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.