What are the Asian Games? Introduction to Aichi-Nagoya 2026
The Asian Games is the largest multi-sport event on the Asian continent, held roughly every four years under the authority of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), bringing together the region's best athletes across dozens of Olympic and continental sports. The 20th edition, officially known as Aichi-Nagoya 2026, is hosted across Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya in central Japan — the country's first time hosting the Games since Hiroshima in 1994.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official dates | 19 September – 4 October 2026 |
| Competition schedule | Selected sports begin as early as 10 September |
| Host region | Aichi Prefecture & Nagoya, Japan |
| Main venue | Paloma Mizuho Stadium (Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium) |
| Motto | "Imagine One Asia" |
| Sports / disciplines | 43 sports across roughly 70 disciplines |
| Gold medal events | ~468 |
| Venues | 53 venues across the Chubu region |
| Participating nations | ~45 (all OCA member nations and territories) |
| Previous edition | Hangzhou 2022, China |
| Next edition | Doha 2030, Qatar |
Athletes compete across the OCA's five recognised regional zones — Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, South East Asia and West Asia — making Aichi-Nagoya 2026 the most geographically inclusive sporting event on the continent, and one of the most-watched international multi-sport gatherings of the year. Expected visitor numbers across the Games run into the hundreds of thousands, spread across host cities including Nagoya, Toyota, Kasugai, Ichinomiya, Okazaki and Tokoname.
For live updates as the Games approach, bookmark our Asian Games 2026 event hub, where we'll be tracking ticket releases, schedule confirmations and travel advisories in one place.
Asian Games 2026 complete schedule
The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee released the full daily competition schedule in January 2026, confirming that several sports begin well ahead of the formal opening ceremony. Here's a snapshot of confirmed dates for some of the Games' headline sports.
| Sport | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Volleyball | 16 Sep – 3 Oct | Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium / Park Arena Komaki |
| Artistic Gymnastics | 20 – 24 Sep | Kasugai City Gymnasium |
| Badminton | 20 – 29 Sep | Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium |
| Handball | 20 – 29 Sep | Kasugai City General Gymnasium / Toyoda Gosei Memorial Gymnasium |
| Water Polo | 20 Sep – 3 Oct | Nippon Gaishi Hall Rainbow Pool, Nagoya |
| Esports | 23 Sep – 2 Oct | Aichi International Exhibition Center, Tokoname |
| Trampoline Gymnastics | 28 Sep | Kasugai City Gymnasium |
| Rhythmic Gymnastics (finals) | 2 – 3 Oct | Kasugai City Gymnasium |
| Opening Ceremony | 19 Sep | Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium |
| Closing Ceremony | 4 Oct | Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium |
This is a selection of confirmed sport dates. Athletics, swimming, sailing and other major disciplines run through the core Games window with detailed session-by-session timetables published on the official Aichi-Nagoya 2026 website — always confirm exact session times before booking non-refundable travel or tickets, since schedules can be revised.
Asian Games 2026 sports list
Aichi-Nagoya 2026 features 43 sports, spanning core Olympic disciplines alongside sports with deep regional significance across Asia. The full programme includes:
- Aquatics: swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming
- Athletics (track and field)
- Badminton
- Basketball (including 3x3)
- Boxing
- Canoeing / Rowing
- Cycling (road, track, mountain bike, BMX)
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Football
- Golf
- Gymnastics (artistic, rhythmic, trampoline)
- Handball
- Hockey
- Judo
- Karate
- Kabaddi
- Modern Pentathlon
- Rugby Sevens
- Sailing
- Shooting
- Squash
- Table Tennis
- Taekwondo
- Tennis
- Triathlon
- Volleyball (indoor and beach)
- Weightlifting
- Wrestling
- Wushu
- Esports (11 approved titles)
- Plus a range of additional regional and continental sports rounding out the 43-sport programme
Esports' inclusion has been one of the most closely watched storylines building up to Aichi-Nagoya 2026. After a 2024 proposal within the Olympic Council of Asia to move esports and other non-traditional disciplines like chess into a separate competition, the OCA's executive board confirmed in February 2025 that esports would remain on the official 2026 programme, approving 11 video game titles for competition — a decision that continues to generate debate among traditionalists and esports advocates alike.
Asian Games 2026 venue guide
With 53 venues spread across Aichi Prefecture, planning which host city to base yourself in matters more at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 than at a single-stadium event.
- Nagoya: the Games' epicentre, hosting the opening and closing ceremonies at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, alongside water polo at Nippon Gaishi Hall and numerous other venues within the city itself.
