Songs to Play Before a Match: Athlete-Approved Anthems and Pump-Up Tracks That Overflow with Power
At those crucial moments—like during daily practice or right before an important match—music stays by our side and gives us tremendous strength.
Many of you probably listen to your favorite songs to boost your spirits as you head into those special moments.
In this article, we’ve picked out uplifting, heart-stirring anthems that raise your motivation.
From upbeat tracks that fire up your fighting spirit, to relaxing numbers that wrap you in a sense of calm, to athletes’ personal favorites—we’ve gathered a wide variety of songs.
We hope you’ll find them helpful.
- [Hype Songs] A must-listen for athletes and sports lovers! A curated selection of tracks that boost motivation
- [Fuel Your Fighting Spirit] An Adrenaline-Pumping Fight Song
- Entrance Songs for Athletes | A Comprehensive Introduction to Athletes’ Game-Day Anthems!
- Before a match or when you feel like giving up! Cheer songs to keep you going in club activities
- [2026] Motivation Boost! A Collection of Classic Western Songs to Listen to Before a Match
- [Exams, Club Activities, Dreams] Encouragement songs recommended for teens: Tracks to listen to when you want to do your best
- Entrance music for sports. Classic and popular athlete anthems.
- [Basketball Cheer Songs] A curated selection of tournament theme songs and energizing anthems!
- Song of Victory: Iconic Tracks Smiled Upon by the Goddess & Uplifting Cheer Anthems
- Recommended cheer-up songs for high school students: tracks that will motivate you to do your best on entrance exams and club activities when you listen to them.
- Ranking of popular sports songs
- Koshien Songs & Theme Songs: Iconic Tracks and Fight Songs That Support High School Baseball Players
- [Today's Cheer Song] To everyone giving it your all! A gem of an inspiring anthem that resonates with the heart
Songs to Listen to Before a Match: Athlete Favorites!? Power-Packed Fight Anthems and Victory Tracks (91–100)
Flying BAK-69
The song that became famous as gymnast Kōhei Uchimura’s “fight song” is Flying B by AK-69, a rapper based in both New York and Japan.
It’s said that Uchimura also listened to it before competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where the men’s gymnastics team won gold for the first time in three Games.
The lyrics fire you up for victory, making it a perfect pre-competition track.
If you haven’t heard it yet, definitely give it a listen!
laser beamPerfume
Laser Beam, sung by the technopop unit Perfume, is their 13th single, released in 2011.
It was used in commercials for Kirin Chu-Hi Hyoketsu and reached No.
2 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
The title “Laser Beam” may evoke Ichiro, the former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues, and the lyrics even include words like “ground,” which call baseball to mind.
So if you play baseball, try listening to it before a game!
Heart Throbsnobobyknows̟+
Kokoro Odoru has also been making waves with performances on music shows and THE FIRST TAKE.
It’s a hip-hop song by nobodyknows+.
The buoyant beat and lyrics that capture a feeling of excitement have earned it wide support.
Try listening to it when you’re looking forward to something to lift your mood.
Also, this song is perfect for blowing off steam.
Sing it with your friends and let loose.
Get Myself BackAmuro Namie
Haruka Tachimoto, the women’s judo gold medalist, listens to Namie Amuro’s “Get Myself Back” right before her matches.
She started listening to it after a friend gave her the song before a bout.
The lyrics are gently encouraging and appealing, and Tachimoto says that when she listens to it, she can stay calm while igniting her fighting spirit.
Unstoppable ha~haYazawa Eikichi
Soccer player Sei Muroya, who loves fiery tracks, listens to this one before matches.
It’s a song by the eternal rock star Eikichi Yazawa.
It was included on his 14th album, Tokyo Night, released in 1986.
Many athletes use it as their walkout or entrance music, and it’s a very popular track.
His vocals are manly and super cool!
lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE
A work that delicately portrays the radiance and bitterness of youth, as well as the conflicts that come with growing up, was released by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE in April 2024.
Gently wrapping bittersweet memories and the dawn of new love, the song has been selected as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime “Oblivion Battery,” winning the hearts of listeners across generations.
It strikes a superb balance between a powerful melody riding on a brisk rhythm and lyrics that finely depict the inner heart.
Within Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s characteristically bright, pop sound, the anxieties and hopes unique to youth—and the way we face ourselves—are skillfully interwoven, making it a motivating anthem for practice ahead of school sports days and athletic festivals.
At the 66th Japan Record Awards, it won the Grand Prize, marking the first-ever back-to-back victory by a band.
Go GoBTS
Here’s what tennis player Naomi Osaka, who has achieved a world No.
1 ranking, was reportedly listening to: a song by the Korean hip-hop group BTS.
It’s included on their 2018 album ‘FACE YOURSELF.’ The lyrics say, “Let’s work hard and make money every day!” Money is important, isn’t it…? No, it’s really a positive message.