Entrance themes and chants too! Classic songs and background music that hype up NBA games [2026]
The NBA is one of the most popular sports leagues in the United States.
As the pinnacle of basketball, many hoops fans keep a close eye on every game.
In recent years, the spotlight has grown even brighter thanks to the success of Japanese players.
Essential to the NBA experience are the chants—team anthems and in-game background music.
If you’ve watched NBA games on streaming platforms, you’ve probably found yourself curious about them.
In this article, we’ll introduce music associated with the NBA!
We’ll keep the latest information updated while also featuring plenty of classic NBA tracks that have been loved for decades, so be sure to check them out.
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Entrance themes and chants too! Classic songs and BGM that hype up NBA games [2026] (41–50)
Roundball RockJohn Tesh
This is a piece composed by John Tesh, beloved as the theme song used when the NBA is broadcast on American television.
In Japan, people have often heard it when the U.S.
broadcast was used as-is.
Its driving, rock-infused sound is a major appeal and evokes the fast-paced nature of basketball.
Another highlight is the way it builds toward the finale, which helps stoke the determination to face your goals.
Enter Sandman EntranceMetallica
Metallica’s signature song “Enter Sandman” draws listeners into a world of nighttime terrors and nightmares with its majestic guitar riff and eerie lyrics.
Since its release in 1991, the track has been loved by fans around the world; it’s a staple in the NBA and is frequently used as entrance music at sporting events.
It’s an unbeatable choice for stoking the will to win—famously used, for example, when Virginia Tech’s basketball team takes the court at home.
Whether you’re a sports fan or a rock fan, the distinctive atmosphere of “Enter Sandman” and Metallica’s energetic performance deliver excitement and exhilaration in any setting.
In Da Club50 Cent
This is an absolute classic by 50 Cent, an indispensable figure when discussing the hip-hop scene since the 2000s—just one line of the intro could silence music fans around the world.
I vividly remember the first time I heard it: the astonishingly catchy hook, the provocative lyrics, and the impact of the music video flaunting his sculpted physique all completely blew me away.
It’s often used during NBA games and fits perfectly in that setting, but there’s actually a version produced for a Nike commercial in the U.S.
as well.
That one was remixed by The Neptunes, giving it a more glamorous vibe compared to the starkly minimalist original production—so definitely check that out too.
Come On Get ItLenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz, a multi-instrumentalist who handles most of the instruments on his albums, scored huge hits with a sound that blends elements of classic hard rock and funk into a modern form.
The hit songs he created still frequently appear on TV and in commercials, but the track we’re introducing today is Come On Get It, released ahead of his 2011 album Black and White America.
This song is a quintessential Lenny Kravitz killer tune, packed with hooks and driven by a robust yet supple groove.
A music video featuring NBA game footage was produced for it.
A few months after the song’s release, in February 2011, Lenny appeared at the NBA All-Star Game, delivering performances of signature tracks like Are You Gonna Go My Way and Come On Get It, electrifying the venue.
Never Gonna Come Back DownBT ft. M. Doughty
“Never Gonna Come Back Down,” a track by American musician BT (Brian Transeau), featuring singer-songwriter Mike Doughty.
Its gritty vocal work and electrifying production exude undeniable cool.
This very cool number perfectly matches the dynamic, high-energy play of the athletes! It’s included in a playlist on a music streaming service that compiles songs played during NBA games and the like.
Eye Of The TigerSurvivor
Hearing the tense intro and the heavy yet dynamic mid-tempo sound will surely make many people squint with nostalgia.
The signature song by the American band Survivor not only became a massive hit around the world, but also won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance, making it one of the quintessential anthems of the 1980s.
In fact, the song was commissioned by Sylvester Stallone himself and was used as the theme for the 1982 film Rocky III.
It’s a track that teaches us the courage to face adversity and the importance of self-actualization—perfect for amping up the atmosphere at an NBA game.
Know YourselfDrake
The NBA—and by extension, basketball—and hip-hop have an inseparable relationship.
“Know Yourself” by Drake, the world-renowned rapper from Canada, is a track from his 2015 mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.
Its understated, steady beat and flow draw you in, even evoking a calm atmosphere.
It’s a staple anthem among the Toronto Raptors basketball team.
Drake himself is a Raptors fan, too.