The Asian Games will celebrate their 20th edition in 2026. Japan will host the Games, a feat not seen since the 1994 edition in Hiroshima. From September 19 to October 4, 2026, the country will host 41 sports and 66 disciplines. The 456 listed events will take place largely in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, but the venue map will extend to Tokyo, which will host swimming, diving, and equestrian. The 500-day deadline will be celebrated this Wednesday, May 7, and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is already in full swing.
MMA on the program, a boat to accommodate the athletes
The OCA Coordination Committee and the 2026 Games Organizing Committee, meeting last week, finalized the sports program, opting for something new: MMA will be included for the very first time, with six categories for men and two for women. Cricket will also have its place. "Cricket was not included in the provisional sports program due to the lack of a cricket stadium in Nagoya City and Aichi Prefecture. However, the OCA wanted cricket to retain its place in the Asian Games due to the sport's inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and its popularity, particularly in South Asia. The venue for the Games has not yet been determined, but it will be in Aichi Prefecture.", specifies the OCA.
Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa informed the committee that the main stadium for the Games, Mizuho Athletics Park, would be completed by March 2026. The meeting also clarified accommodation arrangements for the 15.000 athletes and officials expected next year. Organizers decided against building a village, instead chartering a cruise ship docked in Nagoya Port to house 4.600 athletes and officials. In addition, 2.400 athletes and officials will be housed in temporary villas at Garden Pier. The organizing committee and authorities also assured that they were working on contingency plans for the evacuation of athletes in the event of a natural disaster, tsunami, or high tide in Nagoya Port. "We are very pleased with the progress made so far.", said the chairman of the coordination committee, Tayyab Ikram, concluding this meeting.
Athletes at the 20th Asian Games are in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they stay on a luxury cruise ship docked at Nagoya Port — first-ever floating Athletes' Village in Asian Games.
— Olympic Council of Asia (@AsianGamesOCA) April 30, 2025
4,600 athletes across 20 sports, promising not just convenience but infinite memories. pic.twitter.com/3XSrkEWnsC
Kirsty Coventry on the front line
Members of the OCA Coordination Committee visited the port of Nagoya and the Ichinomiya Municipal Gymnasium, where badminton will be held. "The Japanese are very meticulous, I think we will have a perfect Asian Games in 2026, confides Manh Van Tran, member of the committee. I am very happy about this visit. There is a beautiful seaside environment, we will have a shuttle between the cruise ship at Kinjo Pier and the villas at Garden Pier, everything will be comfortable and convenient during the Games.
The OCA has confirmed that a torch relay will take place in August 2026, lasting one month. “Every Asian Games is special and we would like to make Aichi-Nagoya 2026 even more special. The OCA and the Olympic family in Asia will work to make these Games a unique experience.”, assures Tayyab Ikram. We would like to make these Games for the citizens of Aichi-Nagoya and Japan, which is why engagement with the local population is very important." Last but not least, the OCA took advantage of its press conference on Friday to announce that IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry has committed to attending the Games next year. She will also participate in the OCA General Assembly, scheduled for May 11 and 12 in Kuwait. This is a strong pledge of support from the leader of the Olympic Movement.
