[Youth Songs] Songs that liven up sports days and athletic festivals. Music that adds color to the event.
A school sports day is one of those events that stays in your memory as a page of youth! Working together with your teammates in competitions, getting fired up with dances and cheering battles—there’s so much excitement.
And to really liven things up, background music is essential! In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of songs that are perfect for sports day, especially ones that really capture the feeling of youth.
From refreshing melodies, to songs about friendship, to tracks that make you want to start running—these are all timeless classics packed with youthful passion.
Be sure to use them as a reference!
- Top Songs to Hype Up Sports Day and Athletic Festivals [2026]
- Club Activity Youth Songs: Motivational Anthems and Timeless Tracks of Memories with Teammates
- Coloring the drama of youth! Heartwarming songs perfect for school sports days and athletic festivals
- [Dance Songs] Recommended for school sports days and athletic festivals! A curated selection of popular tracks that are fun to dance to
- Carefully selected J-pop to liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs.
- [Friendship Song] Music to hype up sports days and athletic festivals
- [Guaranteed to resonate!] Youth songs that strike a chord with teens. Recommended coming-of-age tracks.
- [Youth Anthems] A curated selection of popular and latest songs to hype up your school cultural festival
- Songs that hype up Sports Day and Athletic Festivals: Japanese Music / J-Pop Artist Rankings [2026]
- [Clubs, Friendship, Romance] Youth songs middle schoolers should listen to
- [To All Athletes] Inspirational Sports Anthems & Empowering Theme Songs
- Songs that hype up the athlete entrance at school sports festivals
- A roundup of youth-themed songs recommended for high school students
[Youth Songs] Songs that liven up sports days and athletic festivals. Tracks that color the event (11–20)
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.
Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā
It’s a cheer song brimming with youthful passion and hope.
It portrays a protagonist who carries deep pain in their heart and feels on the verge of losing themselves, yet by accepting that suffering, the work gives them the courage to take a new step forward.
Released by Sambomaster in August 2018, the track was chosen as the theme song for the TBS Friday drama “Cheer☆Dan,” and, alongside the story of high school students striving to conquer the United States, left a lasting impression on many viewers.
This piece is also perfect as background music for school sports days and athletic festivals, gently supporting students who give their all and sweat it out together with their friends.
StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE is a rock band known for handling numerous tie-ins with movies and commercials, earning popularity especially among young people with their colorful sound.
Among their songs, the one that’s perfect for sports days and field days is “StaRt.” This track is included on their 2015 release “Variety” and has become a staple at their live shows.
The dazzling band sound that opens with a timpani roll is striking, and its classical melodic line makes it perfect for a celebratory stage for the whole school.
Let’s liven up the sports festival with this energetic youth anthem!
A victorious smile with youUkasukaji
A fusion sound of J-pop and hip-hop overflowing with youthful passion and sportsmanship.
Created by Ukasuka-G, the duo of Kazutoshi Sakurai from Mr.Children and GAKU-MC, this piece sings of the bonds between friends and the courage to take on challenges.
Its powerful message—conveying the resolve to face towering obstacles and the trust in your teammates—resonates deeply.
Released in May 2014 as a lead single from the album AMIGO, it was adopted as an official support song by the Japan Football Association and featured in various tie-ins, including Kirin’s “Japan Linking Arms” commercial song.
It’s a reliable track not only for school sports days and athletic festivals, but also for any moment when you want to strengthen teamwork or strive toward a goal together with your friends.
superstarKetsumeishi
This song celebrates recognizing the potential and talent hidden within yourself and letting them shine.
Its empowering message—that everyone has a unique brilliance—blends beautifully with the pop sound.
Ketsumeishi’s positive lyrics and catchy melody carry a warm, gentle push for listeners.
Released in November 2020, it was chosen as the theme song for the TV Asahi anime Crayon Shin-chan.
The music video, filmed in India, also captures the song’s bright and uplifting worldview.
It’s a perfect fit as a cheer song for school events like sports festivals, and for anyone seeking encouragement to discover their true self.
Bridge of Gloryyuzu
An enduring masterpiece by Yuzu, the folk duo that represents Japan.
It embraces all the pain and setbacks of the past, the days of effort piled up without running away, and makes you feel proud of who you are now.
That warm yet powerful message resonates deeply with anyone striving forward.
Released as a single in July 2004, it was used as the theme song for NHK’s broadcast of the Athens Olympics.
Many will remember it alongside the moving scene of the men’s gymnastics team winning gold for the first time in 28 years.
Give it a listen when your club activities aren’t yielding the results you want, or when exam pressure feels overwhelming.
You’ll find the courage to believe that none of your steps so far have been in vain—and to keep moving forward.
[Youth Songs] Tunes that amp up school sports days and athletic festivals. Tracks that brighten up the competition stage (21–30)
Brother BeatSnow Man
Snow Man is a male idol group that is active across a wide range of stages and variety shows.
They drew attention with acrobatic moves in their stage performances and concerts.
Their 2022 release Brother Beat is a party rock tune that blends nostalgic yet fresh sounds.
It was chosen as the theme song for the film Mr.
Osomatsu.
You can savor their stylish and passionate choral work.
Be sure to give it a listen—it’s a track that shines in all kinds of scenes at school sports days and athletic festivals.