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 Music / Processional / March (1–10)
Speaking of the first program at a sports day, it has to be the opening ceremony.
And for the opening ceremony, many preschools and schools have each class or team enter with a marching parade, don’t they? With everyone marching in step to the music, the sports day has already begun from that very moment! Also, BGM is essential for the entrance and exit of each event.
First, we’ll introduce songs that are perfect for marching and for entrances/exits! Focusing on classic marches, we’ve gathered familiar, sports-day-style tunes.
Reference article: [March] Carefully selected popular songs recommended for entrance and exit at sports days and athletic festivals!
Treasure IslandIzumi Hirotaka
When it comes to upbeat Latin-style band staples, “Takarajima” is the go-to piece.
Originally composed by Hirotaka Izumi, the keyboardist of the fusion band THE SQUARE, it was included on their 1986 album “S•P•O•R•T•S.” For wind ensemble, Toshio Mashima’s arrangement is especially well known; compared to the original, it’s been reborn in a samba style that makes extensive use of Latin percussion.
Its great groove also makes it perfect for marching, so it’s highly recommended as an entrance march!
hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake
A gem of a mid-tempo tune by Omoinotake that sings of a powerful love transcending time and distance.
Riding on a melodious horn section and an exhilarating groove, it delivers a bold ode to a love that never fades.
Released in February 2024 as the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “Eye Love You,” the track was also selected as the entrance march for the 97th National High School Baseball Championship.
It’s a perfect fit both for a dignified procession and for tender, accompanying exit scenes.
SPECIALZKing Gnu
A stunning work that fuses energetic sound with a dark, weighty atmosphere! Emphasizing living true to your emotions, it portrays the journey of confronting life’s complexity and uncertainty while discovering a bond with someone special.
Showcasing King Gnu’s multifaceted musicality to the fullest, this piece was released in September 2023 as the opening theme for MBS/TBS’s anime Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2: Shibuya Incident, surpassing 100 million cumulative streams on Billboard Japan.
With its powerful rhythm and rapid, driving melody, it will make the entering athletes shine even brighter and fill the entire venue with electrifying excitement.
Overture from Dragon Quest Isugiyama kouichi
A grand orchestral piece with an irresistibly dignified aura! Composed by Koichi Sugiyama, it opens with a fanfare-like introduction and unfolds in a thrilling way that evokes the exhilaration of embarking on an adventure.
First featured in-game in May 1986, it has since been released in numerous versions.
Its selection as an entrance theme for athletes at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony in July 2021 attests to its timeless appeal.
With its valiant tone and steady 4/4 rhythm perfect for marching, it’s sure to add a touch of splendor to entrance and exit scenes at school sports days and athletic events.
Yes, with pleasure.kocchi no kento
A track by Kento Kochchi that stands out with its up-tempo, catchy melody.
The lyrics portray struggles with everyday stress and pressure, resonating with many listeners.
In particular, the repeated phrases are memorable, and the choreography set to the rhythm also became a hot topic.
Released in May 2024, the single generated major buzz on social media and climbed high on various charts, including reaching No.
1 on Billboard Japan Heatseekers Songs in July of the same year.
If used as entrance or exit music for school sports days, it’s sure to brighten the atmosphere and energize the venue.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 3 Execution BGMKanno Yugo
A march that is uniquely Yugo Kanno, gripping audiences with its distinctive rhythm and powerful sound.
The rock-style melody centered on electric guitar and the weighty rhythm section are truly striking.
Although it was composed as background music, its ability to elevate tense entrance scenes showcases Kanno’s outstanding compositional talent to the fullest.
Use it for entrances and exits at a school sports day, and your entire class is sure to step in with fired-up expressions!
Under the banner of the double-headed eagleJosef Franz Wagner
This work is by Josef Franz Wagner, an Austrian military bandmaster and composer.
He is a different person from Richard Wagner, who was from the Kingdom of Saxony.
This historic march is still used today as the march of the 2nd Division of the Austrian Army.
At school sports days, it is mainly used as an entrance and exit march, and it is also sometimes played as background music between program items or during periods when no events are taking place.