RAG MusicAthletics
Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Sports Day BGM] Carefully selected classic standards and popular hit songs perfect for the closing ceremony

After working up a sweat and experiencing both joy and frustration, the sports day comes to a close with the closing ceremony, where the winning team and top performers are honored and final remarks are given.

In this article, we introduce songs perfect for that closing ceremony.

From classical music to J-pop, we’ve gathered a wide range of tracks: songs that celebrate participants’ hard work, moving pieces that help everyone finish the event with pride, and calm tunes for cooling down.

Feel free to use them for the closing ceremony’s entrance and exit, the awards presentation, or as background music during the ceremony itself!

[Sports Day BGM] Carefully selected classic standards and popular hit songs perfect for the closing ceremony (21–30)

together; along with; bothWANIMA

WANIMA – Together (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
together; along with; bothWANIMA

This WANIMA song was chosen as the theme song for a project centered on recovery from the Kumamoto earthquake.

It carries a heartfelt message of deep love and support for their hometown, with striking, resonant lyrics.

It’s included on the single “Juice Up!!,” released in January 2016.

Recorded just before the earthquake occurred, this track is perfect to play at the closing ceremony of a sports day, wrapping up a day of teamwork.

Try playing it to express your gratitude to all the friends who gave their best!

energy flowSakamoto Ryuichi

A gentle piano melody that soothes the heart—one of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s numbers.

Released in May 1999, this song became emblematic of an era when the word “iyashi” (healing) was in vogue.

Originally created as the commercial song for Sankyo’s (now Daiichi Sankyo) “Regain EB Tablets,” its sentimental melody and delicate timbre captured the hearts of many and became a major hit.

Included on the album “Ura BTTB,” this track was the first instrumental single ever to reach No.

1 on the Oricon chart, achieving an astounding total of about 1.8 million copies sold.

It’s also perfect for use as background music at sports day closing ceremonies or for group gymnastics.

Evoking bonds between people and harmony with nature, this piece is sure to inspire wonderful performances.

All of the Youthsuis from Yorushika

suis from Yorushika “All the Young People” Music Video
All of the Youthsuis from Yorushika

A song with a melody and lyrics that evocatively signal the end of youth.

Suis from Yorushika delivers a clear, translucent vocal that beautifully captures the feelings of young people.

Released in June 2024, this track is regarded as one of Yorushika’s signature works.

The lyrics, which capture everyday moments like the evening chime and the final fireworks, resonate deeply with listeners.

Play it at the closing ceremony of a school sports day, and it’s sure to inspire the courage to take a new step while reflecting on the memories of the past year.

It’s a song that can create a wonderful moment—everyone holding hands, engraving hope for the future in their hearts.

graceFuji Kaze

Fujii Kaze – grace(Official Video)
graceFuji Kaze

It’s a song imbued with a powerful message about facing oneself.

Released in October 2022, it was written by Fujii Kaze as the theme song for NTT Docomo’s “KAZE FILMS docomo future project.” With a beautiful melody infused with soul and R&B elements and distinctive piano playing, it’s a track that resonates deeply.

The music video was filmed in India’s Uttarakhand state, featuring impressive visuals of majestic landscapes and the warmth of its people.

It conveys the importance of believing in the light and potential that everyone carries within, making it a piece that can evoke moments of true connection even during a group gymnastics performance.

The hopeful vocals and melody will make the performance shine even more.

The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP

SMAP’s “Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana” is known across a wide range of generations, regardless of age or gender.

Its message—“Even if you can’t be number one, try recognizing your own efforts”—fits perfectly with a closing ceremony.

At a sports day where people tend to focus on becoming number one, it’s nice if we can still acknowledge the effort we put in, even if we don’t reach that goal.

This song will surely give you the chance to relax your shoulders and embrace that way of thinking!

Not fleetingSUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER “Not Ephemeral” MV (Theme song for the film ‘Tokyo Revengers 2: Bloody Halloween Arc -Decisive Battle-’)
Not fleetingSUPER BEAVER

This is a ballad whose grand melody and powerful message stir the heart.

Released in June 2023 by SUPER BEAVER as the theme song for the film Tokyo Revengers 2: Bloody Halloween -Decisive Battle-, it portrays the beauty of life and the bonds with loved ones, expressing a desire to keep walking together even while understanding that nothing lasts forever.

The strong vocals and beautiful tune convey the brilliance of each individual’s life.

Also included on the album Ongaku (Music), it’s a moving piece well-suited for school sports days and group gymnastics ceremonies.

Highly recommended as background music for performances that soar with unity and strength.

Rocky Themebirukonti

Every ROCKY Training Montage in Order
Rocky Themebirukonti

It’s a classic known as a pinnacle of sports music.

With its exhilarating, powerful brass section and a melody that resonates with those who strive, this piece delivers a universal message of effort and challenge.

Composed for a film released in 1977, Bill Conti crafted it with great care to fit the scenes perfectly, all within a limited budget of $25,000.

It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Ideal as a cheer song for school sports days and athletic events, it’s widely loved as an encouraging anthem that most people have heard at least once and that boosts the determination to keep going.