- Kasugai: home to gymnastics (artistic, trampoline and rhythmic) at Kasugai City Gymnasium, plus handball at Kasugai City General Gymnasium.
- Ichinomiya: hosts badminton at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium.
- Okazaki & Komaki: host volleyball across two venues, Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium and Park Arena Komaki.
- Tokoname: home to esports at the Aichi International Exhibition Center, conveniently close to Chubu Centrair International Airport.
- Toyota & Inazawa: additional venue clusters supporting team sports and further disciplines across the wider Aichi region.
Planning tip: map every session you want to attend by city and venue before booking accommodation, and avoid crossing the region between tightly timed sessions on the same day — Aichi Prefecture is well connected by rail, but travel times between venue clusters can still eat significantly into a packed schedule.
Asian Games 2026 tickets guide
Ticketing for Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is handled through the official Organising Committee platform, with public sales already open, including direct access for overseas buyers.
- First-come, first-served: tickets are sold session by session and remain on sale until each date's allocation is exhausted — popular sessions (athletics finals, the opening ceremony, marquee team sports) are expected to sell out well ahead of the Games.
- Overseas buyers welcome: international fans can purchase directly through the official platform without needing a Japan-based agent or intermediary.
- Lock in priority sessions first: buy tickets for the sessions that matter most to you while seats remain, rather than waiting to build a full itinerary — high-demand sessions move fastest.
- Check venue and session details carefully: record the city, prefecture and exact session time for every ticket purchased, since several venues share similar names across different Aichi Prefecture towns.
- Watch for resale risk: only buy through the official ticketing platform — unofficial resale sites carry a real risk of invalid tickets for a major international event of this scale.
For the latest ticket release updates and session availability, check our Asian Games 2026 event hub regularly as the Games approach.
Flights to Japan for the Asian Games 2026
Getting to Aichi-Nagoya from the UK typically involves one connection, since direct UK-to-Nagoya routes are limited.
- Fly into Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO): Nagoya's main airport and the most convenient arrival point for most Asian Games venues, reachable via a connection through a major Asian or Middle Eastern hub from the UK.
- Fly into Tokyo and connect via Shinkansen: many UK travellers find better fare and schedule options flying into Tokyo Narita or Haneda, then taking the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train to Nagoya, a journey of roughly 100 minutes and one of the most efficient and scenic ways to reach the host region.
- Book early: as one of Japan's biggest sporting events in decades, expect flight and rail demand into the Chubu region to rise sharply as September 2026 approaches — booking several months ahead is strongly recommended.
- Consider a multi-city itinerary: if you're attending sessions across different venue clusters or want to combine the Games with wider Japan travel, an open-jaw routing (flying into one Japanese city and out of another) can work out more efficient than a strict return-to-Nagoya itinerary.
Compare flight options and start planning your route to Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on our flights page, or visit our Asian Games 2026 event hub for the latest travel guidance as the Games approach.
Hotels near Asian Games 2026 venues
- Central Nagoya: the most practical base for spectators attending a mix of sessions across multiple venue clusters, with strong rail connectivity to Kasugai, Ichinomiya, Okazaki and Tokoname.
- Near Chubu Centrair Airport (Tokoname): a convenient option if you're primarily attending esports or flying in/out frequently during your stay.
- Kasugai / Ichinomiya area: worth considering if gymnastics or badminton make up the bulk of your schedule, cutting down on daily travel time.
- Book early and expect elevated pricing: as Japan's first Asian Games host city in over 30 years, hotel demand across the Chubu region is expected to be exceptionally high through September and early October 2026 — securing accommodation as early as possible is strongly advised, particularly for the opening ceremony period.
Asian Games 2026 medal table
The Asian Games 2026 medal table will begin filling in once competition starts on 10 September 2026, updated continuously through to the closing ceremony on 4 October. Below is the standard medal table structure — check back here and on the official Aichi-Nagoya 2026 and Olympic Council of Asia channels for live standings once the Games are underway.
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medal table will populate once competition begins on 10 September 2026 — check back for live standings. | |||||
For context, China topped the medal table at the previous edition, Hangzhou 2022, by a wide margin, with Japan, South Korea and India among the other leading nations. Aichi-Nagoya 2026's host-nation advantage makes Japan a strong favourite to challenge for the top of the table this time around.
Latest news: Asian Games 2026
- Full competition schedule released: the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC) published the complete daily event timetable on 13 January 2026, confirming several sports would begin before the formal opening ceremony.
