[Youth Songs] Songs that liven up sports days and athletic festivals. Music that adds color to the event.
Sports day is one of those school events that stays in your memory as a page of youth! You team up with friends to tackle events, and the dances and cheering battles are sure to heat up, too.
And to amp up the excitement at sports day, music is indispensable.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of songs that are perfect for sports day, especially ones that let you really feel the spirit of youth! From tracks with refreshing melodies, to songs about friendship, to tunes that make you want to start running—these are all classics packed with youthful passion, so be sure to use them as a reference!
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[Youth Songs] Songs that liven up sports days and athletic festivals. Tracks that color the event (1–10)
Horse of YouthNEW!Hinatazaka46

When it comes to songs that further energize a school sports festival—the students’ big moment—look no further than the cheer anthem sung by Hinatazaka46.
Its vibrant momentum that makes you want to get moving and its uplifting message about the determination to move forward strike a powerful chord.
Included as a coupling track on the single “Sonna Koto Nai Yo,” released in February 2020, the song is also featured on the album “Hinatazaka,” which came out in September of the same year.
It was further chosen as the theme song for the drama “DASADA,” in which the members played the main roles.
With its brisk, driving sound and strong beat, it’s perfect for events where classmates and teammates give their all—be it competitions or cheering battles.
Why not play this track at a fiery, excitement-filled sports festival to spur students on as they overcome challenges and dash forward with passion and hope?
AoiNEW!Sakanakushon

Sakanaction, who lead Japan’s rock scene with their one-of-a-kind soundscape.
The track they released digitally ahead of time in February 2013 and later included on the acclaimed album “sakanaction” was selected as the theme song for NHK’s 2013 soccer broadcasts.
A refreshing band ensemble unfolds, fusing a vibrant beat infused with elements of disco and club music with synth tones that convey a sense of spatial expanse.
The lyrics resonate with emotions still unpolished by youth, the passion of striving toward a goal, and the flash of a fleeting moment.
It’s a perfect number for heated sports-day scenes, where frenzy and tension mingle as athletes dash across the field.
Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE

A rock band massively popular among young people, Mrs.
GREEN APPLE released “Ao to Natsu” in 2018.
Beloved as a quintessential youth anthem, it remains highly popular.
Its exhilarating band sound perfectly matches school sports festivals where students sprint across the field.
The song portrays the inner strength to keep one’s passion alive despite hitting walls in love, club activities, and friendships.
Its fiery lines resonate in the heart, reminding everyone that they are the protagonists of their own youth.
It’s an essential rock tune to energize any student-centered sports day.
[Youth Songs] Songs that liven up sports days and athletic festivals. Tracks that color the event (11–20)
Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai

A fiery youth anthem by Ryokuoushoku Shakai has arrived! Released in July 2024, this track’s refreshing melody and heartfelt lyrics make it perfect for energizing school sports days and athletic festivals.
It’s also the theme song for ABEMA’s drama “Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita.
Summer Vacation 2024,” drawing strong attention from younger audiences.
Capturing the complex emotions of adolescence with finesse, it truly grips listeners’ hearts.
Why not etch a shining page of youth—precisely because it’s finite—together with this song? Play it during entrance marches and it’s sure to ignite everyone’s spirits! How about bringing everyone together and getting pumped up with this song about friendship and youth?
Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu

A perfect song for anyone who wants to cherish every moment of their youth.
Released by Macaroni Empitsu in March 2019, it was written specifically for McDonald’s 500-yen value set.
The song conveys a message of loving your youth, boring days and all.
The music video features actress Nana Mori, and the scenes filmed in her hometown of Yamanashi capture the everyday moments of adolescence.
Play it at a sports day or school festival, and it’s sure to remind participants of how precious youth is.
Listening to this track will likely give you the courage to live this very moment to the fullest.
One Heartatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu

As a cheer song coloring a page of youth, a moving track was released by ATARASHII GAKKO! in March 2025.
Conveying the importance of living true to yourself and packed with the courage to face forward together with your friends, this work deeply resonates with the younger generation.
With powerful vocals and dynamic dance performances, it’s full of strength that seems to blow away the anxieties and doubts everyone feels.
Written specifically as the theme song for Bourbon’s “Fettuccine Gummi” commercial, the music video—filmed together with 300 fans—has been crafted into an inspiring visual that unites the hearts of its viewers.
It’s the perfect song not only for students feeling uneasy while preparing for school festivals and cultural events, but for anyone about to take a new step forward.
It starts here!DREAMS COME TRUE

This is a dynamic track that feels as refreshing as the breeze of an ekiden relay.
The vocals convey both strength and intimate warmth, and the rhythm—featuring an effective Latin groove—leaves a strong impression.
It portrays the challenges of sports, the bonds with teammates, and the joy of personal growth in a way anyone can relate to.
Released in January 2025, the song has been used across various contexts, including an ekiden event commemorating the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the film “Kaminofude,” and Honda’s new Odyssey web commercial.
It’s a heartfelt anthem that gently supports those taking a new step forward—perfect not only for sports days and athletic festivals, but as an encouraging song that truly resonates.



