Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

From classics to fan favorites! A catalog of music and BGM to liven up your sports day

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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

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!

Mass Games (1–10)

SignalWANIMA

SIGNAL

SignalWANIMA

With its energetic intro, WANIMA’s “Signal” is a perfect song for livening up a sports day! The chorus melody is easy to remember, and the powerful lyrics will make it the highlight of the event.

It would be great to incorporate expressive elements into dance or mass performances! When everyone comes together as one and dances earnestly, it moves and inspires the audience.

It’s recommended for around third grade and up, so be sure to give it a try.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

HarukaYOASOBI

YOASOBI 'Haruka' Official Music Video

HarukaYOASOBI

YOASOBI’s songs weave stories that transcend time and touch people’s hearts.

This work turns a moving tale about a mug and a young girl into song.

A gem born from a collaboration with broadcast writer Osamu Suzuki, it was released as a digital-only single in December 2020.

Its relaxed tempo and friendly melody make it perfect for group performances, letting you feel the bonds with your companions.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Mela!Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Mela!' Music Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Mela!

Mela!Ryokushokushakai

Incorporating “Mela!” by Ryokuoushoku Shakai—a song known for its catchy lyrics and melody—into a mass performance is highly recommended.

From the very beginning, by moving the arms and adding jumps, the dance becomes something that makes the audience want to clap along.

Preparing costumes in vibrant colors will match the song perfectly, create a sense of unity, and make it even more enjoyable.

With repeated practice, I’m sure you’ll be able to deliver a wonderful mass performance full of smiles on the big day.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

A view I’ve never seen beforeSuda Masaki

Masaki Suda “A Scenery I’ve Never Seen”

A view I've never seen beforeSuda Masaki

Masaki Suda’s “Mita Koto mo Nai Keshiki” really shines with its powerful high notes in the chorus—that’s the main highlight.

It’s a song that lets you move your body to the tempo while incorporating big handclaps.

There’s also an instrumental break, so it’s a great choice when you want to include changes in formation or full-group transitions.

Since parts of the song are up-tempo, introducing it from around the upper elementary grades could allow for dynamic, fast-paced performances—perfect for cool dances or mass games that showcase a sense of speed.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Hype Songs (11–20)

So far, we’ve introduced songs that are perfect for various sports day scenes—have you decided on your selections? From here, we’ll introduce songs that can be used in any scene and will really amp up the excitement at a sports day! We’ll be highlighting trending J-pop and tracks that are hugely popular across a wide range of age groups, so don’t miss out! Reference article: [2026] Curated J-POP to Energize Sports Days and Athletic Festivals! Also Great as Entrance Music

Upbeat songs (1–10)

STARSNEW!Snow Man

Snow Man ‘STARS’ Music Video

STARSNEW!Snow Man

An ultra-energizing dance-pop track that feels like it could empower anyone striving toward their dreams.

With a dynamic, pulsing beat and a melody full of hope, it delivers an exhilarating rush that makes you want to move.

Released by Snow Man in February 2026, it’s been featured as the theme song for TBS Sports 2026 and in coverage related to the Winter Olympics.

Use it as an entrance tune for a school sports day and the excitement on the field will skyrocket for sure! Highly recommended for anyone looking for a motivational anthem that gives a powerful push to those embarking on a new beginning.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

TouchNEW!Inaba Hiroshi

Koshi Inaba / Touch

TouchNEW!Inaba Hiroshi

Koshi Inaba, the singer-songwriter best known as the vocalist of Japan’s iconic rock duo B’z.

This track, released as a cover in March 2026 of a beloved national anime song originally released in March 1985, fuses the familiar, approachable melody of the original with a sharp-edged rock sound, dynamically expressing the passion and urgency of stepping up to compete.

Following his solo album “Tada Mono,” released in June 2024, the song was selected as the Japan domestic Netflix rally anthem for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Its exhilarating arrangement is perfect for entrance scenes at school sports days and athletic meets.

It’s a top-tier upper tune that will set the fighting spirit of players ablaze as they head onto the field.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

GloriousNEW!BE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Glorious -Special Movie-

GloriousNEW!BE:FIRST

You can’t take your ears off the beautiful harmonies and overwhelming vocal work! It’s a song by BE:FIRST, a dance and vocal group under BMSG.

After its digital release in November 2023, it was also included on the 2024 single “Masterplan” and the album “2:BE.” It was chosen as the support song for the 102nd All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, so many of you may already know it.

The warm message is wonderful—not only about wins and losses, but about affirming the earnest spirit of taking on challenges and the journey you’ve walked.

Its emotional, powerful melody pairs perfectly with scenes of giving your all at sports days and athletic festivals, bringing everyone’s hearts together.

It’s also highly recommended as an entrance song!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem