[Sports Day] Recommended Songs for Tug-of-War: A curated selection of powerful BGM to fire up your fighting spirit!
When you hear “music for tug-of-war at a school sports day,” does any song come to mind?
You might easily imagine tracks for relays or sprints, but when it comes to tug-of-war, nothing quite clicks—that’s probably true for many people.
So in this article, we’ll introduce songs from a wide range of genres—popular J-pop, international pop, video game music, and more—that seem like a great match for tug-of-war.
From powerful, driving tunes to high-energy tracks that stoke your fighting spirit, we’ve gathered plenty of punchy songs.
Use this as a reference when choosing your BGM!
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[Sports Day] Recommended Songs for Tug-of-War: A Curated Selection of Powerful, Fight-Stirring BGM (21–30)
flash[Alexandros]
![flash[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xfG6L9I7N8I/sddefault.jpg)
Centered on powerful guitar riffs and an exhilarating rock sound, [Alexandros]’s theme song paints an epic story.
Released in May 2021, the track brilliantly captures the world of the theatrical anime Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway.
Its lyrics—laden with deep messages about hope for the future born from past pain and dialogues with one’s inner voice—are a perfect fit for scenes like a tug-of-war at a sports day, where fighting spirit burns.
The driving sound and empowering message will strengthen team unity and serve as a reliable ally when aiming for victory.
Zankyo SankaAimer
Rock that bursts with a sense of speed is perfect for showcase events like relays and tug-of-war! “Zankyosanka” is an upbeat tune released by Aimer in 2022, featuring the resounding tones of a vibrant brass band, and it was used as the opening theme for the anime Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc.
The powerful band sound that sets your heart ablaze perfectly matches the excitement of a sports day, doesn’t it?
The Zero Sense10-FEET
Created as the ending theme song for the film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK, this track is themed around basketball and expresses the passion of pursuing one’s dreams and the resolve to face adversity.
While symbolically portraying the doubts and traps players encounter, its lyrics depict the strength to overcome them and achieve one’s goals—resonating deeply with participants who are giving their all in a tug-of-war.
LOSERYonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu, who enjoys overwhelming support even among elementary and middle school students.
“LOSER” is upbeat and danceable, making it a perfect track for sports day background music.
The title means “loser,” but… precisely because it carries a message like “Don’t give up! Throw yourself into it with everything you’ve got!”, it might be a great, intentional choice.
ultra soulB’z
This is a classic rock number that powerfully sings out a soul’s cry to challenge one’s own limits.
Riding on a sound brimming with intensity and impact, it vividly portrays the meaning of hard work and the passion for achieving goals.
Released in March 2001 as the official theme song for TV Asahi’s “FINA World Championships Fukuoka 2001,” the track became a major hit as B’z’s 31st single.
It has since been used repeatedly at subsequent World Aquatics Championships and the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.
Its uplifting, powerful melody and positive message make it the ultimate BGM to boost the morale of a team taking on a tug-of-war.
Tsunahiki Empiregagaga supi
The title is, of all things, “Tsunahiki Empire.” Isn’t that a song made for tug-of-war? This track by Gagaga SP, a punk band Kansai is proud of, was even used in a commercial, so I bet many people have heard it.
It belts out, full-throttle, a metaphor of life as a tug-of-war.
The tempo is fast, and it could easily turn into BGM that makes you feel like, “Whoa, the match was over in a flash!” (lol).
We Will Rock YouQueen
Heavy-beat songs seem to suit tug-of-war, don’t they? In that case, how about Queen’s “We Will Rock You”? If you pull the rope to this track—with its dusty, hard-stomping feel—you’ll probably sync your breathing and feel the power surge.
It seems some schools now include a short dance before the event, so doing something like body percussion is also a great idea.
