The Asian Games 2026 — the third to be hosted by Japan, after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994 — will be held from September 19 to October 4 with Nagoya as its focal point. The organizing committee has decided to include cricket and mixed martial arts in the programme, while open water swimming has been dropped.
The addition of cricket and MMA will help attract younger audiences. E-sports — which was introduced to the Games at the Hangzhou edition in 2018 — will also make a return with a new arena designed to accommodate thousands of fans and bring the action closer to spectators. Other changes include the inclusion of surfing and karate as well as the reinstatement of sepak takraw and kabaddi from previous editions.
Aichi-Nagoya 2026 aims to bring people together through sports by showing the power of “ONE ASIA” through the eyes of the athletes, who are the heart of the Games. The mascot, Ai-na, was created by artist Yuji Sakamoto, who has previously developed catchphrases, slogans and product names such as electronic money card WAON and the AEON supermarket chain.
All 45 National Olympic Committees who are members of the Olympic Council of Asia will be able to send delegations. The exception is Israel, which has been excluded since 1976 due to its disputed political status. However, the country will send a delegation in 2026 as it is allowed to compete in the Games based on its membership in the OCA.