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

The parade of classes and groups that kicks off sports days and athletic festivals.

In the past, classical pieces were the mainstay, but in recent years you often see entrance scenes on social media set to a wide range of music—from classic marches to popular J-pop.

In this article, we’ll introduce famous pieces originally composed as marches, as well as J-pop and anime songs arranged for marching.

If you can hum the melody but can’t recall the title, this might be your solution!

We hope you find the perfect track to energize those entrance and exit marches.

Playlist

[March] Carefully selected popular songs recommended for entrance and exit at sports days and athletic festivals!
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	MagicMrs. GREEN APPLE		An exhilarating rock that gives you a push toward self-renewal
2	365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48		AKB48's NHK morning drama theme song
3	RPGSEKAI NO OWARI		SEKAI NO OWARI's signature song, RPG
4	Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48		AKB48’s 2013 smash hit with a bright and positive theme
5	Sounds goodM!LK		An uplifting message song whose charm lies in its gap
6	The calling voiceVaundy		Vaundy project theme song grand chorus
7	Rain, then Sunshine Hallelujahyuzu		A big hit and one of Yuzu’s signature songs
8	SUNHoshino Gen		A signature song by Gen Hoshino. Perfect for sports days.
9	Because the sun will rise againRyokushokushakai		Crayon Shin-chan movie theme song
10	paprikaFoorin		A popular song that portrays the joy of nature and exercise
11	TOMORROWMayo Okamoto		Mayo Okamoto’s debut song with an appealing, upbeat melody
12	HarukaYOASOBI		A story of gratitude and love painted by a mug
13	Ninjari Ban Bankyarī pamyu pamyu		Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's ninja-themed song
14	You are the star.Sazan Ōrusutāzu		A refreshing single released in 2004
15	Sky of the heartarashi		A cheer song with a strong, festival-like beat
16	Under the banner of the double-headed eagleJosef Franz Wagner		Wagner’s march is used at athletic meets.
17	Treasure IslandIzumi Hirotaka		Takarajima is a Latin-style wind band standard piece.
18	SOUSA SPECTACULARJohn Philip Sousa		Sousa March Medley
19	Overture from Dragon Quest Isugiyama kouichi		The orchestral piece is captivating and moving.
20	Mela!Ryokushokushakai		A pop song themed around justice and courage
21	BeautifulSuperfly		Super that refreshingly colors a brisk exit…
22	The Washington PostJohn Philip Sousa		Sousa's march, bright and powerful
23	The Star-Spangled Banner ForeverJohn Philip Sousa		A powerful masterpiece composed by Sousa, and a march that represents the United States.
24	Weigh anchorCharles Zimmerman		The Naval March is a classic song for sports day.
25	RaijinJohn Philip Sousa		Introduction to Sousa's famous march pieces
26	Best FriendMatsuura Shingo		March, the 2003 Wind Ensemble Contest Piece
27	Colonel BogeyKenneth Joseph Alford		A pop, lighthearted song that's perfect as background music for a sports day
28	March, April, MayYabe Masao		A march that expresses the changing of the seasons
29	Sports Show MarchKoseki Yūji		Sports March Composed by Yuji Koseki
30	ArsenalJan Van der Roost		An introduction to a dignified concert band piece
31	Hi-hoDizunī		Disney's dwarf marching song is popular
32	JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 3 Execution BGMKanno Yugo		Yugo Kanno’s powerful march, full of spirit
33	Rocky ThemeBill Conti		The Rocky theme is brave and suitable for sports festivals.
34	Kimi ga Yo MarchYoshimoto Kōzō		A Japan Self-Defense Forces march arranged from Kimigayo
35	light cavalryFranz von Suppé		Suppé’s operettas: the famous parts are bold and bright.
36	Let’s give it a tryWANIMA		Wind band arrangement of WANIMA's popular songs
37	MiracleGReeeeN		GReeeeN’s signature song arranged as a march.
38	hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake		Sing powerfully of a love that transcends time and distance
39	Beyond the K-pointTakahashi Shinya		Popular march songs of 1999
40	The Greatest Operation in HistoryPaul Anka		A war film depicting the Normandy landings
41	Triumphal MarchVerdi		Triumphal March from Aida
42	I am the strongest.Ado		Theme song from a One Piece movie, suitable for a sports day
43	Olympic MarchKoseki Yūji		Yuji Koseki's Olympic March
44	100% CourageMakaino Kōji		Popular theme songs from Nintama Rantarō
45	ultra soulB’z		B’z’s 31st single, a sports theme song
46	Combat MarchMiki Yūjirō		The baseball cheering song was composed by a Waseda University student.
47	SPECIALZKing Gnu		King Gnu's Jujutsu Kaisen theme song is a big hit
48	Warship MarchSetoguchi Fujikichi		The military march “Warship March” composed by Setoguchi Tokichi
49	Marine CorpsJames Fulton		It's easy to walk to this light, lively march.
50	When the Saints Go Marching In		From funeral music to fight songs: the evolution of Negro spirituals
51	Tannhäuser: Grand MarchRichard Wagner		Tannhäuser March by Richard Wagner
52	Yes, with pleasure.kocchi no kento		Kento’s trending song over here
