[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: powerful BGM that ignites 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!

Playlist

[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: powerful BGM that ignites your fighting spirit
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs.'s “Inferno” is perfect for tug-of-war.
2	breakthroughSUPER BEAVER		A song that expresses the power of challenge
3	together; along with; bothWANIMA		A classic whose uplifting vocals give your heart a gentle push forward
4	BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu to produce the opening theme song for Medalist
5	OrangeSPYAIR		A powerful cheering song by SPYAIR
6	I am the strongest.Ado		Expressing the determination to face difficulties with a powerful singing voice
7	GOATNumber_i		A powerful rap song by Number_i
8	Go for it!!Urufuruzu		Ulfuls' smash-hit song, “Gattsu da ze”
9	flash[Alexandros]		Gundam theme song, hope and fighting spirit
10	PlazmaYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu, theme song for the movie 'Gundam'
11	GONGWANIMA		A rock song depicting challenges and the bonds of comrades
12	Zankyo SankaAimer		Demon Slayer OP, perfect for a sports day
13	GUTS !arashi		Arashi’s “GUTS!” is a cheer song for sports festivals.
14	LOSERYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu's 'LOSER' is suitable for a sports day
15	single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu		Jujutsu Kaisen theme song, a powerful track by King Gnu
16	I can only face forwardAKB48		A passionate rock sound of courage to face forward and the power of unity
17	BREAKOUTSnow Man		A powerful rock song by Snow Man
18	ultra soulB’z		A powerful cry of the soul that challenges the limits
19	Heart Throbsnobobyknows̟+		nobodyknows+’s signature song, an up-tempo and positive rap
20	The Zero Sense10-FEET		The passion to pursue one's dreams and the resolve to face hardships
21	Tsunahiki Empiregagaga supi		Gagaga SP Tug-of-War Life Cheering Song
22	We Will Rock YouQueen		Heavy beat tracks go well with tug-of-war.
23	Soul RevolutionSuperfly		Stoke your fighting spirit with Tamashii Revolution
24	Let’s give it a tryWANIMA		WANIMA’s background music for a sports day
25	Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s theme song for Aonatsu
26	Be The OnePandora		Build Theme Composed by Tetsuya Komuro
27	Hey MickeyToni Basil		Tony Basil's 1981 hit song
28	ECHOLittle Glee Monster		NHK Rugby Theme Song 'ECHO'
29	Goodbye ElegySuda Masaki		Introduction to Masaki Suda’s “Sayonara Elegy”
30	A view I’ve never seen beforeSuda Masaki		Masaki Suda’s debut song, an uptempo rock track
31	Rocky Theme		The Rocky theme boosts fighting spirit.
32	One moreFUNKY MONKEY BABYS		Introducing the best songs for tug-of-war at a sports day
33	Night Sky Patrol of TomorrowOrangestar		A Vocaloid song that sings of parting and the future
34	RISINGYoshida Kyōdai		Liven up the tug-of-war with a Tsugaru shamisen piece by the Yoshida Brothers
35	poofKing Gnu		King Gnu's song Doron is captivating.
36	Don’t give upZARD		ZARD’s classic uplifting songs
37	NIPPONShiina Ringo		Soccer World Cup theme song composed by Ringo Sheena
38	FateOfisharu Higedan Dism		Higedan’s high school baseball cheering song
39	AdventureYOASOBI		YOASOBI to produce the theme song for Uni Spring
40	Feeling great!!mihimaru GT		Nostalgic hit songs by mihimaru GT
41	Joyfulikimonogakari		A pop number by Ikimono-gakari
42	helm’N bass10-FEET		A reggae-arranged song by 10-FEET
43	Kawasaki DriftBAD HOP		BAD HOP's 'Kawasaki Drift' features fiery rap
44	Plan ADISH//		Anime-themed challenge theme rock song
45	nowHikakin & Seikin		A song themed around the time of Hikakin and Seikin
46	APOLLO STYLEAPOLLO		APOLLO, a fusion of reggae and hip-hop
47	IllusionMY FIRST STORY × HYDE		A powerful collaboration track by MY FIRST STORY and HYDE
48	Rhyme Wave Phrase DisciplesCHEHON		CHEHON's signature reggae song
49	The Greatest ShowHugh Jackman, Keala Settle, Zac Efron, Zendaya & The Greatest Showman Ensemble		Recommended for tug-of-war as the theme song of a musical film
50	Enthralling Dance ~ MizutsuneUraya Reo		Monster Hunter Subjugation Battle BGM
51	Soldier, run.B’z		In “hito hashiru” the hei means “valiant warrior.”
52	SUNRISESPECTRUM		Sunrise is recommended for tug-of-war.
53	Get WildTM NETWORK		A signature song by TM NETWORK, perfect for a sports day
54	Sora-buneTOKIO		A powerful rock song by TOKIO
55	peace signYonezu Kenshi		A fast-paced rock song by Kenshi Yonezu
56	Rocky Themebirukonti		Rocky's theme song Effort and Growth
57	100% Courage		The energetic theme song of Nintama Rantaro
58	We’ve gotta do what seems impossible.Sambomasutā		Sambomaster has many songs that cheer on people who are doing their best.
