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
Mass Games (11–20)
damnFuji Kaze

Fujii Kaze’s “damn,” known for its fast tempo and powerful vocals, lends itself to a cohesive feel by keeping the choreography simple, making unified movement easier to express.
Because the rhythm and tempo are quick, let’s have fun dancing while moving your body so you can flow smoothly into the chorus.
The tempo is on the faster side, but be mindful to dance with a smile as well.
If you move confidently to the rhythm, I believe you can convey a powerful mass performance—so do your best!
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: Carefully selected J-pop to liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs.
Upbeat songs (1–10)
Let’s give it a tryWANIMA

This song is actually a cover of the British folk tune “Picnic,” which everyone has probably heard at least once.
If you’re thinking, “What’s that?”, you’ll likely recognize it when you listen to WANIMA’s “Yatte Mio”! It’s the song that often plays in au’s popular Santaro series of commercials.
Who would’ve thought a British folk song could become so captivating with WANIMA’s approachable rock arrangement! The lyrics—encouraging you to not get discouraged by anything and to just give it a try—make it perfect for a sports day where everyone’s giving their best.
It’s also a great fit as background music for walking races or obstacle courses.
hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

A gem of a mid-tempo tune from Omoinotake that sings of a powerful feeling transcending time and distance.
Riding on a melodious horn section and an exhilarating groove, it passionately declares a love that will never fade.
Released in February 2024 as the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “Eye Love You,” this track was also chosen as the entry march for the 97th National High School Baseball Championship.
It’s a perfect fit both for a dignified procession and for a gentle, supportive exit scene.
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

An encouraging anthem that gently stays by your side and gives you a push forward, dedicated to everyone who feels anxiety and uncertainty in the midst of youth.
With Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s signature emotional, catchy melodies and lyrics rich with messages that boost self-esteem, it resonates deeply.
Released in January 2025, the song was written for NHK General’s special program “Mrs.
GREEN APPLE 18-sai Matsuri” and featured a special performance alongside 1,000 members of the 18-year-old generation.
Play it as the finale of a sports day or school athletic festival, and you’re sure to end on a moving, memorable note!
RunLittle Glee Monster

This song, with its bright, uplifting message and powerful vocals, is an ambitious work by Little Glee Monster.
It emphasizes the importance of continuing to push toward your dreams and goals, serving as a cheer for those taking a new step forward.
Created in collaboration with Meiji Probio Yogurt R-1 to support new first graders, it was included on the album “Ambitious,” released in March 2025.
Its energetic rhythm and heartfelt message will encourage children giving their all with their teammates at sports days and athletic festivals.
We AreONE OK ROCK

With its powerful message and hope-filled lyrics, this song stirs the hearts of young people.
While grappling with struggles against societal judgment and prejudice, it conveys a strong will to cherish one’s true self and keep moving forward.
Included on the album “Ambitions,” it has received high acclaim since its release in January 2017.
On NHK’s “18 Festival,” ONE OK ROCK and 1,000 members of the 18-year-old generation created a once-in-a-lifetime stage, producing a moving moment.
Paired with a group gymnastics performance, it can express the importance of teamwork and the determination to take on a shared goal.
SignalWANIMA

It’s an uplifting WANIMA anthem that vividly portrays the drive to move toward the future and the down-to-earth struggles we all face.
While carrying anxiety about the unknown, it captures young people’s determination to walk their own path, powered by a dynamic rock sound.
Featured on the album “Everybody!!,” the song was also used in a Lotte Ice “Sō” commercial.
In a special NHK program, the band performed with 1,000 eighteen-year-olds, and the moving stage left a lasting impression on many viewers.
It’s a perfect track for relays and theme songs at school sports days and festivals—one that unites the entire venue.



