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
Foreign music BGM (1–10)
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)Shakira

Unfolding with dynamic energy, this pop number overflows with African spirit atop a powerful, groovy rhythm.
The celebratory sound woven by Colombia’s Shakira and South African band Freshlyground is sure to be the ultimate BGM to fire up any sports day.
Released in May 2010, the track gained worldwide popularity as the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, selling over 15 million copies globally.
It topped the charts in 15 countries and has amassed over 4 billion views on YouTube.
Blending a feverish, danceable beat with the spirit of football, this song is a perfect match for sporting events—powerfully propelling athletes toward victory and uniting the entire venue in a shared sense of excitement.
greedyTate McRae

Tate McRae is a Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer born in 2003.
She gained attention through her performances on the dance show So You Think You Can Dance, began releasing original songs through her “Create With Tate” series, and made her major-label debut with RCA Records in 2019.
Her second studio album, Think Later, featuring the lead single “greedy,” was released in September 2023.
“greedy” combines a contemporary R&B and dance-pop sound with candid lyrics co-written with Ryan Tedder and others, showcasing Tate’s artistic growth.
The song conveys confident self-expression while exploring the complexities of self-awareness in relationships, acknowledging one’s own allure while also warning of the challenges that come with it.
Its self-assured lyrics and aggressive sound make it a perfect track to energize events like school sports days and athletic festivals.
Harder Than You ThinkPublic Enemy

Many people can’t help but feel their hearts swell when they hear the resounding blare of horns and a heavy, thunderous beat.
Public Enemy—a group that changed hip-hop history with socially charged messages and innovative sound.
The classic “Harder Than You Think” comes from their 2007 album, How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?, released to mark the group’s 20th anniversary.
In fact, years after its release, the track enjoyed a massive resurgence when it was used in Channel 4’s campaign for the London 2012 Paralympics in August, becoming a huge hit in the UK.
Its powerful lyrics and sound, which feel like they’re pushing back against adversity, make it perfect before a sporting event or at any crucial moment when you want to fire yourself up.
Pump ItThe Black Eyed Peas

This is a signature track by the Black Eyed Peas, notable for its grand sound that samples the surf rock classic “Misirlou.” Its energetic guitar riff, heavy beats, and lyrics that express a full-bodied passion for music blend perfectly, creating an irresistible pull for listeners.
Released in May 2005 as a track on the album Monkey Business, it achieved international success, reaching the top 10 in 13 countries worldwide.
It was also featured on the soundtracks of the films Little Man and Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties, and its overwhelming presence has made it a favorite across various media.
It’s also ideal as background music for school sports days or athletic events, making it a perfect choice to boost participants’ motivation and enhance the sense of unity at the venue.
Made You LookMeghan Trainor

Meghan Trainor is a female singer-songwriter from the United States, born in 1993.
She began singing at the age of six and started seriously writing songs in her early teens.
While honing her craft behind the scenes as a songwriter, she made her long-awaited solo debut in 2014.
Her debut single, “All About That Bass,” became a massive hit and earned her a Grammy nomination, propelling her into the ranks of top stars.
Her songs, many of which emphasize the importance of living authentically without worrying about body shape, have garnered widespread support and made her an icon of the times.
In 2022, Meghan released the single “Made You Look,” a track with a lively, oldies-inspired sound that portrays a confident woman who continues to captivate her husband even after marriage and having children.
Its powerful message—that true beauty lies not in fashion or appearance but in being your authentic self—is also exceptional.
With its upbeat melody that gives you a boost, it’s the perfect song for a school sports day soundtrack.
In conclusion
We introduced plenty of recommended BGM and classic tracks for sports day—what did you think? From timeless classical pieces you often hear at sports days to trending J-pop and Western hits in recent years, there are many great choices.
Think about which scenes you want to energize and how, and choose your music accordingly.
Use this article as a reference, and create a wonderful sports day event.



