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
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- 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 (41–50)
Flying BAK-6943rank/position
AK-69, a charismatic figure in Japan’s hip-hop scene who keeps rapping about the indomitable spirit of clawing your way up from the bottom and aiming for the top.
This track is a fiery anthem of fighting spirit, depicting his resolve to turn adversity into fuel and rise from “B-class” to soaring in the sky.
With no Auto-Tune, his rap hurls the raw cry from deep in his chest straight at you, shaking the listener’s emotions to the core.
Released as a single in February 2016, it was also included on DAWN, his first album after moving to the prestigious Def Jam Recordings.
Listen to it at the moment you steel yourself to step into the ring—like a sumo wrestler heading to the dohyo—and it’s sure to push you forward.
Gate of GloryHirai Dai44rank/position
This song celebrates the importance of dreams and taking on challenges.
It blends the feel-good vibes of surf music with a positive message.
Released digitally in July 2022, it was chosen as a cheer song for summer high school baseball and as the theme for Nettō Kōshien.
Dai Hirai’s warm vocals resonate with the passion and effort of high school ballplayers.
Beyond the realm of competition, it offers encouragement to everyone who keeps looking forward and taking on life’s challenges.
It’s a supportive anthem that gently pushes not only players aiming for the Summer Koshien, but also anyone striving toward their own dreams.
Pump It UpEndor45rank/position
The pair of Yuna Nagaoka and Sumito Moriguchi clinched the title at the All-Japan Championships in their debut 2023–24 season.
The music here is what they used for their program at the ice show “Bloom On Ice 2024.” The original track is by Danzel, released in 1998, and this version uses Endor’s 2019 remix.
Drawing on the workout vibe suggested by the title “Pump It Up,” the choreography weaves in training-themed movements, resulting in a performance that’s both comical and powerful.
As a show program, it really conveys the fun in sync with the music.
Don’t give upZARD46rank/position
When it comes to motivational songs, many people probably think of ZARD’s “Makenaide” (“Don’t Give Up”).
Although it was originally a song about a long-distance relationship, it became established as a classic cheer song because it’s sung to support the runners’ final sprint in the 24-Hour TV charity marathon.
Its mid-tempo melody gives it a sense of drive while still being easy to sing, which is another reason it’s loved by so many.
If you’re looking to rally a crowd in song, be sure to choose this track.
A Cheer Song Dedicated to YouHIPPY47rank/position
Its straightforward lyrics and husky vocals deliver a powerful cheer to everyone who listens! This song by singer-songwriter HIPPY was included on the album “HomeBase ~Arigatou~,” released in March 2017.
It originally started as one of the album tracks, but spread by word of mouth among athletes and students, and in 2020 it was chosen as walk-up music by 11 professional baseball players—the most that year.
Starting in 2025, it’s also been featured as the CM song for Morinaga Seika’s “in brand,” familiar from commercials supporting the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships.
It’s a moving classic whose message stands beside anyone who keeps getting back up.
How about it for those moments when you want to unite hearts with your teammates?
Until the World Ends…WANDS48rank/position
WANDS, a band that brightened Japan’s music scene in the 1990s.
Their hit song “As the World Ends…” was released in 1992 and is also known as the ending theme for the anime Slam Dunk.
The lyrics, which evoke a sense of lost love and the loneliness that follows, have resonated with many and made it a timeless classic.
It’s a recommended track for everyone who loves basketball and for those striving to move forward in their daily lives.
HeroAmuro Namie49rank/position
The song by Namie Amuro, created as a cheer anthem for athletes challenging the Olympics, carries a hopeful message that everyone has their own hero and can one day become someone else’s hero.
Released in July 2016, the track was selected as NHK’s theme song for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic broadcasts, and it adorned a moving performance at the 68th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen in 2017, achieving a peak viewer rating of 48.4%.
Choosing this piece as your walking companion will energize you for a brand-new day.