- Esports programme confirmed: following debate within the Olympic Council of Asia about esports' place on the schedule, the OCA executive board approved 11 video game titles for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 esports competition in February 2025.
- Overseas ticket sales open: public tickets are now on sale to international buyers on a first-come, first-served basis, session by session.
- Asian Para Games confirmed to follow: the 5th Asian Para Games will take place from 18-24 October 2026 at the same main venue, marking Japan's first time hosting the event.
- Host nation build-up: as Japan's first Asian Games since Hiroshima 1994, Aichi-Nagoya 2026 carries significant national interest, building on the region's experience hosting major international events including EXPO 2005 Aichi.
We'll continue updating this section as fresh developments emerge — bookmark our Asian Games 2026 event hub for the latest.
Pakistan & India highlights: what to watch for
South Asia's two biggest Asian Games contingents both arrive in Aichi-Nagoya with genuine medal ambitions, built on markedly different recent trajectories.
India at Asian Games 2026
India enters Aichi-Nagoya 2026 fresh off a record-breaking performance at Hangzhou 2022, where the country recorded its best-ever Asian Games medal haul, passing 100 medals for the first time in the Games' history. That success was built on strength across shooting, athletics, badminton, wrestling, boxing, archery and hockey — all disciplines expected to again anchor India's medal push in 2026. With India's growing investment in Olympic-pathway sports ahead of a potential future home Olympic bid, Aichi-Nagoya represents another significant marker on that broader journey, and Indian fans and NRIs abroad will be watching closely across shooting ranges, athletics tracks and badminton courts throughout the Games.
Pakistan at Asian Games 2026
Pakistan's Asian Games story has historically centred on hockey, once the country's flagship sport at the Games with multiple past golds, alongside consistent contributions from wrestling, athletics and squash. While recent editions have seen a more modest overall medal tally than Pakistan's golden era, Aichi-Nagoya 2026 offers a fresh opportunity for Pakistani athletes — particularly in hockey, where renewed federation investment and squad rebuilding efforts in recent years have raised expectations of a stronger showing on the biggest Asian stage.
Final squads for both nations across every sport are confirmed closer to the Games by their respective national federations and the Olympic Council of Asia — check official national federation channels for confirmed team lists as Aichi-Nagoya 2026 approaches.
Planning your trip to support Pakistan or India
If you're travelling from the UK to watch Pakistan or India compete at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 — whether for hockey, badminton, athletics or another discipline — start with our Asian Games 2026 event hub for the latest schedule and travel updates, and compare flight routes on our flights page.
Bonus: the 2026 Asian Para Games
Immediately following the Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya hosts the 5th Asian Para Games from 18-24 October 2026 — Japan's first time hosting the event — under the motto "Imagine One Heart." The Para Games feature around 502 events across 18 sports, with roughly 45 nations expected to compete at the same main venue, Paloma Mizuho Stadium, extending Aichi-Nagoya's role as a major international sporting host well into late October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Asian Games 2026?
The official Asian Games 2026 window runs from 19 September to 4 October 2026, though the released competition schedule shows selected sports beginning as early as 10 September, meaning medal events are underway in some disciplines before the formal opening ceremony.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 held?
The 2026 Asian Games are held across Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya in Japan, with the main stadium and opening/closing ceremonies at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium (Paloma Mizuho Stadium), and additional venues spread across the wider Chubu region.
What is the host city for Asian Games 2026?
Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, is the epicentre of the 2026 Asian Games, officially known as Aichi-Nagoya 2026, with venues also spread across other Aichi Prefecture cities including Toyota, Kasugai, Ichinomiya and Okazaki.
How many sports are in the Asian Games 2026?
Aichi-Nagoya 2026 features 43 sports across roughly 70 disciplines, offering around 468 gold medal events, making it one of the most extensive multi-sport programmes ever held at the Asian Games.
How many countries are competing in Asian Games 2026?
Asian Games 2026 is expected to feature all 45 member nations and territories of the Olympic Council of Asia, competing across five recognised regional zones: Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, South East Asia and West Asia.
What is the motto of Asian Games 2026?
The official motto of Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is "Imagine One Asia," reflecting the Games' aim of bringing together the diverse nations and cultures of the Asian continent.
When does competition actually start at Asian Games 2026?
While the official Games window opens on 19 September, the detailed competition schedule shows certain sports, including volleyball, beginning as early as 10-16 September, ahead of the formal opening ceremony.
When is the opening ceremony of Asian Games 2026?
The opening ceremony of Asian Games 2026 takes place on Saturday 19 September 2026 at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
When is the closing ceremony of Asian Games 2026?
