Day: August 26, 2025

Aichi Nagoya 2026 will bring together people from all backgrounds to celebrate sportsmanship and the spirit of competition. From the beauty of synchronized swimming and the speed of track and field to the precision of martial arts, Asia’s best will come together in the heart of Japan for an exhilarating journey of athleticism and culture.

A number of different sports will be on offer, and all 45 National Olympic Committees that are members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) are expected to send delegations. In total, 42 events will be held, including 32 of the 40 sports that were part of the 2024 Summer Olympics and 11 additional sports and disciplines.

Cricket and Mixed Martial Arts have been formally approved as medal events at the Asian Games 2026, set to be held in the Aichi prefecture and Nagoya city from September 19 to October 4. MMA will make its Asian Games debut and be classified as a combat sport alongside kurash and jujitsu.

Having been on the schedule of the Asian Games since its inception, cricket will be making a return to the main event after missing out on inclusion at the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, China. In addition to the traditional multi-sport event, the Games will also feature a range of para-sports that are designed to showcase the skills of athletes with physical disabilities and help promote understanding and social participation by people with disabilities.

Many people rely on social media to stay informed about their favorite sports teams and players. Even when people watch TV broadcasts of a game, they’re likely to have their phone open to scroll through their social feed. That can have positive effects – but as Johnny Manziel’s story shows, it can also be damaging.

For athletes, a strong and consistent social media presence can boost their brand, deepen fan connections, and expand their revenue opportunities with team, league, sponsors and other partners. However, it can be challenging for them to balance their personal and professional life in a way that reflects positively on the sport and their fans.

In addition, with many fans around the world growing more and more invested in social justice and equality causes – including gender equity, racial justice, and climate change – they’re more and more likely to seek out athletes who align with those values on their platforms. That alignment strengthens their own personal brands, while demonstrating authenticity and a values-driven leadership approach to the public.

With fans around the world demanding to see more of their favorite athletes on social media, teams and their players must ensure they have a strategy in place for capturing content without interrupting their game. And with the average athlete’s personal social media following far exceeding a sports organization’s own channels, gaining the right support from the right partners is key to creating and maintaining a successful social strategy.