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!
- [Sports Day] Entrance songs that will hype the crowd! A comprehensive roundup from classics to the latest hits
- [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: A curated selection of powerful BGM to fire up your fighting spirit!
- [March, Foot Races, Dance] Energetic songs and the latest hits to liven up a sports day
- [2026] Curated J-POP to Energize Sports Days and Athletic Festivals! Also Great as Entrance Music
- 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
- Cheer songs to hype up the sports day! A collection of motivational tracks recommended for kids
- Recommended exit songs for a sports day: a curated selection that perfectly suits a brisk, running exit!
Three-legged race (1–10)
Run!NEW!Momoiro Kurōbā Zetto

This is a signature song by the idol group Momoiro Clover Z, who have set numerous records as “weekend heroines.” Released to the world as the B-side of the single “Ikuze! Kaitō Shōjo” in May 2010, this track features a headlong sense of speed and a melody that bursts open in the chorus, sending listeners’ excitement to the absolute peak.
Its down-to-earth lyrics about shaking off hesitation and breaking into a run are deeply moving, making it a rock tune brimming with youthful spirit.
The upbeat rhythm that makes you want to clap along is perfect for matching each other’s pace like a three-legged race.
When it echoes across the field on the big day, it’ll bring everyone’s hearts together!
Limited ExpressNEW!yuzu

Yuzu, the duo that shot up from street performances in Yokohama to national fame.
Their single “Super Express,” released in November 2005, became well-loved as the theme song for Fuji TV’s reality dating show Ainori.
The sound blends the comfort of acoustics with an irresistible, take-off-running momentum—perfect for three-legged races at sports days and school athletic festivals! The down-to-earth lyrics, depicting the struggle to move forward despite inner conflict, give a powerful push to two nervous competitors.
Also included on the album Ribbon, this track fills the track and field with a refreshing, vibrant heat as you sprint in sync.
loveNEW!Hoshino Gen

This is an upbeat dance-pop song with a rhythmic melody and a rich palette of instrumental tones that feels pleasant to the ear.
It carries a warm message depicting the small joys found in everyday life and the preciousness of human connection.
Created by Gen Hoshino, the track was released as a single in October 2016 and was chosen as the theme song for the TBS drama “We Married as a Job” (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu), becoming a social phenomenon.
Its bright, lively tempo naturally invites handclaps, making it a perfect BGM for a three-legged race.
Even when nerves threaten to trip you up, the buoyant sound will give you a gentle push, helping the two of you fall into sync naturally.
RunnerNEW!bakufū suranpu

When it comes to classic sports day songs, many people probably think of this track.
It’s a smash hit by the rock band Bakufu Slump.
The powerful vocals of Sunplaza Nakano-kun and the exhilarating, fast-paced sound make it perfect for a school sports day.
Its coming-of-age theme, projecting feelings for friends who are leaving, really stirs the heart.
Released in October 1988 as their 12th single, the song is also included on the album “HIGH LANDER.” It was featured as an insert song on the TV show “Tensai! Takeshi no Genki ga Deru TV!!” and became a huge hit.
The clear, steady rhythm is ideal for syncing steps in the three-legged race.
Even when nerves make your feet feel tangled, the energetic melody will give you a push and help you match your stride!
Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?NEW!Ryokushokushakai

An uptempo track by Ryokushaka with a compelling sound that gives listeners a strong push forward.
Haruko Nagaya’s expansive vocals and the band’s energetic performance affirm the clumsy yet straightforward emotions of youth.
Chosen as the theme song for an ABEMA dating show, it was released digitally in July 2024 and later included on the album “Channel U.” Its exhilarating, fast-paced beat is perfect for school sports days when everyone wants to move as one.
Even in events like the three-legged race, where you might rush and get tangled up, this song’s bright melody somehow helps you find a shared rhythm.
A pop-rock tune brimming with heat and excitement, highly recommended for situations cheering on students aiming for the finish line with smiles.
Pole Toppling (11–20)
Bo-taoshi is a sport where you aim to knock down the opposing team’s pole while protecting your own.
Poles ranging from two to three meters, or even longer, are sometimes used, making it an incredibly intense and exciting event.
For bo-taoshi background music, cool tracks that fire up the fighting spirit are a perfect match.
I’ve selected some recommended songs, so please use them as a reference for your playlist.
Reference article: Stir up your fighting spirit! A roundup of songs that make the pole-toppling game explosively exciting
Pole Toppling (1–10)
Critical HitNEW!RADWIMPS

With overwhelming energy that electrifies heated contests, this is a RADWIMPS track.
The song is included on the album “X to O to Tsumi to” released in December 2013.
Although it had no standalone commercial tie-in, it became widely beloved after a baseball drama–style music video was released in January 2014 as a support project for exam-takers.
Its exhilarating, fast-paced rock sound and its theme of breaking through the status quo to seize victory are a perfect match for intense competitions like bō-taoshi.
Even while burdened with failures and anxieties, it’s a song that gives you the courage to aim for a dramatic comeback.
It’s a must-listen for moments when you want to fire yourself up or unite your team in fighting spirit.
ultra soulNEW!B’z

This is the ultimate upbeat track that fuses hard rock with digital sounds, powerfully inspiring the human spirit to fight on right before reaching its limits.
Even in a reality where you don’t know if your efforts will be rewarded, its theme of pushing forward with unwavering determination ignites the fighting spirit of everyone who listens.
Released in March 2001 as B’z’s 31st single, it gained massive support as the official theme song for the 2001 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, broadcast on TV Asahi.
A different version was later included on the album “GREEN.” It’s the perfect song for people facing a pole-toppling match where intense clashes continue under extreme conditions, or for anyone taking on a battle they absolutely can’t afford to lose.
Use the shout at the end of the chorus to send the energy of the entire venue skyrocketing.



