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 energize your sports day and athletic festival! Also great as entrance songs (41–50)

ultra soulB’z

B’z / ultra soul

ultra soulB'z

Among the many songs by B’z, who have been active for over 30 years, “ultra soul” remains a fan favorite.

Not only has it been used as the theme song for the World Aquatics Championships, but it’s also frequently heard in various sports settings.

Its rock sound combined with a driving programmed rhythm track steadily ramps up the excitement.

Use it for pep rallies or dance performances, and if everyone shouts together at the end of the chorus, you’re sure to feel an unbeatable sense of unity!

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Carefully selected J-pop to hype up your sports day/athletics festival! Also great as entrance songs (51–60)

The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP

The Only Flower in the World – SMAP

The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP

Now a regular feature in music textbooks, this is one of SMAP’s signature songs.

The lyrics and music are by Noriyuki Makihara.

Its moving message—that neither people nor flowers can be ranked and that everyone is special—resonated with many.

SMAP member Kimura particularly adored this song, and he was overjoyed when it was released as a single.

According to Makihara, the foundation of “Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana” lies in Buddhist thought.

It’s an indispensable, inspiring song for moments of mutual recognition and support!

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Soul RevolutionSuperfly

Superfly 'Tamashii Revolution' Music Video

Soul RevolutionSuperfly

Since the sports festival only happens once a year, you really want to make it exciting, right? “Tamashii Revolution” is a song that cranks the energy up to the max.

Just like the title says, it lights a fire in your soul and makes you feel ready to go for it.

Sports festivals are full of competitions and showdowns, so you want to ignite that fighting spirit.

This song’s melody and lyrics really fire you up.

Definitely try using it as BGM for the festival.

Even if you’re not great at sports, it’ll fill you with motivation.

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kinoshita ayaka

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lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Lilac” Official Music Video

lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE

How about livening up your sports day with this track, marked by its emotionally charged vocals? Chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime “Oblivion Battery,” it shines with Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s signature refreshing rock sound.

The lyrics dynamically portray the complex emotions of youth, resonating powerfully with listeners.

Carrying a profound message about the importance of living true to yourself, this song was released in April 2024 and is perfect as entrance music for athletes heading into competition.

It’ll fill you with motivation.

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Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā

Sambomaster / Starting to Shine and Run - MUSIC VIDEO

Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā

An energetic guitar rock track that sings, “Don’t give up even when you hit difficulties or walls!” It’s a song by Sambomaster, the three-piece band known for hits like “Sekai wa Sore o Ai to Yobun da ze,” released as a single in 2018.

Chosen as the theme song for the drama Cheer☆Dan, which depicts the achievements of a cheer dance club, it became a hot topic.

Its passionate, powerful message fires you up.

It might make your school sports day or athletic festival even hotter and more exciting.

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Bridge of Gloryyuzu

Eikou no Kakehashi – Yuzu (Full)

Bridge of Gloryyuzu

Yuzu, the folk duo that probably comes to mind first when you think of musicians who came from the streets.

Their 21st single, Eikou no Kakehashi (Bridge of Glory), chosen as the official theme song for NHK’s Athens Olympics coverage, delivers a stirring message to charge ahead toward your dreams without hesitation.

Its dramatic melody seems perfect for boosting team spirit at events like school sports days and athletic festivals where everyone rallies together to aim for victory.

It’s a song that makes you hum along and lifts your energy when played as background music, overlapping with the emotion of the Olympics.

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Hoshino Takashi

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JUMPIkuta Rira

Rira Ikuta “JUMP” Official Music Video

JUMPIkuta Rira

“JUMP” is a masterpiece that showcases the breadth of Lila Ikuta’s musicality and talent.

Centered on self-belief and a forward-looking mindset, the song portrays the importance of moving toward one’s dreams while overcoming anxiety and hardship.

It speaks of gaining the confidence to push past a racing heartbeat and looming obstacles, and depicts the journey of making dreams come true with the support and cooperation of many.

It carries a strong resolve to keep believing in oneself even when faced with walls.

Released in November 2022, it’s also included on the album “Sketch.” This standout track was selected as the official theme song for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 broadcasts.

It’s a song that gives courage to take on challenges and the strength to move forward in sports scenes.

Be sure to play it at school sports days and athletic festivals to get everyone fired up!

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