[March] Carefully selected popular songs recommended for entrance and exit at sports days and athletic festivals!

Military MarchFranz Schubert

Military March (Schubert)

Composed in 1818, the Three Marches Militaires are piano duets that Schubert wrote to teach the two daughters of the Esterházy family.

Of the three pieces, No.

1 is particularly famous, and the orchestral, wind band, and solo piano arrangements are also frequently performed.

You’ve probably heard it at least once.

Critical HitRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – A Masterstroke [Official Music Video]

Overflowing with fiery passion and strength, this is the track RADWIMPS released to the world in December 2013 on the album “X to O to Tsumi to.” The protagonist, who can’t surpass their own expectations no matter how many regrets they pile up, is striking as they wrestle between ideals and reality yet still take a bold step forward by following their true feelings.

The music video—shot at Ageo Municipal Baseball Stadium in Saitama Prefecture with 1,500 extras—was directed by Takuro Okubo.

This work harmonizes Yojiro Noda’s poetic lyrics with the band’s powerful sound to stunning effect, capturing the hearts of many listeners and dominating the on-air charts at FM stations to take the No.

1 spot.

It’s a song that gives you a strong push on the back in those moments when you want to look ahead and dash forward with everything you’ve got—like the exit scene at a school sports day.

together; along with; bothWANIMA

WANIMA – Together (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

This song, which celebrates friendship, hope, and the strength to overcome hardship, fills listeners with energy and courage.

WANIMA’s exhilarating, fast-paced sound and positive message stand by those who continue to face challenges, serving as a powerful support.

Released in August 2016 as the theme song for Nivea Kao’s “8×4” commercial, it also carries the members’ deep love for their hometown of Kumamoto and their hopes for its recovery.

Included on the album “Are You Coming?”, the track was also performed at the 2017 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

With its strong message, the song brings the perfect blend of excitement and refreshment for a school sports day’s exit scene.

It is expected to heighten the sense of unity in the venue, along with the children’s feelings of accomplishment and emotion after giving their all in competition.

Cinderella GirlKing&Prince

Tokai University Suwa High School Brass Band “Cinderella Girl”

A pop tune by King & Prince, rich with message, that uses the fairy tale Cinderella as its motif and powerfully sings of the protagonist’s single-minded feelings for a loved one.

Its catchy melody blends beautifully with the piano line, vividly capturing the flutter of a heart in love.

Released in May 2018, the song was also selected as the theme for the TBS drama “Hana Nochi Hare: Hanadan Next Season,” debuted at No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, and became a massive hit with total sales surpassing one million copies.

It’s an ideal track for uniting everyone’s spirits as an entrance march at a school sports day, and also perfect as a cheer song for sharing energy and courage.

We are!kitadani hiroshi

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

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.

It starts here!DREAMS COME TRUE

DREAMS COME TRUE “It Starts Here!”

Brimming with dynamic rhythm and a powerful melody, this track serves as a heartwarming anthem that, while a theme song for an ekiden relay race, also celebrates life’s challenges, hard work, and those taking a bold new step forward.

DREAMS COME TRUE fuse ’80s disco sounds with Latin grooves into a lively arrangement that gently pushes listeners onward.

The song was released digitally ahead of time in January 2025 and was later included as a single in March of the same year as the theme song for the “ACN EXPO EKIDEN 2025 Commemorating the Osaka-Kansai Expo.” It’s a buoyant tune that, when played during practice for school sports days or athletic festivals, naturally sparks a sense of camaraderie with teammates and a renewed determination to reach your goals.

Heaven and HellOfufenbakku

Heaven and Hell / Sports Day BGM

This piece boasts overwhelming power and brilliance, expressing the story of Orpheus and Eurydice from Greek mythology with a lively rhythm.

Created by Offenbach as a satire of 19th-century French society, it is still widely used today as a staple at school sports days.

Premiered in October 1858 at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens in Paris, it achieved an astonishing 228 performances by the following year.

Its dynamic melody and strong beat make it perfect as an entrance march for athletic festivals and sports events.

Everyone can clap along and get excited together, and it also works well as a cheering song for competitions.

With a familiar tune that people of all ages have likely heard at least once, it’s a charming work that naturally brings smiles to both audiences and performers.