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
Entrance Themes, Processional Marches, and Marches (31–40)
Aim to be a Pokémon MasterMatsumoto Rika

A heart-pounding song filled with passion for dreams and adventure, highlighted by Rica Matsumoto’s powerful vocals.
It delivers a youthful, positive message, singing of the courage to face hardship and the bonds with friends—perfect for boosting excitement at school sports days and athletic festivals.
Released as a single in June 1997, it was used as the opening theme for a TV anime.
It won the Work Award at the Heisei Anisong Grand Prize and garnered widespread support, reaching as high as No.
7 on the Oricon charts.
Even when practice time is limited for a sports-day cheer song, its simple, easy-to-remember melody and lyrics mean the whole class can start singing it right away.
Maru Maru Mori MoriKaoru to Tomoki, tama ni Mukku.

This catchy song, sprinkled with bright, upbeat wordplay and rhythmic onomatopoeia, is a heartwarming track that gently embraces children’s growth and everyday joys.
Its simple, easy-to-remember melody and lyrics depicting familiar happiness resonate honestly with listeners.
Released in May 2011 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Marumo no Okite,” it marked the debut of Kaoru to Tomoki, Tamani Mook.
It reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and also earned a spot in that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
With choreography everyone can enjoy and adorable vocals, it’s the perfect song not only as a cheer tune for sports days and athletic meets, but also for school events and any occasion where people want to get energized together.
Heaven and HellOfufenbakku

Its exhilarating melody and lively rhythm make it perfect for a sports day finale.
Born in 19th-century France, this work originated from a story that satirically portrays the absurdities of human society through the gods of Olympus.
With its catchy phrases—familiar to almost everyone—and a performance full of vitality, it puts listeners in a joyful mood.
Premiered in Paris in October 1858, it went on to achieve 228 performances by the following year.
Since then, it has continued to be performed worldwide and used in a variety of settings.
The melodic line, in harmony with the rhythm of running footsteps, will create impeccable timing as an exit march for school sports festivals and athletic meets.
Rocky Themebirukonti

A sports anthem that resonates with a powerful brass section and full orchestral sound, portraying humanity’s boundless potential and passion.
Known as a quintessential masterpiece at the intersection of film and music, it stages a grand narrative themed around hard work, growth, and a leap toward one’s dreams.
Composed by Bill Conti for the film Rocky, released in February 1977, it reached No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July of the same year and ranked 58th on AFI’s 100 Years of Film Scores.
Beyond exit scenes, it’s a highly effective track for moments when you want to encourage people who are giving their all—such as school events, sports day practice, and lineup formations.
majestic and dignifiedEdward Elgar

Composed by Edward Elgar, this orchestral march is a piece that exudes confidence and strength, just as its title suggests.
As an orchestral work, one of its appeals is the way it unfolds in various developments over its long duration, and the impression can change depending on which sections you focus on.
For the entrance at a closing ceremony, the sections where the instruments resound powerfully would be fitting, while the calm and grand passages would work well for the awards scene.
Precisely because it has no vocals, it can effectively heighten the atmosphere when paired with words honoring the day’s efforts.
Entrance music / March / Marches (41–50)
GUTS !arashi

Arashi’s “GUTS!”—often used at school sports festivals—fills everyone with energy and a sense of unity the moment it starts playing, making it perfect for the closing ceremony.
It heightens the satisfaction of having taken part and the sense of accomplishment from the events, wrapping it all in an uplifting feeling.
With its lively, energetic rhythm, it’s great for ending with a group dance or some movement to enjoy that togetherness.
It might just make for a closing ceremony that leaves everyone excited for tomorrow.
Baroque HoedownJean Jacques Perrey

This is a quintessential electronic music piece from the 1960s, notable for its distinctive Moog synthesizer tones.
Blending Baroque elements with a country-style rhythm, the unique composition features a bright, upbeat melody that lingers in the mind.
Included on the duo Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley’s 1967 album “Kaleidoscopic Vibrations: Electronic Pop Music From Way Out,” the work was adopted in June 1972 as the theme for Disneyland’s Main Street Electrical Parade and has been beloved by many ever since.
It’s a perfect choice for festive, celebratory occasions—such as parade entries at sports days or award ceremonies—guaranteed to fill the venue with a lively, cheerful atmosphere.



