Asian Games 2026 opens in Nagoya with around 11,000 athletes from 45 nations

The 20th Asian Games opened in Nagoya on Saturday (September 19, 2026), with India among the nations fielding athletes across multiple disciplines.

The Games run until October 4. Over the next 15 days around 11,000 athletes from 45 nations are scheduled to compete across 43 sports, in 71 sub-events, with 469 gold medals at stake. This edition is the 20th and the third time Japan has hosted, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.

India enters seeking to build on its Hangzhou 2023 haul of 107 medals, including 28 gold. The Indian contingent will aim to defend both the men’s and women’s cricket titles as well as the men’s and women’s kabaddi crowns. India’s men’s hockey team also enters the tournament as the reigning champion.

The programme includes newer disciplines such as freestyle BMX, mixed martial arts, paddle surfing, teqball and virtual taekwondo alongside traditional events. Seven sports—archery, hockey, sailing, squash, surfing, tennis and triathlon—carry direct qualification quotas for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Live coverage in India is being provided on Sony Sports and Sony LIV.

Competitions for basketball, football and cricket and some other events have already started. The women’s cricket semi-final match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been delayed due to logistical problems. Pakistan Women’s Cricket team will take on the Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team in the first semi-final today.

The Games continue through October 4, with Olympic-qualifying competitions in seven disciplines and several title defenses, including India’s bids in cricket and kabaddi, remaining on the schedule. The first women’s cricket semi-final is set for today between Pakistan and Bangladesh.