Rugby Sevens at Asian Games 2026 scheduled for 1-3 October at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium
Rugby Sevens at the 2026 Asian Games will be held between 1 and 3 October at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, with a 12-team men’s tournament and an eight-team women’s event.
Rugby has featured at the Asian Games since 1998; the first two editions included both rugby union and sevens, while from 2006 only Rugby Sevens have been contested and the women’s event, introduced in 2010, has been a permanent part of the programme.
India will be represented only in the women’s Rugby Sevens at the 2026 Asian Games; the men’s team was not selected after failing to meet the Sports Ministry’s selection criteria for major multi-sport events. India are sending 13 rugby players and Shikha Yadav will captain the women’s side, which has been drawn in Pool B with China, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
Seven countries have won medals in rugby at the Asian Games; Japan lead the overall medal table with 11 medals (four gold, six silver and a bronze) and South Korea sit second with nine medals (four gold, two silver and three bronze).
Men’s pool fixtures listed include: China vs Malaysia – 5:30 AM; Hong Kong vs Uzbekistan – 5:55 AM; Thailand vs South Korea – 6:20 AM; Japan vs Kazakhstan – 6:45 AM; United Arab Emirates vs Singapore – 7:10 AM; Sri Lanka vs Philippines – 7:35 AM; China vs Uzbekistan – 11:45 AM; Hong Kong vs Malaysia – 12:10 PM; Thailand vs Kazakhstan – 12:35 PM; Japan vs South Korea – 1:00 PM; United Arab Emirates vs Philippines – 1:25 PM; Sri Lanka vs Singapore – 1:50 PM.
Men’s knockout and placement schedule entries include 9–12th place semi-final 1 – 11:45 AM (Onwards), 9–12th place semi-final 2 – 12:10 PM (Onwards), Quarter-final 1 – 12:35 PM (Onwards), Quarter-final 2 – 1:00 PM (Onwards), Quarter-final 3 – 1:25 PM (Onwards), Quarter-final 4 – 1:50 PM (Onwards), 5–8th place semi-final 1 – 7:10 AM (Onwards), 5–8th place semi-final 2 – 7:35 AM (Onwards), Semi-final 1 – 8:50 AM, Semi-final 2 – 9:15 AM, Bronze medal match – 2:40 PM and Gold medal match – 3:40 PM.
Women’s fixtures as listed include Thailand vs Kazakhstan – 8:00 AM, Japan vs Singapore – 8:25 AM, Hong Kong vs India – 8:50 AM, China vs Malaysia – 9:15 AM, Thailand vs Singapore – 2:15 PM, Japan vs Kazakhstan – 2:40 PM, Hong Kong vs Malaysia – 3:05 PM, China vs India – 3:30 PM; placement and final times include 5–8th place semi-final 1 – 6:45 AM, 5–8th place semi-final 2 – 6:50 AM, Semi-final 1 – 8:00 AM, Semi-final 2 – 8:25 AM, Seventh place final – 12:35 PM, Fifth place final – 1:00 PM, Bronze medal match – 2:15 PM and Gold medal match – 3:10 PM.
The rugby competition opens on 1 October at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium and will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports network, with streaming available via the Sony LIV app and website; Khel Now will provide ongoing coverage through its website and social channels.