The Asian Games, the continent’s second largest multi-sport event following the Olympics, is held every four years among athletes from Asia. The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will be held from 19 September to 4 October 2026 in Japan’s Aichi prefecture, with the city of Nagoya as the heart of the events. It will be a very important event for all of Japan as it provides an opportunity to further deepen growing exchange with Asia.
New selection criteria to be followed
The Sports Ministry has announced stringent new selection criteria for Asian Games 2026, saying that only athletes with a “real chance” of winning medals will be considered for inclusion in the national contingent. The new policy also bars additional coaches and support staff, even if they are willing to pay their own costs. It is a marked change from the previous selection process, which was criticised as unclear and haphazard.
Esports to make its debut at Aichi-Nagoya 2026
A total of 11 esports titles will be contested at the Asian Games in 2026, including those that made their debut as medal events at Hangzhou 2023. The esports list was approved by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) during its 93rd executive board meeting in Harbin, China earlier this month. Indian esports players Pavan Kampelli and S8UL have shown promise in these events, with the latter finishing in the top four at the PUBG Asian Championships last December. The inclusion of esports is expected to boost India’s medal prospects at the Games.