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.
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Songs to Listen to Before a Match: Athlete Favorites?! Energizing Anthems and Victory Tracks (161–170)
PLAY THE GAMEroodo obu mejyaa
Released in 2007, this is Road of Major’s 10th single.
After releasing this song, Road of Major disbanded, making it their final track.
It was also the opening theme for season 3 of the popular anime Major.
Although Major is a baseball anime, this song seems to capture the entire world of the series.
It’ll pump you up before any match, not just in baseball but in any sport.
GONGSixTONES
This is a high-energy anthem that charges toward victory, fusing powerful sound with fiery vocals.
Its positive message—“I don’t want to lose, I won’t give up”—carries a compelling force that only the six members of SixTONES can deliver.
Released in July 2024 and featured as an insert song for the Nippon TV drama ACMA:GAME, the track is marked by siren-like guitar riffs and a heavy beat.
Before an important match or decisive moment, and when gearing up to fight alongside your teammates, this song is sure to ignite anyone’s fighting spirit.
Kill This LoveBLACKPINK
BLACKPINK is a four-member Korean girl group that’s active worldwide and drawing major attention.
Their song “Kill This Love” delivers a hard-hitting, powerful sound brimming with femininity and female strength.
It carries a message about breaking away from your weaker self and becoming a stronger, new you.
It’s the perfect track to stoke your motivation before a match.
Permission to DanceBTS
Written and composed by artists and professionals including Ed Sheeran, “Permission to Dance” is a classic dance-pop track that energized 2021 through its collaboration with the globally active BTS.
With a rhythm that makes you want to get up and dance and an overwhelmingly positive message, it’s simply a joy to listen to.
I think it has the power to evoke the pure feelings of childhood and emotions like fun and love.
Mai Murakami, the Tokyo Olympics gymnastics bronze medalist, reportedly listened to BTS songs to get herself pumped up too.
Its driving sense of dynamism feels great, and I highly recommend it as a track to boost your motivation!
one’s true feelingssumika
Written as the official cheer song for the 99th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, this is “Honne” by the rock band sumika.
Sumika is beloved for lyrics that speak directly to listeners with powerful vocals, and table tennis player Tomokazu Harimoto has publicly declared himself a fan.
“Honne” sings about the weaknesses and frustrations that almost inevitably arise when chasing a dream—the candid “true feelings” laid bare—and the friendship that grows among teammates.
Whether in individual or team events, relationships with teammates are vital in sports.
This is a song that makes you truly feel, “It’s because we support each other that we can keep going.”
FrontierKitazono Ryo
While Ryo Kitazono is primarily active as an actor, he also releases original songs as a singer.
“Frontier” is an invigorating track, brimming with a driving sound and the refreshing clarity of Kitazono’s voice.
Having appeared in many musicals, his vocals are rock-solid, fully on par with professional musicians.
It’s an uplifting song that only Kitazono—who has stood on countless stages and experienced the front lines of acting firsthand—could sing.
It’s perfect for anyone starting something new.
Even if, even ifRyokushokushakai
A number overflowing with a sense of speed that still carries the warm touch characteristic of Ryoku Shaka.
It’s the theme song for the 93rd National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, and I believe it will support not only baseball players but also anyone striving in sports and everyone enduring these difficult times.
With a melody that makes you want to hum along from the first listen and a richly colored sound, the lyrics that give you a push forward resonate deeply.
It even overlaps with declarations of determination or players’ oaths.
A warm cheer song whose encouragement, gifted to someone, spreads in a circle.
It’s sure to lift your spirits as a song for pivotal moments, too!