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
Parachute (1–10)
The wind is blowing.ikimonogakari
This song is characterized by a grand, hope-filled melody and a message that embraces the changing times with positivity.
Even in difficult situations, its powerful determination to keep moving forward, together with the orchestral arrangement, gives courage to listeners.
Released in July 2012 as Ikimono-gakari’s 24th single, it was selected as NHK’s theme song for the London Olympic and Paralympic broadcasts.
The track is also included on the album “I,” captivating audiences with its majestic scale and rich, resonant sound.
It’s a perfect match for parachute-ball (paraballoon) performances as well—its dynamic melody and strong message will highlight children’s energetic movements.
Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s “Que Sera Sera” is a song that gently stays by your side and gives you the courage to look ahead.
Its lyrics convey a strong will to face adversity and the importance of self-acceptance, softly nudging everyone who deals with daily challenges forward.
Chosen as the theme song for the drama “About Sunday Night…” it was released digitally in April 2023.
It also featured in a Spotify commercial, drawing wide attention.
The track became a massive hit, surpassing 200 million streams at the fastest pace in the band’s history, and won an Excellence Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards.
If you use it with a parachute (parachute dance), focus on the chorus—sing along and lighten your heart.
It’s sure to become a wonderful memory!
AdventureYOASOBI
YOASOBI’s song “Adventure” is a happy tune packed with the joy of exploration! Released in February 2023, it was chosen as the theme song for Universal Studios Japan’s “Uniharu” campaign.
The lyrics evoke the thrill of breaking out of everyday life and diving into the unknown, making you feel excited just by listening.
With youth as its motif, it’s perfect for sparking a sense of adventure and fun! It’s great as background music for outings and will make parachute-play time even more lively.
Smileyuzu
A song by YUZU, the folk duo that many people first picture when they hear “artists who started as street musicians.” It’s included on their fourth mini-album, YUZU SMILE, which is themed around “smile.” The acoustic guitar riding a lively shuffle beat and their exquisite harmonies feel so pleasant, don’t they? The choral sections in the song can be sung along by children during performances, creating an even greater sense of unity.
It’s a refreshing number brimming with energy, perfect for a colorful parachute routine.
Let’s give it a tryWANIMA
A three-piece rock band, WANIMA excites fans primarily on the live circuit with a high-tension melodic hardcore sound and undeniably compelling harmonies.
This is their first digital-only single.
It’s a cover of the English folk song “Picnic,” and was featured in au’s popular “Santaro Series” commercials.
The positive lyrics set to a familiar melody could fuel the energy of children striving to perfect a performance at a school sports day.
With a driving arrangement that highlights the vivid colors of a parachute routine, it’s a solid yet pop-tinged rock tune.
CharacterRyokushokushakai
Ryokuoushoku Shakai—also known as Ryokushaka—is a pop band with a captivatingly colorful worldview, and their mid-tempo upbeat track “Character” is a standout.
Included on the album “Actor,” released in January 2022, it’s a motivational song that carries messages about the value of individuality and boosting self-esteem.
The lyrics are sprinkled with themes of the meaning of being born and the worth of one’s existence, without comparing oneself to others.
It’s a song we’d love kids who are active in school events to hear! Its bright melody and uplifting words make it approachable even for lower-grade children, and it’s a perfect fit for a kindergarten or preschool sports day’s parachute routine.
swallowYOASOBI with Midorīzu
Swallow by YOASOBI with Midories was produced to coincide with NHK’s SDGs Month.
This song, which sings about the importance of continuing to pursue your dreams and about coexisting with nature, can truly be called a piece for the children who will lead our future.
Its pop, bright sound; easy-to-follow rhythm; and a tempo that’s neither too fast nor too slow make it perfect for a sports day parachute routine or dance! While using it as a sports day song, it would also be great to clearly convey to the children the message the song is trying to share.
