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 fit sports (41–50)
It starts here!DREAMS COME TRUE
Brimming with dynamic rhythm and a powerful melody, this track serves as a heartwarming anthem that, while a theme song for an ekiden relay race, also celebrates life’s challenges, hard work, and those taking a bold new step forward.
DREAMS COME TRUE fuse ’80s disco sounds with Latin grooves into a lively arrangement that gently pushes listeners onward.
The song was released digitally ahead of time in January 2025 and was later included as a single in March of the same year as the theme song for the “ACN EXPO EKIDEN 2025 Commemorating the Osaka-Kansai Expo.” It’s a buoyant tune that, when played during practice for school sports days or athletic festivals, naturally sparks a sense of camaraderie with teammates and a renewed determination to reach your goals.
RunLittle Glee Monster
An encouraging song for first graders, created in collaboration with Meiji Probio Yogurt R-1, was finally released by Little Glee Monster in March 2025.
Featured on the album “Ambitious,” this upbeat pop track celebrates the importance of continuing to chase your dreams and goals.
Its up-tempo melody and powerful vocals blend in perfect balance, resonating deeply with listeners.
In particular, the super-groovy, dynamic sound and the fiery message of pushing forward into the future with everything you’ve got make it irresistibly energizing.
It’s the perfect song to listen to when taking a first step into a new environment or when you hit a wall.
Highly recommended as a motivational anthem for moments when you want to give it your all—like practice for sports days and athletic festivals, or even club activities.
lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE
A work that delicately portrays the radiance and bitterness of youth, as well as the conflicts that come with growing up, was released by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE in April 2024.
Gently wrapping bittersweet memories and the dawn of new love, the song has been selected as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime “Oblivion Battery,” winning the hearts of listeners across generations.
It strikes a superb balance between a powerful melody riding on a brisk rhythm and lyrics that finely depict the inner heart.
Within Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s characteristically bright, pop sound, the anxieties and hopes unique to youth—and the way we face ourselves—are skillfully interwoven, making it a motivating anthem for practice ahead of school sports days and athletic festivals.
At the 66th Japan Record Awards, it won the Grand Prize, marking the first-ever back-to-back victory by a band.
Kimisidai TrainONE OK ROCK
This ambitious work by ONE OK ROCK is marked by powerful vocals and a fast-paced, exhilarating sound.
Interweaving English and Japanese lyrics, it expresses a determination to move forward—believing in one’s own potential and drawing strength from past experiences.
The members’ passionate performance blends perfectly with a message that pushes listeners onward.
Included on the album “Zankyo Reference,” released in October 2011, it’s cherished as a staple in live shows that fosters a strong sense of unity with fans.
More than just a boost during sports day practices, this song serves as a source of support when standing at life’s crossroads or taking a new step forward.
earnest desireSUPER BEAVER
SUPER BEAVER’s deeply moving masterpiece that sings about the importance of human connections is included on their album “Ongaku,” released in February 2024.
The song gently conveys how an individual’s happiness is built with the support of many people and the warmth created by a chain of smiles.
The album “Ongaku” also features several tie-in tracks, including the theme song for the film Tokyo Revengers 2 and the anthem for the 103rd National High School Rugby Tournament.
It’s the perfect song for cheering on those practicing for sports days and field days, or for reminiscing about the memories of working up a sweat with your friends.