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
Cavalry Battle (1–10)
Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI
A song released by SEKAI NO OWARI in 2023, written as the theme for the anime ONE PIECE.
Its upbeat lyrics and fast-paced sound are perfect for a cavalry battle at a school sports festival! The fanfare-like sound in the instrumental break is also glamorous.
It’s a track that conveys not only speed but warmth, too, which will make you feel even more determined to fight it out to the very end with your friends.
InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE
This song, used as the opening theme for the anime Fire Force, conveys a sense of speed from the very first drum beats and a feeling that something is about to begin.
In events where momentum is crucial—like cavalry battles—it will surely boost athletes’ motivation with a “Let’s go!” spirit.
In fact, the song encapsulates both transience and passion, asking what meaning we find in a life that will one day end and how we live with that awareness.
It’s an ideal track for spending your school days—a youth that will inevitably come to an end—with burning intensity.
SenbonzakuraWagakki Band
Senbonzakura by Wagakki Band, formed by blending traditional Japanese instruments—shakuhachi, koto, Tsugaru shamisen, and taiko—with Western instruments like guitar, bass, and drums.
Unlike the original track by Kurousa-P, it takes on a different atmosphere, gaining a unique allure through its added Japanese aesthetic.
The driving rhythm can boost athletes’ motivation and may help them draw out more than their usual performance.
It’s sure to fire up the cheering, too.
The lyrics, which feel like issuing a challenge to battle, are a perfect fit for events like cavalry battles.
Shinsengumi! Main ThemeTakayuki Hattori
This piece is characterized by a grand, powerful melody.
It superbly captures the spirit of the Shinsengumi, who lived through the turmoil at the end of the Edo period.
Its weighty sound, led by brass and strings, conveys the tension and pride of samurai marching into battle.
Used as the main theme for NHK’s 2004 Taiga drama “Shinsengumi!”, it left a lasting impression on many viewers.
It’s a track that fully showcases Takayuki Hattori’s exceptional compositional prowess and is perfect as BGM for cavalry battles.
Listening to its valiant atmosphere will make anyone feel like a member of the Shinsengumi.
If used as BGM for cavalry battles, it’s sure to excite both participants and spectators alike!
Zankyo SankaAimer
Released in 2022 and used as the opening theme for the anime Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc, Aimer’s “Zankyo Sanka” is an upbeat track featuring brilliant brass band tones.
The dynamic sound pairs exquisitely with Aimer’s powerful yet delicate husky voice.
Its blazing, high-impact band sound perfectly matches the fervor of a cavalry battle.
single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu
“Ichizu” cranks up the voltage for the cavalry battle, where fierce clashes send the crowd’s energy soaring.
Released by King Gnu in 2021, the song was chosen as the theme for the film Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
It features a driving guitar riff and a fiery band groove.
Among their tracks, it has a relatively simple instrumental setup, making it a perfect fit for high-intensity sports day events.
Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE
A signature song by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE that was chosen as the theme for the youth film “Ao-Natsu: Kimi ni Koi Shita 30-Nichi,” starring Yuto Sano and Wakana Aoi.
Its chorus, overflowing with 100% pure youthful energy that you’ll never forget, is sure to fire up any sports day or athletic festival.
In particular, it’s a perfect fit for high-energy events like cavalry battles and relays.