Entrance Songs for Athletes | A Comprehensive Introduction to Athletes’ Game-Day Anthems!
In sports, the entrance songs that hype up players’ walk-ons boost the excitement not just for the athletes themselves, but for everyone involved in the game—spectators in the stands and fans watching on TV alike.
Because these tracks are impactful and cool, many people probably listen to them when they play sports or want to get motivated.
In this article, we’ve gathered music used as entrance songs across a variety of sports.
From well-known tracks adopted by many athletes to the latest hits, we’ll introduce a wide range regardless of discipline—so see if you can find a favorite track.
- Songs to Play Before a Match: Athlete-Approved Anthems and Pump-Up Tracks That Overflow with Power
- Entrance music for sports. Classic and popular athlete anthems.
- [To All Athletes] Inspirational Sports Anthems & Empowering Theme Songs
- [Hype Songs] A must-listen for athletes and sports lovers! A curated selection of tracks that boost motivation
- [2026] Entrance Music for Sports: Cool Western Songs and Entrance BGMs
- Ranking of popular sports songs
- Songs That Make You Want to Run: Music for Running and Jogging to Get You Motivated!
- Boxing entrance songs and walkout songs
- [For those doing their best] A collection of motivational cheer songs
- Entrance themes and chants too! Classic songs and background music that hype up NBA games [2026]
- Songs that hype up the athlete entrance at school sports festivals
- [A Cheer for Myself] A pep song dedicated to you who are doing your very best
- Soccer supporter songs and theme songs: A roundup of classic chants and anthems
Walk-up Music for Athletes | A Comprehensive Showcase of Athletes’ Hype Songs (31–40)
paprikaFoorin
Kenshi Yonezu’s “Paprika,” which many players—including SoftBank Hawks’ Nobuhiro Matsuda—use as their walk-up song, was also chosen as NHK’s theme song for the Tokyo Olympics held in 2020.
It truly enjoys recognition befitting a quintessential sports anthem of the Reiwa era.
With lyrics that include words perfect for sports, such as “dreams” and “flowers,” it has become a representative sports song in both popularity and substance.
I Wish For YouEXILE
This song by EXILE was the official theme for the World Volleyball Championship broadcast on TBS in 2010.
I’m not very familiar with volleyball, so I didn’t know an EXILE song was used, but the dynamism of volleyball matches pairs beautifully with EXILE’s music.
road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)GReeeeN
There are times at life’s turning points when you’re unsure which path to take.
GReeeeN’s major-label debut single, released in January 2007, is a rousing anthem that gives you a powerful push forward in those moments.
In addition to being used as the theme for TBS’s “CDTV,” the song also has strong ties to baseball; it’s known for being Yu Darvish’s walk-up song when he led the team during the 2023 WBC.
If you’re striving toward a goal but find yourself frozen by anxiety, this is the one song you should listen to.
King & QueenPorunogurafiti
The song was originally released as the theme for NTV’s “Grand Champions Cup Volleyball 2017,” but Seibu Lions pitcher Katsunori Hirai now uses it as his walkout song.
Since the concept is to cheer on athletes, it’s designed to be upbeat and energizing.
gentianWANIMA
This is a rock ballad by the Kumamoto-born trio WANIMA—quiet yet powerfully prayerful.
KENTA’s straightforward vocals really grab your heart, don’t they? The song is included on the album COMINATCHA!!, released in October 2019.
Many people may have heard it as an insert song in the drama Namba MG5.
During the 2023 WBC, it was also used as the walk-up song for Munetaka Murakami, who is likewise from Kumamoto.
A song that stands beside those who carry loneliness or anxiety, it became a powerful push forward.
When you’re going through something tough, this will surely be a track that gives you the courage to keep moving.
Walk-up Songs for Sports Athletes | A Comprehensive Introduction to Athletes’ Pump-Up Tracks (41–50)
Like this tonightaimyon
A work released by Aimyon in November 2018 is perfect for those moments when the night grows quiet and you want to gently calm your mind.
Written as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “We Cannot Become Beasts,” the track portrays the pent-up emotions and loneliness of people living in the city.
It also drew attention as a song that stands by athletes facing high-stakes moments, after being chosen as Roki Sasaki’s walk-up music during the 2023 WBC.
Whether you’re feeling the tension before a big challenge or spending a night alone with your thoughts, listening to it can gradually ease your mind.
ONEAK-69
The entrance song of professional boxer Takuma Inoue, the younger of the Inoue brothers, is AK-69’s “ONE.” He has publicly stated that he’s a fan of AK-69.
I think a favorite artist’s track is indeed perfect for getting pumped up.