The closing ceremony of Asian Games 2026 takes place on Sunday 4 October 2026, also at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
How do I buy Asian Games 2026 tickets?
Tickets are sold through the official Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee ticketing platform, with public sales open to overseas buyers on a first-come, first-served basis until each session sells out.
Can international fans buy tickets to Asian Games 2026?
Yes, overseas ticket sales are open for Asian Games 2026, allowing international spectators to purchase session tickets directly through the official ticketing platform rather than needing a Japan-based intermediary.
How much do Asian Games 2026 tickets cost?
Ticket prices vary significantly by sport, session and seating category, with marquee events like the opening ceremony, athletics finals and popular team sports typically priced higher than preliminary rounds in less high-profile disciplines. Check the official ticketing platform for exact pricing by session.
How do I get to Nagoya for the Asian Games 2026?
Most international travellers fly into Chubu Centrair International Airport, Nagoya's main airport, or connect via Tokyo's Narita or Haneda airports followed by a domestic flight or Shinkansen bullet train to Nagoya.
Are there direct flights to Nagoya from the UK?
Direct UK-to-Nagoya routes are limited, so most UK travellers fly into Tokyo (Narita or Haneda) or another major Japanese gateway and connect onward to Chubu Centrair Airport or take the Shinkansen bullet train, which reaches Nagoya from Tokyo in around 100 minutes.
What is the best airport for Asian Games 2026?
Chubu Centrair International Airport is the closest major airport to Nagoya and most Asian Games venues, making it the most convenient arrival point, though flying into Tokyo and taking the Shinkansen is also a practical and scenic alternative.
Where should I stay for the Asian Games 2026?
Choose accommodation around the venue cluster you plan to attend most, since Aichi-Nagoya 2026's 53 venues are spread across Nagoya city and several surrounding Aichi Prefecture towns. Staying centrally in Nagoya works well for spectators attending a mix of sessions across different venues.
What sports is esports part of at Asian Games 2026?
Esports remains part of the official Asian Games 2026 programme, held at the Aichi International Exhibition Center in Tokoname from 23 September to 2 October, with 11 video game titles approved by the Olympic Council of Asia's executive board.
Is esports controversial at the Asian Games?
Esports' place at the Asian Games has been debated within the Olympic Council of Asia, with a 2024 proposal to move esports and other non-traditional disciplines like chess into a separate competition. Esports was ultimately confirmed to remain on the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 programme with an approved list of game titles.
What is the Asian Para Games 2026?
The 5th Asian Para Games is the parallel multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, held immediately after the Asian Games at the same main venue in Aichi-Nagoya, featuring around 502 events across 18 sports for approximately 45 expected nations.
When is the Asian Para Games 2026?
The 2026 Asian Para Games runs from 18 to 24 October 2026, shortly after the Asian Games concludes, marking the first time Japan has hosted the Asian Para Games.
Will Pakistan compete in hockey at Asian Games 2026?
Pakistan has a strong historical presence in Asian Games hockey and is expected to field a team, subject to qualification and official squad confirmation closer to the Games by the Pakistan Hockey Federation and Olympic Council of Asia.
What sports does India typically medal in at the Asian Games?
India has traditionally performed strongly in shooting, athletics, wrestling, badminton, boxing, archery and hockey at recent Asian Games editions, and these disciplines are expected to be central to India's medal push at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
How did India perform at the last Asian Games (Hangzhou 2022)?
India recorded its best-ever Asian Games medal haul at Hangzhou 2022, finishing with over 100 medals across a wide range of sports including athletics, shooting, badminton and wrestling, and will look to build on that performance in Aichi-Nagoya.
How did Pakistan perform at the last Asian Games?
Pakistan's Asian Games medal tally in recent editions has been comparatively modest, with historical strength concentrated in fields such as hockey, wrestling, athletics and squash, and fans will be watching for a stronger showing at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
Where can I watch the Asian Games 2026 medal table live?
The official Aichi-Nagoya 2026 website and the Olympic Council of Asia's official channels provide the live, continuously updated medal table once competition begins on 10 September 2026.
Is this the first time Japan has hosted the Asian Games since 1994?
Yes. Japan previously hosted the Asian Games in Hiroshima in 1994, meaning Aichi-Nagoya 2026 marks the country's first time hosting the Games in more than three decades.
What is the next Asian Games after 2026?
Following Aichi-Nagoya 2026, the next edition of the Asian Games is scheduled for Doha, Qatar, in 2030.