59	Full-Power BoySukima Suichi		Sukima Switch’s cheer song
60	Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai		A dynamic song that depicts a passionate page of youth
61	PRAYING RUNUVERworld		UVERworld running songs
62	Theme from Mission: Impossible		Theme song of Mission: Impossible
63	danceAdo		Ado is popular for dance music with samba elements
64	Theme of the Unruly Shogun		Tug-of-war hype with the Abarenbo Shogun theme
65	migratory bird[Alexandros]		Alexandros 2015 commercial song
66	OH!SHISHAMO		SHISHAMO’s song “OH!” is a guitar rock track brimming with youthful energy.
67	Symphony No. 5 “Revolution,” Fourth MovementDmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich		Mood boost with Shostakovich’s symphonies
68	superstarKetsumeishi		A hip-hop and pop fusion, a cheering anthem that celebrates talent
69	Kono Yubi Tomareyosugala		An anthem that encourages the courage to face setbacks
70	Critical HitRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS' youth-supporting rock song
71	Kaikai KitanEVE		A powerful song that portrays the strength to overcome the darkness
72	Miracle of BondsMAN WITH A MISSION×milet		Demon Slayer theme song, an anthem of courage and bonds
73	Cry BabyOfisharu Higedan Dism		Tokyo Revengers theme song, a famous song of courage and bonds
74	Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA		Opening theme song of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, courage and indomitable spirit
75	Helloyama × bocchiboromaru		Cheering Song by yama and Bocchi Boromaru
76	earnest desireSUPER BEAVER		A rock song that sings about the importance of human connection and smiles
77	Perfect-Sense DreamerONE OK ROCK		The aggressive rock of ONE OK ROCK that advances with a sense-driven approach
78	HeroYOASOBI		Frieren opening theme, a passionate song by YOASOBI
79	ultramarineYOASOBI		Expressing the passion and dreams of youth with blue light
80	Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā		A song of courage to pursue one’s true self and move toward hope
81	SignalWANIMA		A song full of courage and hope
82	gg resplendent10-FEET		10-FEET's rock song hypes up the tug-of-war
83	Hypnosis Mic -Division Battle Anthem-Division All Stars		In Hypnosis Mic, male voice actors shine in rap battles.
84	I’ll tell you what you don’t know—listen up, SHOW.TOKONA-X		A classic of TOKONA-X’s fiery rap
85	S.P.LThe Birthday		Expressing the power of love through rock × poetry
86	Pump ItThe Black Eyed Peas		A refreshing and passionate song by the Black Eyed Peas
87	Splattack!Minegishi Tooru		The Splatoon theme song is perfect for a sports day
88	A victorious smile with youUkasukaji		A youthful song that sings of bonds with friends and the courage to take on challenges
89	Street DreamsZeebra		Zeebra song sings of the strength to chase dreams
90	ENVYcoldrain		Rousing your fighting spirit with a powerful song
91	COME and GOsutoreitenaa		Straightener's fast-paced, driving new rock song
92	Believe in YourselfAbe Mao		I feel encouraged and energized by Abe Mao’s cheering song.
93	I can still go on.Abe Mao		Abe Mao’s new song still goes hard
94	LuluAdo		Ado’s new song: a powerful track rebelling against societal rules
95	Sacrificemafumafu		Mafumafu’s powerful song Sacrifice
96	Symphony No. 9 “From the New World,” Fourth MovementAntonín Leopold Dvořák		Dvořák’s famous piece is popular at sports festivals.
97	L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2: FarandoleGeorges Bizet		A splendid festive dance piece originating from Provence
98	Colonel BogeyKenneth Joseph Alford		A British composer's march is a staple at sports days.
99	Delusion:AllONE OK ROCK		A powerful signature song by ONE OK ROCK
100	Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā		A song that expresses the feelings of heartbreak in a lighthearted way
101	RPGSEKAI NO OWARI		Unite in an RPG and take on a tug-of-war