The Asian Games, a multi-sport event, is held every four years and has a unique history as an important cultural event in Asia. The games are a symbol of the Asia-Pacific region, and are held as a way to promote international understanding and friendship. The mascot is the “Ever Onward” Sun in red with 16 rays and is inspired by the blazing sun of the Asian sky.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will be the 20th edition of the Asian Games and will be co-hosted by Japan’s Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City from September 19 to October 4, 2026. There will be 41 sports and 68 disciplines in this edition, and athletes from 45 national Olympic committees will compete.
In esports, there will be four more titles than at Hangzhou, with variants of PUBG and League of Legends added. India has a strong chance of winning medals in these events, with Pavan Kampelli having already won bronze in eFootball and Pokemon UNITE.
Esports will be a part of the Asian Para Games for the first time, demonstrating its contribution to social participation by people with disabilities. Also, Sepaktakraw is making its Asian Games debut as a medal sport, showcasing the strength of the global Sepaktakraw movement. In addition, MMA will make its Asian Games debut and be classed as a discipline under Combat Sports along with jiu-jitsu and kurash.
The Asian Games are the largest regional sporting event, with a total of 46 countries and regions sending athletes to compete in 2026. The host nations are also given the responsibility to ensure that all athletes from each country can participate, regardless of whether they are from small or large cities or remote areas. To achieve this, the host city and Aichi-Nagoya 2026 have drawn up a Host City Contract to clarify rights and responsibilities of both parties.