Doha confirmed as host for next Asian Games after Aichi-Nagoya 2026 closing

The Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, concluded on Sunday, October 4, with the closing ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium. The tournament ran for nearly two weeks and finished with formal handover proceedings between Japan and the next host.

The host city’s final medal table saw India finish fourth with 85 medals — 21 golds, 27 silvers and 37 bronzes — while China topped the standings with 341 medals, including 169 golds. Japan placed second on total medals with 269, followed by South Korea with 150.

India recorded double-gold victories in cricket, hockey and kabaddi among its team events. Several individual performers were notable, most prominently trap shooter Neeru Dhanda, who won three medals — two golds and a silver — and was chosen as India’s flagbearer for the closing ceremony.

Representatives of the Qatar Olympic Committee were present in Aichi-Nagoya to receive the Olympic Council of Asia flag from Japan, a handover that formally completed the transfer of responsibilities. The 21st Asian Games will be staged in Doha, Qatar.

Doha will be only the second Asian Games edition hosted by Qatar and the second on the Arabian Peninsula; the city previously staged the Games in 2006 and, with a repeat assignment, would become the fourth city to host the continental tournament twice. The 2030 slot was intended to be the first of two consecutive Middle East editions, with Riyadh set to host in 2034.

The OCA Executive Board approved a proposal in February 2026 to shift the Games cycle to the year before the Summer Olympics, which would move Doha’s edition from 2030 to 2031 and Riyadh’s from 2034 to 2035. Despite that proposal, the OCA’s public calendar still lists Doha 2030, and Doha organisers have stated they are prepared to host the Games in either year while discussions continue.

Khalifa International Stadium is expected to be among the main venues for the Doha edition, and much of the infrastructure planned for use was constructed for the 2006 Asian Games and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Doha is confirmed as the next host city for the Asian Games, with the timing remaining under consideration following the OCA proposal; organisers say they can stage the tournament in either 2030 or 2031 as the calendar issue is resolved.