Songs that go well with sports
Do you find that many people listen to music while playing sports or right before they start, to boost their focus and motivation?
Some of you might also want to dedicate a song as a cheer anthem for athletes.
But it can be hard to decide which songs actually help improve concentration and motivation—or give you the courage to throw yourself into your sport, right?
In this article, we’ll introduce songs that are perfect for sports!
We’ve picked recommended tracks mainly from those that have been used as theme songs for the Olympics and world championships, so please use this as a reference.
- [To All Athletes] Inspirational Sports Anthems & Empowering Theme Songs
- Recommended music for marathons: uplifting songs that give you the courage to power through
- Entrance Songs for Athletes | A Comprehensive Introduction to Athletes’ Game-Day 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
- [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
- Encouraging songs: timeless masterpieces that resonate with the heart, recommended popular tracks
- Songs that are perfect for a walk: a roundup of tracks ideal for listening while you stroll
- Recommended cheer-up songs for high school students: tracks that will motivate you to do your best on entrance exams and club activities when you listen to them.
- [Today's Cheer Song] To everyone giving it your all! A gem of an inspiring anthem that resonates with the heart
- Songs to Play Before a Match: Athlete-Approved Anthems and Pump-Up Tracks That Overflow with Power
- [Basketball Cheer Songs] A curated selection of tournament theme songs and energizing anthems!
Songs that go well with sports (11–20)
together; along with; bothWANIMA
WANIMA, who have performed on numerous TV programs including NHK’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen as well as many festivals, have grown into one of Japan’s leading rock bands.
All of their songs burst with explosive energy, but among them, this track stands out for its sense of speed.
Its high tempo gives it the appeal of a fight song.
Give it a listen when you need a little extra push.
one’s true feelingssumika
A powerful ballad by sumika, written as the official cheer song for the 99th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.
It vividly portrays young people who, even in moments when they feel like giving up, link arms with their teammates and push forward.
Released in January 2021 as one of the tracks on a double A-side single, it is also included on the album “AMUSIC.” Starting in April of the same year, it was featured as the TV commercial song for Aisin Corporation.
This is a song that gently supports not only children devoted to club activities and sports, but everyone striving toward their goals.
PRIDENovelbright
This is a heartfelt, emotional rock track packed with passion.
Released by Novelbright in November 2022 and featured as the ending theme for the anime Yowamushi Pedal LIMIT BREAK, the song stands out with its energetic sound and vocals that soar beautifully into the higher register.
It conveys a strong resolve to believe in yourself and keep moving forward.
For athletes who train daily toward their dreams, it’s a song that gives the courage to overcome setbacks and hardships and keep progressing.
The night before the decisive battleSano ibuki
An anthem by Sano ibuki, celebrated for its exhilarating melody and vocals that soar into the open sky.
Included on the album STORY TELLER, this track was released in November 2019 as the theme song for the animated film Bokura no Nanokakan Sensō (Our Seven-Day War).
True to Sano ibuki’s emphasis on storytelling, the song is crafted with a rich backstory.
It’s a recommended track when you want to steel yourself before a big challenge or need the courage to face something head-on.
AshesSuperfly
This song by Superfly, which drew attention as the theme song for TBS’s Sunday drama “Gekokujō Kyūji,” was released in November 2023.
It resonates with the protagonists’ emotions as they waver between their passion for baseball and the dilemmas they face, vividly depicting the complex feelings everyone carries deep inside.
Released alongside the album “Heat Wave,” it has also been performed on a nationwide arena tour, continuing to captivate in live performances.
It’s an empowering anthem that supports not only athletes, but all those striving toward their dreams and goals.
Tsunage KizunaTHE RAMPAGE
A heartwarming cheer song released by THE RAMPAGE in October 2022.
It features a powerful message that conveys respect for athletes who fight with a unified heart and a deep appreciation for bonds with teammates.
Chosen as the official theme song for TBS’s broadcast of the 2022 FIVB Women’s World Championship and also used for BS-TBS’s Volleyball Nations League 2023, the track captivates with an energetic sound that reflects the group’s momentum and a melody that resonates emotionally.
It’s a song that will give you courage and energy—perfect for watching sports where you’re moved by athletes giving their all, or for times when your team is striving together toward a shared goal.
Songs that go well with sports (21–30)
AgainWANIMA
A rock tune by WANIMA that sings of a strong will to move forward again while overcoming setbacks and failures.
It captures the realization that past experiences shape who we are now, and the determination to take a new step with the courage to stand up again and again.
Released in March 2019 on their 4th single “Good Job!!,” the song also drew attention as the theme for the TBS drama “Maison de Police.” It’s a motivational anthem that gently supports not only athletes but everyone striving toward their dreams and goals.