53	March “Blue Spring”Suzuki Masashi		The Beauty of the Set Piece March Composed by Masashi Suzuki
54	Galaxy Express 999Godiego		Brass band performance for high school baseball cheering
55	El CapitanJohn Philip Sousa		Sousa's March El Capitan
56	old friendCarl Teike		German Military March: The Tale of Old Friends
57	Umillennium parade		Theme song of Belle (Ryū to Sobakasu no Hime)
58	Festive MarchDan Ikuma		March Celebrating the Crown Prince's Marriage
59	Young powerShinichi Takada		National Sports Festival theme song march
60	Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy		Introduction to Vaundy's signature songs
61	March “Patriotism”Saitō Ushimatsu		A heavy, robust march for the navy, featuring a compelling, majestic melody.
62	Radetzky MarchJohann Strauss		A famous classical piece by Johann Strauss I
63	Don’t give upZARD		ZARD's biggest hit song
64	March “Blue Sky”Takagi Toko		A bright wind ensemble piece like a blue sky
65	Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE		An anthem of support to overcome hardships: Que Sera, Sera
66	American PatrolFuranku Hoaito Mīchamu		A march that depicts soldiers marching
67	Officer cadetJohn Philip Sousa		Sousa’s march, featuring high school students
68	U.S.A.DA PUMP		Hype up the sports day with DA PUMP’s songs
69	Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI		OP theme song by SEKAI NO OWARI
70	Entrance of the Swordsman (Thunder and Lightning)Julius Fučík		Fučík’s Brilliant March
71	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		Kiyoko Suizenji’s Life Cheering March
72	HeroYOASOBI		YOASOBI's anime opening theme, for wind ensemble
73	Waterboys ‘Synchro BOM-BA-YE’Satō Naoki		A masterpiece that expresses the passion of youth with synthesizers and orchestra
74	Protector of the NileKenneth Joseph Alford		A march composed by Kenneth. It features a contrast between brass and woodwinds.
75	Otona Blueatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu		A buzzworthy song about the struggles of youth
76	FIFA anthemFranz Lambert		FIFA theme song, staple tracks for matches
77	Seventy-six TrombonesMeredith Willson		About famous marches from musical works
78	The Zero Sense10-FEET		A gym anthem that depicts the fiery spirit of basketball
79	the beauty among beautiesJohn Philip Sousa		Introduction to Sousa's flowing march
80	dance hallMrs. GREEN APPLE		Morning theme song, music for a sports day
81	African SymphonyVan McCoy		A classic upbeat song played at Koshien
82	Theme of Lupin the ThirdŌno Yūji		Yuji Ohno’s jazz, classic anime theme songs
83	My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS		How to perform the theme song of Your Name
84	strollHisaishi Joe		“Sanpo” is a refreshing march widely loved by many.
85	Military MarchFranz Schubert		A masterpiece of military marches composed by Schubert
86	Critical HitRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS' Song of Challenge
87	together; along with; bothWANIMA		WANIMA’s powerful cheer song
88	Cinderella GirlKing&Prince		A fairy-tale-themed love song with a strong, meaningful message
89	We are!kitadani hiroshi		Hiroshi Kitadani’s signature song ONE PIECE
90	It starts here!DREAMS COME TRUE		A cheer song for an ekiden theme
91	Heaven and HellOfufenbakku		Offenbach’s classic athletic meet song
92	William Tell OvertureRosshīni		A magnificent overture, marked by a powerful rhythm
93	OrangeSPYAIR		The sports day gets exciting with SPYAIR’s cheer song.
94	Baroque HoedownJean Jacques Perrey		Electronic music from a Moog synthesizer is the theme song of a Disney parade
95	Anpanman Exercisedoriimingu		Music for the beanbag toss event at a sports day
96	March ‘Memories Refrain’Itō Shion		A modern march notable for its key changes and instrumental call-and-response
97	Tokyo Olympic MarchKoseki Yūji		A song of hope for the 1964 Olympics
98	March “Sky of Hope”Wada Makoto		2012 set piece, a lively march-like composition
99	Ceremonial MarchSakai Takasuke		Award-winning wind ensemble masterpieces by Takamasa Sakai
100	March “Beyond the K-Point”Takahashi Shinya		The appeal of brass band marches that liven up sports days
101	Sports MarchMayuzumi Toshirō		A march composed by Toshiro Mayuzumi that’s a staple of sports broadcasts
102	Artillery of HonorJohn Philip Sousa		A march by Sousa that quotes Auld Lang Syne
103	A Trumpeter’s HolidayLeroy Anderson		Introduction to A Trumpeter’s Holiday
104	Grand MarchKonagaya Soichi		A brilliant march composed by Souichi Konagaya
105	Living in ColorChantry Johnson and Dewain Whitmore		Disney's 40th anniversary song shines at school sports day
106	The Wind of ProvenceTasaka Naoki		A wind band piece that paints the landscapes of Spain and Provence in music
107	migratory bird[Alexandros]		A song that celebrates the courage of young people who overcome hardships and move forward
108	The wind of MayMajima Toshio		The march “May Breeze” composed by Toshio Majima
109	Mickey Mouse MarchJimmie Dodd		Mickey Mouse theme song
110	idolYOASOBI		YOASOBI's theme song for Oshi no Ko
111	New Treasure IslandSakanakushon		A lively song that portrays a child's sense of adventure
112	Anpanman’s MarchMiki Takashi		Anpanman's theme song is a famous tune that everyone knows.