Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

From classics to fan favorites! A catalog of music and BGM to liven up your sports day

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

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!

Entrance Songs · Processional · Marches (51–60)

We are!kitadani hiroshi

ONE PIECE 'We Are!' Ritsumeikan University Cheerleading Squad Wind Ensemble

We are!kitadani hiroshi

This is one of Hiroshi Kitadani’s signature songs, blending an up-tempo, powerful rock sound with irresistibly positive lyrics.

The words, which express the courage to chase dreams with your friends and the strong will to face challenges, make it perfect for school sports day marches! Released in November 1999, it earned high acclaim as the opening theme for the hugely popular anime ONE PIECE.

Its driving sound and energetic vocals will add vibrant color to entry and exit scenes at sports events.

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Theme of Lupin the ThirdŌno Yūji

Lupin the Third Theme (Rock Version) [Wind Ensemble Hit]

Theme of Lupin the ThirdŌno Yūji

A piece centered on the piano of Yuji Ohno, a leading figure in Japan’s jazz scene.

Its thrilling, dynamic performance and chord progressions inspired by Spaghetti Westerns vividly portray the protagonist’s dazzling exploits.

Released as a single in October 1977, it added color as the opening theme for the anime series.

From its impactful opening, the rhythmic call-and-response of the chorus leading into the refrain leaves a strong impression on listeners.

Arranged as a march, it would also make a commanding presence at sports days and other events.

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A view I’ve never seen beforeSuda Masaki

Masaki Suda “A Scenery I’ve Never Seen”

A view I've never seen beforeSuda Masaki

This is Masaki Suda’s debut track, packed with passion through its driving rock sound and powerful vocals.

Released in June 2017, the song earnestly portrays people who keep moving forward even while covered in mud.

Its message, full of determination and passion toward the future, was featured in au’s “au BLUE CHALLENGE” series and resonated with many listeners.

The track is included on the album “PLAY” and garnered high acclaim, reaching No.

3 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

It’s also perfect as entrance music for athletes at school sports days, gently yet powerfully pushing forward everyone who is striving to face ahead.

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Sports MarchMayuzumi Toshirō

Sports March / Toshiro Mayuzumi — Nippon TV sports program theme song

Sports MarchMayuzumi Toshirō

This is a march for orchestra known as a landmark masterpiece that blazed a new trail, distinguished by its powerful, dynamic melody.

Composed by Toshiro Mayuzumi in 1953 at the request of Nippon Television, the work is a wonderful piece that evokes a bright, forward-looking spirit.

Its brilliant trumpet sonorities and exhilarating rhythms lift the heart.

It has been a mainstay on Nippon Television’s sports programs, boasting a track record of use across numerous shows, including professional wrestling broadcasts, professional baseball night games, and the Hakone Ekiden.

It is truly a piece that has walked alongside the history of sports broadcasting in Japan.

It’s a perfect choice when you want to energize a school sports day or athletic event, or when you simply need a boost.

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Entrance Music, Marches (61–70)

Live in the present.Saucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Live in the present.” Music Video

Live in the present.Saucy Dog

Powerfully singing of youthful passion and hope, this Saucy Dog track was created as a cheer anthem for the 101st All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.

Portraying growth through overcoming setbacks and hardship, bonds with teammates, and the courage to move forward while staying true to oneself, the song deeply resonates with young people navigating high school life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Released in December 2022, it has become an indispensable fan favorite at their live shows, giving a strong push not only to soccer players but also to students working hard every day for their clubs and school events.

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SOUSA SPECTACULARJohn Philip Sousa

Susa Spectacular

SOUSA SPECTACULARJohn Philip Sousa

A medley included on an album of signature works by John Philip Sousa, the “March King,” who produced numerous marches brimming with overwhelming presence and dignity.

It features his hallmark pieces: The Washington Post, Semper Fidelis, and The Stars and Stripes Forever.

This is an ideal number not only for entrances and exits at school sports days and athletic meets, but also as a practice piece for marching bands and wind ensembles.

Accompanied by this work’s compelling sonority that makes you want to march with a proud, steady stride, student athletes will feel their spirits sharpen as they enter.

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Cheering Songs (61–70)

We first introduced recommended songs for the entrance march and for athletes entering and exiting each event—did you find any you’d like to use? Next, we’ll introduce must-have cheer songs for a sports day.

We’ve selected tracks that are perfect for pumping up the crowd with energetic cheers as well as moving songs that ignite your inner fighting spirit.

Singing them with the original lyrics is great, but creating parody versions with your own lyrics will surely hype things up even more! Reference article: Cheer songs to hype up the sports day! A collection of motivational tracks recommended for kids

Cheering Songs (1–10)

Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI

SEKAI NO OWARI “Highest Altitude” ONE PIECE Lyric MV

Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI

An uplifting anthem that gives hope and courage has been born.

Its message—accept your weaknesses, turn them into strength, and move forward—resonates deeply.

Released digitally in September 2023, the song was used as the 25th opening theme for the anime ONE PIECE.

It’s also included on the album Nautilus and showcases SEKAI NO OWARI’s musicality to the fullest.

It’s perfect as a cheer song for school sports days and athletic festivals.

With dance beats and brass parts, it pairs wonderfully with flag dancing.

You might even consider creating and performing your own original choreography.

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