From classics to fan favorites! A catalog of music and BGM to liven up your sports day
Many people struggle with choosing songs for sports day, don’t they?
Here, we introduce perfect tracks for each scene—from classic staples ideal for sports day to upbeat J-pop and Western hits that get everyone excited!
Well-known songs can hype up the crowd, but using the same ones every year can get old…
We’ve curated a selection of tracks to solve that problem.
You’ll find refreshing tunes that make you want to start running and motivational anthems that give you courage.
Use this article as a guide to make your sports day even more fun and exciting!
- Songs that hype up the athlete entrance at school sports festivals
- [Sports Day] Songs for footraces: tracks that make kids want to run [classics & J-pop]
- [Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM!
- [Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: powerful BGM that ignites your fighting spirit
- Carefully selected J-pop to liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs.
- [March, Foot Races, Dance] Energetic songs and the latest hits to liven up a sports day
- Recommended Songs for Group Gymnastics: A Collection of Tracks to Elevate Your Routine [2026]
- [Sports Day BGM] A selection of classic tunes that liven up the venue
- Top Songs to Hype Up Sports Day and Athletic Festivals [2026]
- Get Fired Up! A Collection of Anime Songs to Hype Up Your Sports Day and Athletic Festival
- [To All Athletes] Inspirational Sports Anthems & Empowering Theme Songs
- [Dance Songs] Recommended for school sports days and athletic festivals! A curated selection of popular tracks that are fun to dance to
- Cheer songs to hype up the sports day! A collection of motivational tracks recommended for kids
Relay race (21–30)
Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai
This is a dynamic, invigorating track that dramatically portrays an all-out sprint.
Looking back as an adult, it brings to mind that fiery page of youth when we ran with everything we had.
Produced in July 2024 as the theme song for ABEMA’s “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita Summer Vacation 2024,” the piece achieves an epic sense of scale through a collaboration with a 40-piece orchestra.
Its powerful melody and driving sound gently encourage young people to move forward without fear of taking on new challenges.
It’s also an ideal choice for background music at school sports days and athletic events.
Relay and Footrace (31–40)
Kimisidai TrainONE OK ROCK
It’s a powerful track packed with a passionate message centered on self-improvement and moving forward.
It directly appeals to the importance of stepping into the future built on past experiences, delivering a heartfelt message alongside emotional sounds.
The driving beats and well-timed dynamic shifts create an intensity that powerfully stirs listeners.
The song was included on the album “Zankyo Reference,” released in October 2011.
It’s known as a staple at ONE OK ROCK’s live shows, igniting the crowd and fostering a strong sense of unity in the venue.
For those facing a challenge or looking to reflect on themselves, this song will be a dependable ally that gives you a push forward.
Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO
It’s a friendly, feel-good cheer song that almost everyone has heard at least once.
Unusual among SHISHAMO’s works, it was created based on the excitement felt while watching a match of the soccer team Kawasaki Frontale.
Released in February 2017 as a track on the album “SHISHAMO 4,” it gained wide recognition through its tie-in with an NTT Docomo commercial.
Singing about the joy of meeting your dream heroes on the weekend and the energy you get from it, the song features warm lyrics that convey the support around you and hope for the future.
Even in tough or discouraging times, it’s a stirring track that gives you the courage and strength to look forward, and it resonates in moments when you step forward with power—such as the entrance at a sports day or the opening of a school athletic festival.
Dance songs (31–40)
These days, dance has been incorporated into PE classes, and it’s become standard to showcase dances at school sports festivals.
In J-pop, choreography often becomes a major talking point, so choosing songs that everyone knows will make things even more exciting.
Use the songs introduced below as a reference to pick your setlist, and put on a high-energy dance performance.
Reference article: [Dance Songs] Recommended for school sports days and athletic festivals! A curated selection of popular tracks that are fun to dance to
Dance tracks (1–10)
King Kila GameNEW!MAZZEL
This track fuses fiery rock hype with a dance beat—essentially a new anthem for Marzel.
It was released in advance as the lead song for their first EP, “Royal Straight Flush,” which dropped in April 2025.
Stripped of logic, it delivers a passionate message that “the ones who have fun win,” and it creates an exhilarating feeling that makes your body move naturally as you listen.
The choreography by KAZ the FIRE is also distinctive; the chorus features a card-drawing motion that went viral on social media.
The music video is a must-see as well, set in a near-future Tokyo with large-scale visuals of the members dancing wildly with robots.
It’s perfect for moments when you want to forget everyday stress and go wild, or when you want to hype things up with friends!
I’ll be your HERODa-iCE
This song by Da-iCE has captured the hearts of many young people as a rousing anthem filled with hope and courage for the future.
It’s included on the album “MUSi-aM” and was selected as the required track for the High School Dance Video Festival 2025 featured on Nippon TV’s DayDay.
The lyrics, imbued with a strong desire to become someone’s hero, blend seamlessly with the dance performance to create a standout piece.
If you perform it at a school sports festival, its energetic rhythm and powerful choreography are sure to unite the crowd.
Pour your passion into it and craft a fantastic performance.
lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE
A heartwarming cheer song by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE that gently embraces the youthful days where hope and anxiety coexist.
While tenderly acknowledging the loneliness and inner struggles we carry as time passes, it conveys the message: “Cherish yourself just as you are.” Released in April 2024 as the opening theme for the anime “Oblivion Battery” (Bokyaku Battery), it won the Grand Prize at the 66th Japan Record Awards.
Singing of unforgettable memories and bonds with cherished people, this song is perfect for group performances at school sports festivals and field days.
It fosters unity among students and helps create unforgettable moments.
hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake
Omoinotake’s songs wrap your heart in a refreshing voice as clear as crisp air and a comforting sound.
It’s a gem of a love song that portrays unwavering feelings for a loved one and a bond that transcends time and distance.
Released in February 2024 and included on the album “Pieces,” it was chosen as the theme song for TBS’s Tuesday drama “Eye Love You” and selected as the entrance march for the 97th National High School Baseball Championship.
Its melodious sound and warm lyrics are perfect for dance time at school sports days and athletic festivals.
Brimming with exhilarating freshness and groove, the arrangement is full of charm that lifts the listener’s spirits.