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 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.
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!

Dance tracks (11–20)

This Is MeThe Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman – This Is Me Lyric Video

This Is MeThe Greatest Showman

This song is a powerful power ballad loved by many.

It’s one of the tracks included on the album “The Greatest Showman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack,” released in December 2017, and its grand sound—melding pop with show tunes—is a major draw.

With a strong message about self-affirmation and the importance of diversity, it won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 2018.

Used on the soundtrack of the film The Greatest Showman, it’s memorably featured in the scene where P.T.

Barnum’s circus troupe boldly proclaims their self-worth.

For group gymnastics routines, its driving tempo and uplifting message foster unity and amplify the performance’s impact, making it an outstanding choice.

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together; along with; bothWANIMA

[Together JGT ver.] / WANIMA / Japan’s Got Talent ver. | Choreography by Sota GANMI | *CJDA DANCE VIDEO No.39*

together; along with; bothWANIMA

With an explosive, high-energy message and exhilarating sound, this popular WANIMA song grabs listeners by the heart.

While gently embracing the everyday anxieties and doubts of young people, it resonates with many as an empowering anthem that pushes them forward toward the future.

Chosen in August 2016 as the song for NIVEA Kao’s 8×4 commercial, it is said to also carry the band’s feelings for their hometown after experiencing the Kumamoto earthquakes.

It’s a perfect track for sports day or school festival dance times, offering courage and hope to keep moving ahead.

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Dance tracks (21–30)

fatesumika

[Easy! Sports Day Dance] Fate / sumika (for lower grades to high school students) Creative Dance, Culture Festival, Sports Festival, etc.

fatesumika

This song by sumika features lyrics that start like a counting rhyme from “1” and a catchy, poppy sound.

Released in April 2024 as the opening theme for the TV anime Dungeon Meshi Season 2, it delivers a positive message about taking on the unknown.

Its upbeat, tricky sound perfectly matches the theme of enjoying life—failures included.

It’s a bright, uplifting track that can create a sense of unity across a whole venue, making it perfect for dance-time at school sports days and athletic festivals.

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A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko

A Cruel Angel's Thesis / Yoko Takahashi [Avantgardey]

A Cruel Angel's ThesisTakahashi Yoko

An epic-scale anime song themed around angels and destiny that conveys courage and hope.

Released in October 1995, this track captivated many fans as the opening theme of the anime “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” with lyrics that brilliantly capture the world of the series and Yoko Takahashi’s powerful vocals.

It embodies a resolve to soar into the future, a readiness to grow, and a wish for self-realization, overflowing with a moving message that stirs the heart.

Its energetic rhythm and dynamic sound are sure to add flair and excitement to school sports festivals and dance performances.

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Tamaire / Dancing Tamaire (21–30)

Speaking of tamaire (ball-toss), it’s a classic sports day event enjoyed by everyone from lower graders to adults, but did you know it’s been evolving lately? Enter the “Dancing Tamaire.” As the name suggests, it’s a competition that combines tamaire with dance, which makes the choice of background music even more important than in regular tamaire! Upbeat tracks that both hype up the heated competition and make it easy to dance are highly recommended.

Use the songs introduced below as a reference when picking your playlist.

Reference article: [Dancing Tamaire] A fun song for the beanbag-toss game, perfect for sports day

Tamaire / Dancing Tamaire (1–10)

PopopopoposeGReeeeN

Popopo Pose / GReeeeN [Sports Day, Recital Dance] Easy Dance Choreography

PopopopoposeGReeeeN

Although it was written for a children’s TV show, this GReeeeN song can be enjoyed by both adults and kids.

It’s perfect for a “dancing tamaire” game, letting everyone sing and dance with plenty of energy while striking hand poses.

Just listening to the song’s string of cute words naturally brings a smile to your face.

Released in September 2019 and included on the album “Dai-ku,” the track was created for NHK E-TV’s “Inai Inai Baa!” You’ll have a wonderful time moving your body, laughing together, and sharing joyful moments.

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Matsuken Samba IIMatsudaira Ken

[Matsuken Samba II] Dance it at recitals and year-end parties! “Clack-Clack Sticks & Easy Dance” (with a video on how to make the sticks!) by Ken Matsudaira

Matsuken Samba IIMatsudaira Ken

A hit song by Ken Matsudaira that was released in July 2004 and sparked a massive craze.

Many of you can probably still picture Matsudaira delivering a dazzling dance to the cheerful, samba-inspired sound.

With its unique blend of Japanese tradition and Latin passion, this track is perfect for a ball-toss event at a sports day—both participants and spectators might find themselves dancing before they know it! Try copying the glamorous moves of the Komogimo Dancers and have a great time together.

If you’re not confident about dancing, just sway to the rhythm and you’re good! It’s the perfect song for making fun memories.

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Pecori♡NightGorie with Jasmine & Joann

Pecori♡Night / Gorie with Jasmine & Joann [Sports Day, School Performance Dance] Easy Dance Choreography

Pecori♡NightGorie with Jasmine & Joann

An energetic, cheerleader-like song that’s perfect for the ball-toss event at a school sports day! With a disco-style beat, it conveys a bright vibe that invites everyone to enjoy a love-filled night.

Released in September 2005, this track was also used as the image song for Fuji TV’s “Odaiba Bouken-O 2005,” gaining popularity across generations.

Its choreography became a hot topic and sparked a nationwide craze.

It made a big splash, debuting at No.

3 on the Oricon charts.

It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s fun to dance to—be sure to use it as BGM for your ball-toss game!

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