tomioka High School Dance Club in Osaka, which shot to fame with their “Bubble Dance,” performs ‘Mela!’ with outstanding choreography and a breathtaking performance.
Top-level dance will definitely feel difficult, but if you can pull it off, it’s incredibly cool, right? If you want to nail it and look awesome at your middle or high school sports festival, you should definitely train hard and show it off!
I can only face forwardAKB48
When it comes to songs that further energize a student-centered sports day, AKB48’s 2014 release “Mae Shika Mukanee” stands out.
Paired with a driving, high-speed band sound, it sings out positive emotions.
Showcasing the group’s rich choral work and choreography, it’s also recommended if you’re looking for a cheer song for a large group.
It’s a rock number that paints a picture of a fiery heart and gives you a reason to look ahead even when you feel like giving up or losing heart.
Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy
An upbeat tune with energetic lyrics and a heart-pounding melody.
Released by Vaundy in May 2020, this track was crafted with live performances in mind and has become an iconic anthem for the live scene that emerged from the COVID-19 era.
It was also featured in Maruha Nichiro’s WILDish series commercials.
Built on a rock-driven sound with a fast tempo, the song’s call-and-response structure makes it a blast, igniting huge excitement at concerts.
Use it as an entrance song for school sports days, and it’s sure to boost participants’ motivation.
Add a flag dance performance, and it will hype things up even more.
RisingYoshida Kyōdai
This is a track whose moving Tsugaru shamisen tones instantly lift the energy of the venue.
It’s included on the Yoshida Brothers’ album RISING, released in February 2005.
Chosen as the TV commercial song for Asahi Super Dry, it captured the hearts of many.
The traditional timbre of Japanese instruments and modern arrangements fuse beautifully to create a unique sound world.
The shamisen’s intense yet beautiful sound is also popular as BGM for weddings in traditional Japanese attire.
Use it as an entrance song for sports days or athletic meets, and it’s sure to fire up the competitors and captivate the crowd!
Runnerbakufū suranpu
When it comes to running events, this song is a surefire hit.
It’s “Runner,” the smash hit by the rock band Bakufu Slump.
It was released in 1984 as their 12th single.
This hugely popular song is used as a cheer song across various sports.
Once you hear the chorus, you can’t help but sing along.
It’s probably the perfect choice to get everyone at the venue involved and pumped up.
You could even make a parody version and turn it into your group’s original song.