Held every four years, the Asian Games are the continent’s largest multi-sport event featuring more than 40 sports and 45 countries and regions. The Games, organized by the Olympic Council of Asia, serve as a platform for international exchange and cultural connection in the region and beyond.
The 2026 Games will be Japan’s third time hosting this prestigious sporting event. The country first hosted the Asian Games in 1951 in New Delhi, and again in 1958 and 1994 in Tokyo and Hiroshima respectively. The 2026 Games in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City will be an opportunity to build upon the legacy of past events, further deepening the growing exchange within the Asian continent through sports.
MMA will feature six events in its Asian Games debut, classed as Combat Sports along with kurash and jijitsu. Cricket will make a return to the Games after its inclusion at Guangzhou 2010 and at Jakarta 2018, although matches were not accorded international status. The Organising Committee of the Games is in discussions with municipalities that have facilities for cricket to stage matches at a venue in Aichi Prefecture.
From the precision of martial arts to the speed of track and field, the heart of Japan will pulsate with the energy of competitors from across Asia as they showcase their athleticism. The Aichi Nagoya 2026 Asian Games promise to be an unforgettable journey of competition and camaraderie!