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!
- [Sports Day] Entrance songs that will hype the crowd! A comprehensive roundup from classics to the latest hits
- [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: A curated selection of powerful BGM to fire up your fighting spirit!
- [March, Foot Races, Dance] Energetic songs and the latest hits to liven up a sports day
- [2026] Curated J-POP to Energize Sports Days and Athletic Festivals! Also Great as Entrance Music
- 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
- Cheer songs to hype up the sports day! A collection of motivational tracks recommended for kids
- Recommended exit songs for a sports day: a curated selection that perfectly suits a brisk, running exit!
Dance tracks (1–10)
MagneticNEW!ILLIT
This is the debut song of the girls’ group ILLIT, known for their light and transparent sound.
Released in 2024 as the title track of the mini-album “SUPER REAL ME,” it’s a poppy, cute dance tune that likens straightforward feelings of being drawn to someone to a magnet.
The choreography, which uses fingertip movements to express magnetic attraction, is especially striking and became a major topic on social media and short-form video platforms.
Its easy-to-learn, catchy moves make it perfect for school sports days and festivals.
Dance it with friends and it’s sure to fill the venue with bright smiles and a sense of unity—an energetic, fun track.
Good luck to me tomorrow.NEW!Nanawo Akari
Akari Nanawo’s poppy, addictive vocals are irresistibly charming.
This song is a positive pop tune that stands by people working hard in modern society, reminding us that it’s important to be kind to ourselves.
The protagonist, who takes it easy and moves at their own pace, will gently resonate with listeners’ hearts.
It’s a single slated for release in February 2025 and has been selected as the ending theme for the TV anime “I’m a Guild Receptionist, but I Don’t Want to Work Overtime, So I’m Going to Solo the Boss,” which airs starting in January of the same year.
Its brisk, up-tempo rhythm is perfect for school sports days and festival dances.
With its message that boosts self-esteem, it’s a recommended dance tune for moments when everyone wants to smile, dance, and get pumped up together.
summer squallNEW!arashi
How about a cheer song that feels right at home on a field with a refreshing breeze? Its upbeat melody that pushes on those who give their all pairs perfectly with the energetic sound.
It’s a single by Arashi, a group beloved nationwide, released in July 2018.
Written and composed by Yujin Kitagawa of the folk duo Yuzu, it drew attention for being selected as Asahi Broadcasting’s “Summer High School Baseball Cheer Song” and the theme song for Nettou Koshien.
Also included on the best-of album “5×20 All the BEST!! 1999-2019,” this track has a pleasant sense of speed and is easy to choreograph—highly recommended.
It’s a perfect number for a sports festival dance that lets the audience join in the excitement.
Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?NEW!Ryokushokushakai
If you want a driving, fast-paced beat to crank up the energy at a school sports day, this Ryokuoushoku Shakai track is perfect.
Released in July 2024, it was chosen as the theme song for ABEMA’s romance reality show “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita.
Summer Vacation 2024.” It’s also included on the 2025 album “Channel U.” Haruko Nagaya’s soaring vocals layered over the band’s dynamic sound create a power that propels listeners forward.
With an uplifting message that affirms even the pains and hesitations of youth, it’s sure to resonate with students giving their all at something.
How about getting the whole class fired up together to this up-tempo, danceable rock tune?
Carrying HappinessNEW!Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Let’s energize the school sports festival with this pop tune, featuring an irresistibly happy, liberating melody! Centered on the theme of happiness, this song delivers a boost of energy through the magic of words.
Created by the rock band Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, known for their genre-blending musicality, it was released in July 2025.
It achieved the remarkable feat of being selected as the theme song for Tokyo Disney Resort’s summer event “Summer Cool-Off,” and was also used as background music for attractions.
With vocals by Motoki Omori, who wrote the lyrics and composed the music, the track is characterized by its energetic, exhilarating sound.
Its up-tempo, uplifting vibe makes it perfect for a dance performance where all the students can smile and move together!
Tama-ire / Dancing Tama-ire (11–20)
Speaking of tamaire, it’s a staple event at sports days that people of all ages can enjoy, and the evolved version—Dancing Tamaire—has really caught on too, hasn’t it? As the name suggests, it’s a competition that combines tamaire with dance, which makes the choice of background music even more important than in regular tamaire! Upbeat tracks that hype up the heated competition and get everyone dancing are highly recommended.
Use the songs introduced below as a reference when choosing your music.
Reference article: [Dancing Tamaire] A fun song for the beanbag-toss game, perfect for sports day
Tamaire / Dancing Tamaire (1–10)
PopopopoposeGReeeeN
Although it was written for a children’s TV show, this GReeeeN song can be enjoyed by both adults and kids.
It’s perfect for a “dancing tamaire” game, letting everyone sing and dance with plenty of energy while striking hand poses.
Just listening to the song’s string of cute words naturally brings a smile to your face.
Released in September 2019 and included on the album “Dai-ku,” the track was created for NHK E-TV’s “Inai Inai Baa!” You’ll have a wonderful time moving your body, laughing together, and sharing joyful moments.
Matsuken Samba IIMatsudaira Ken
A hit song by Ken Matsudaira that was released in July 2004 and sparked a massive craze.
Many of you can probably still picture Matsudaira delivering a dazzling dance to the cheerful, samba-inspired sound.
With its unique blend of Japanese tradition and Latin passion, this track is perfect for a ball-toss event at a sports day—both participants and spectators might find themselves dancing before they know it! Try copying the glamorous moves of the Komogimo Dancers and have a great time together.
If you’re not confident about dancing, just sway to the rhythm and you’re good! It’s the perfect song for making fun memories.