Ranking of popular sports songs
Sports and music are closely connected, aren’t they?
When you actually play sports yourself, don’t you often listen to music too?
Plus, from the Olympics to each sport’s World Cup, there are always theme songs, and at baseball games, live brass-band fight songs are essential!
In this article, we’ll rank and introduce some of the most popular songs among the many pieces of music related to sports.
If you’re looking for songs that go well with sports, be sure to use this as a reference.
- [To All Athletes] Inspirational Sports Anthems & Empowering Theme Songs
- Entrance Songs for Athletes | A Comprehensive Introduction to Athletes’ Game-Day Anthems!
- Songs to Play Before a Match: Athlete-Approved Anthems and Pump-Up Tracks That Overflow with Power
- Top Songs to Hype Up Sports Day and Athletic Festivals [2026]
- Songs that go well with sports
- Perfect for sports or driving! High-energy, fast-paced tracks that will get you pumped
- [Frenzy] A Collection of Popular High School Baseball Cheering Songs
- Koshien Songs & Theme Songs: Iconic Tracks and Fight Songs That Support High School Baseball Players
- Entrance music for sports. Classic and popular athlete anthems.
- Songs That Make You Want to Run: Music for Running and Jogging to Get You Motivated!
- [TOKYO 2020] Summary of Theme Songs and Cheer/Support Songs for the Tokyo Olympics
- [New Songs & All-Time] Olympic Cheer Songs and Olympic Theme Songs
- Song of Victory: Iconic Tracks Smiled Upon by the Goddess & Uplifting Cheer Anthems
Sports Popular Songs Ranking (21–30)
prideGReeeeN29rank/position
A GReeeeN song that colors the blazing summer of high school baseball.
Carried by a powerful, up-tempo sound, the players’ heartfelt messages resonate deeply.
Included on an album released in June 2012, this track was produced as the ABC Summer High School Baseball Cheer Song and was also chosen as the theme for “Nettou Koshien.” The lyrics, which say that past experiences support the future, seem to celebrate the daily efforts of the ballplayers.
It’s a song that fires up not only those striving toward their dreams, but also those who cheer them on.
When high school baseball season arrives, it becomes a popular anthem echoing through stadiums across the country.
Kernkraft 400Zombie Nation30rank/position
A masterpiece of electronic music born in the ’90s, it’s supremely cool—limitlessly simple yet so impactful you can’t forget it after a single listen.
Zombie Nation’s track is also famous for its frequent use in sports scenes.
It’s often played at soccer and football games, and in the NBA it’s widely adopted as an entrance theme or background music by various teams.
Released in 1999, it dominated charts around the world and became a massive hit, even going platinum in the UK.
With its uncanny power to unite an entire stadium, why not let this song pull you into the frenzy of the NBA, too?
Sports popular song rankings (31–40)
Eye Of The TigerSurvivor31rank/position
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.
flying boatKing Gnu32rank/position
Kauta Hashimoto is a skilled fighter who shines in the RIZIN ring.
The King Gnu song used as his entrance theme is a powerful rock number produced in August 2019 as a commercial song for ANA.
With lyrics themed around breaking free from constraints and taking on new challenges, it speaks to the importance of escaping the cage called “righteousness” and living true to yourself—perfectly capturing a fighter’s state of mind.
It’s a standout track recommended for moments when you need the courage to face hardship and when you’re stepping up to a new stage.
At the End of SorrowElefanto Kashimashi33rank/position
Elephant Kashimashi, the rock band known for their powerful sound and soulful vocals.
One of the masterpieces they created truly hits straight to the heart as an anthem for life.
This song is a memorable single released in April 1996, marking the band’s new start.
It was chosen as the fifth opening theme for BS TV Tokyo’s “Golf Samurai, Appears!” and is also included on the album “Kokoro ni Hana wo.” When this track plays as a player faces a tough par putt, or at the very moment they clinch victory after a long battle, the emotion becomes even deeper.
Full-Power BoySukima Suichi34rank/position
An energetic song by Sukima Switch that awakens youthful passion and a pure heart.
It reminds us—through a refreshing melody—of the importance of the “give-it-your-all” attitude that we tend to forget as adults.
Released in April 2004 as a tie-in for an NTT Docomo Kansai regional commercial, the track skillfully fuses elements of pop rock and jazz, reflecting the members’ roots.
With a tempo around 120 BPM, it’s perfect for strolls and walks.
Recommended when you want a boost in motivation or when you’re feeling worn out by busy days.
HalationHata Motohiro35rank/position
Singer-songwriter Motohiro Hata.
The song he wrote as the theme for the 2009 National High School Baseball Championship is “Halation.” It’s a piece that sings of summer’s dazzling brightness and the swift passage of time, and its lyrics grip the hearts of many.
It’s also a great track for sparking memories of youth.
Another lovely touch is the subtle baseball-related phrases sprinkled throughout the lyrics—try listening while you look for them.
