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
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- 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 (1–10)
ikigai (a reason for living; the thing that gives one’s life meaning and purpose)NEW!SUPER BEAVER
SUPER BEAVER is a rock band that keeps pushing people forward with straightforward lyrics and a fiery rock sound.
Released in December 2025, this song was selected as an athlete-support anthem for Fuji TV’s coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
It has also been aired during broadcasts such as the All-Japan Figure Skating Championships 2025, amplifying the excitement of the grand stage.
The song carries a warm message that affirms not only victory and defeat, but also the effort it takes to get there and the gratitude toward those who offer support.
It’s a recommended rock anthem for the practice period leading up to the big day—like training for school sports days and athletic festivals—where teammates encourage one another as they build up each day.
Soldier, run.B’z
This is the song that became a hot topic as the commercial jingle for Lipovitan D and as a support song for Japan’s national rugby team.
Many of you have probably heard it on TV commercials.
The lyrics, depicting a figure climbing ever higher and higher, are really cool.
Let’s take on the fight together with our teammates.
ECHOLittle Glee Monster
Little Glee Monster may be strongly associated with upbeat, happiness-filled songs, but they can sing cool tracks too.
“ECHO” was selected as the theme song for NHK’s Rugby World Cup 2019 coverage, a powerful number that inspires people.
The five members’ passionate vocals will lift your spirits.
FateOfisharu Higedan Dism
The theme song of “Netto Koshien.” It colored the heated battles of the summer of 2019.
A song where the many intense emotions of youth fly about.
The lyrics don’t just show the beautiful parts, but also reflect realistic aspects of people, which resonates with listeners.
A soul-stirring track whose uplifting chorus is addictive.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you want to fire yourself up before playing.
Soul RevolutionSuperfly
From the intro, it’s full-throttle rock, and the coolness never lets up.
Shiho Ochi’s powerful vocals really fire you up.
You’ll be blown away by the soulful, powerful sound.
Listen to this track to motivate yourself and turn it into the strength to keep going.
Wishing you great results.
World In UnionYoshioka Kiyoe
Beyond victory, a radiant vista awaits us, doesn’t it? This song captures that shimmering world.
It’s a solo track by Kiyoe Yoshioka, the vocalist of Ikimonogakari.
It’s also a song that powerfully sings of the team’s bond, declaring, “You are not alone.” Let’s face victory with hope.
NIPPONShiina Ringo
This song was used as the theme for an NHK soccer-related program.
It has a solid reputation as a cheer song that rallies people across Japan, like saying “Go Japan!” With a blazing sense of speed and surging energy, it’s sure to give you a boost before the match.